When people talk about nutrition for cats, they usually talk about what type of cat food they feed their cats. And one of the more important concerns for most cat owners is what type of cat food is healthy; another is how much food they should feed their cats each day. Regarding cat food, according to the 2018 Dogminds.com Pet Industry White Paper, about 60% of cat owners in China will buy cat food online; about 75% of cat owners will choose the type of cat food to buy from other pet owners' reviews; 90% of cat owners will feed dry food, while 60% of cat owners will feed wet food.

I. How much-wet food to feed and when to feed it

You can feed your cat wet food every day. Check the can or consult your veterinarian for feeding advice. In general, you can feed a medium-sized adult cat about 3 pounds of canned food per day.
You should adjust this amount depending on whether you also feed your cat dry food. Your veterinarian may also recommend more or less wet food, depending on your cat's weight, health, and other factors.
You can feed your cat wet food at any time of the day. But remember, canned food should not be left out for more than a day or it may spoil. So, if your cat doesn't finish it, it's best to feed it at a time when you can help clean it up.
You can leave dry food out all day, so some owners will give their cats dry food in the morning. At night, they feed wet food and refrigerate the leftovers. You can do the opposite, or even mix wet and dry food into each meal. It all depends on your schedule and your cat's preferences.

II. How to store wet cat food

If you only feed your cat half a can or she doesn't eat everything you put on her plate, you can keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, says Purina senior nutritionist Jane Dempsey. If you have a lid for canned food, you can use that, too. Keep unopened cans at room temperature.
Unopened cans can be kept in the pantry for up to two years. However, the product shelf life may vary, so check the manufacturer's website for more information.

III. How to provide wet cat food

Most cats prefer wet food at room temperature. Your cat may not like cold food, so after refrigeration, you may need to let it sit for 15 minutes to come back to room temperature before serving.
Your cat may also like mixed textures, so try mixing her wet and dry cat food. To make things interesting, consider adding some toppings or supplements to her wet food. This even adds more variety and makes using mealtime more exciting.
These supplements are a great way to supplement your cat's diet and treat her to something special. Dempsey suggests just remembering not to exceed her recommended daily calories. You can find out how much dry food you should reduce when you add wet cat food to her recipe.

IV. How to choose a good quality wet cat food

You want only the best for your cat, so you want to choose the highest quality wet cat food possible. To do this, look for cans that claim to be "complete and balanced". This means that they will meet all of your cat's nutritional needs to help her stay healthy.
Some cats are picky, so you may need to try different varieties and brands before you find something your cat likes. Once you do, you can confidently make wet food a part of her daily diet.
If you've only fed your cat dry food, you may be wondering if your cat needs wet food. In nature, cats get most of the water their bodies need from their prey.
Because dry food is low in moisture, your cat needs to get moisture from a plate, fountain, or wet food. Feeding a mixture of wet and dry food, rather than just dry food, is a great way to help your cat get more moisture. There are many benefits to adding wet food to her diet.

V. 3 reasons why more wet food is good for your cat

1. Better hydration
Many cats do not like still or standing water. In nature, cats tend to avoid still water because it is usually a breeding ground for bacteria and insects. As a result, they may not like to drink from a cat bowl or dish.
Most felines prefer fresh water from a cat drinker or faucet to water from a dish. Cats can also feel vulnerable when drinking water, and this is not something they can do effectively.
Nevertheless, water is essential for body chemistry, temperature regulation, joint health, and activity. It makes up about 60% of your cat's body, so it is vital to maintain proper hydration by consuming enough water.
How can I get my cat to drink more water? Providing plenty of fresh water or even getting a cat water fountain can help. Another way to increase water intake is to feed wet cat food. While it does not completely replace water, it does help improve her overall hydration.

2. Promotes lean body mass LBM
Wet food is rich in protein, which helps to strengthen muscles. It also helps cats maintain muscle mass during adulthood and old age.
A cat's total body weight is made up of lean body mass (LBM) and fat weight. Muscles, ligaments, bones, and organs are considered LBM. organs and muscles are the main source of metabolic activity and help support many important functions such as immunity, mobility, etc.
As cats age, they naturally lose LBM. feeding wet cat food with a high protein content helps maintain LBM as cats age.

3. More flavors are added
Just as many people do not like to eat the same food every day, cats can also get bored with their food. Feeding only dry food may not always satisfy this craving.

By adding more wet food to your cat's recipes, you can satisfy her craving for fresh and exciting flavors and textures. Because canned wet food is so small, it's easy to buy a variety to see what your cat likes.

With so many flavors and textures to choose from, every meal will be an enjoyable adventure for your cat. Whether she likes the seafood flavor in a cream sauce, a more traditional chicken sauce, or if she prefers a hearty gravy, feeding wet food will satisfy her craving for variety.

VI. Other benefits of wet cat food

Wet food is easy to digest. In addition, it contains all the same essential nutrients as dry food, including vitamins and minerals such as iron, which supports healthy blood and tissue; zinc, which helps support the development of the immune system and helps maintain skin, eyes, and bones; and biotin, which helps regulate the release of energy from food and promotes healthy skin by helping to maintain skin integrity.

So, do cats need wet food? You may be able to argue that your cat is fine on dry food, but that only seems to be the case in the short term - after all, dry food is the commercial feeding option given to domesticated cats by humans. But feeding a mixture of wet and dry food or purely wet food can bring two major benefits to your cat -

1. Wet food will increase her daily water intake and provide her with the more flavorful options she wants.

2. Wet food is better for your cat's digestibility without the high starch content required for puffing, and cats are carnivores and can absorb more animal amino acids and nutrients.