Does Canned Cat Food Have a Lot of Water?

Canned cat food is wet cat food, so yes it contains a lot of water. In fact, the majority of the content in a can is water. Most commercial canned cat foods contain 78 percent water. In contrast, dry cat foods or kibbles typically contain 5 percent to 10 percent water. The drastic difference between the moisture content in the two types of pet food is a key consideration when deciding which type to buy.

  1. Benefits

    • The fact that canned cat food contains a lot of water offers benefits for your pet. Water is the most important nutrient a living being subsists on, so canned food helps ensure your cat gets more fluids than if it ate only kibble. Canned food's high moisture content helps prevent dehydration and promotes urinary and bowel regularity. Cats with constipation, kidney dysfunction and diabetes benefit from increased fluid intake. Also, the high moisture content of canned food contributes to a healthy weight, since water is filling but calorie-free. Wet food allows a satisfying meal with fewer calories.

    Drawbacks

    • The high water content of canned cat food has some downsides. For cats with urinary incontinence or difficulty getting to the litter box quickly, increased fluids can lead to more accidents and nighttime waking. Some elderly, sick and debilitated cats do better without the extra water, but they're often at higher risk for dehydration, so provide easy, unrestricted access to fresh water. Keep fresh water right next to all favored spots for such a cat. Wet food arguably doesn't provide the dental hygiene benefits many dry foods offer. Chewing dry food removes some food particles and plaque from your cat's teeth and gum line, while wet food doesn't -- and is more likely to stick to the teeth and gums.

    Other Nutrients

    • The water content of pet food is one consideration, but the rest of the nutrient makeup is important, too. Canned cat food is generally higher in animal-based protein and fats. These nutrients are essential sources of energy for felines. Canned food also tends to be lower in carbohydrates, which are not particularly useful to a cat's physiology; cats should get no more than 10 percent of their daily calories from carbs. Dry food tends to be considerably higher in starch and other carbohydrates, which may contribute to obesity; and many dry products include more plant-based protein and fats, which are less useful to the feline body.

    Water Needs

    • As a general rule of thumb, a healthy adult cat should get as much water in milliliters as the number of kilocalories she eats every day. Too little fluid intake results in dehydration, a life-threatening condition when left unchecked. Water needs vary depending on a number of factors, including but not limited to a cat's age, overall health, activity level, diet and caloric intake, as well as the weather. Allow your cat access to fresh water at all times. Discuss your cat's food and water intake needs with your vet, and whether he advocates feeding kibble or just canned food.