How Much Wet Food Should You Feed Your Cat?
Your furry friend comes running whenever you open a container of irresistible wet cat food. But since they quickly gobble it up, you may worry about overfeeding (IYKYK!). After all, you want to make sure your cat stays at their ideal weight. So how much wet food should you feed your cat?
This guide will answer those questions and offer tips for meeting your feline friend's nutritional needs to help them stay happy and healthy for a lifetime of purr-fectly mischievous adventure!
Table of Contents
Do Cats Need Wet Cat Food?
Obviously, your cat can survive on dry food alone, especially if you pick a nutritionally complete and balanced brand, like TEMPTATIONS™.
But experts recommend a mixture of wet and dry food for several reasons, including:
Hydration: Wet cat food has a high moisture content that helps keep cats hydrated. This is an important benefit since cats sometimes don’t drink as much water as they should. And increased water intake has been shown to decrease the risk of urinary tract health problems.
Texture: The soft texture of wet food makes it an ideal format for young and senior cats.
Protein: Cats need high-quality animal protein to help support strong and healthy muscles, and wet cat food offers just that.
Taste: Wet cat food is aromatic and flavorful, often enticing cats to eat more. Love it!
Variety: Imagine eating the same thing every day for years — boring, right? Offering both wet and dry food can keep meals interesting.
Calorie control: Wet food is less calorie-dense than dry food, making it a good option for when you’re watching your cat’s calorie intake.
How Much Wet Food Should You Feed Your Cat?
There’s no hard and fast rule about how much wet food to feed your cat. While the feeding guidelines on food labels can give you a pretty solid idea, the exact amount your kitty needs depends on several factors, which we’ll talk about below.
General Feeding Guidelines
An adult cat should consume approximately 25 calories per pound of body weight each day, give or take a little depending on their age, lifestyle, and activity level.
So that means adult cats need 1-2 servings per 5 pounds of body weight daily. For example, a 10lb cat should eat 2-4 servings per day if only fed wet cat food, like our Tasty Chicken Flavor Paté in Gravy.
But keep in mind that feeding your cat isn’t always so straightforward. Use this guideline as a starting point, but you’ll also want to consider your cat’s individual needs and talk to a vet to discuss the purr-fect feeding plan for your feline.
Age
Have you seen how quickly kittens grow? They need plenty of food to keep up with all that growth!
The energy requirements for young kittens is high and then lowers as they reach adulthood. Feed kittens two to three portions per day until about 40 weeks (or a full 12 months for larger male cats).
Likewise, senior cats have different nutritional needs and may need smaller, more frequent meals.
Weight
Cats come in all shapes and sizes, which means their nutritional needs vary. So the amount of wet food you should feed your cat also depends on their weight and ideal body condition.
Some cats are naturally bigger, while others never weigh more than six or seven pounds. It’s important to feed your furry friend the right amount for their breed and age, as well as their lifestyle.
If your cat is gaining too much weight, you’ll want to follow a feeding plan recommended by your veterinarian to help get them back to their ideal condition.
Energy Level
Does your cat spend most of the day napping on the couch, or do they have endless energy for playtime? An active cat will need more calories than a sedentary one.
Overall Health
Your cat’s overall health also affects their food needs. For example, if your cat is pregnant or lactating, they may temporarily need more wet food than before.
Type of Diet
What role does wet food play in your cat’s diet? Is it all they eat? Do you mix it with dry food?
If your cat only eats wet food, follow the feeding recommendations on the label based on their weight. For example, with Seafood Medley Flavor Paté in Gravy from TEMPTATIONS™, your cat will need 1-2 servings per 5 pounds of body weight daily.
But if you offer your cat a mixed diet of wet and dry food, you’ll want to adjust the portions accordingly. Talk to your vet to ensure your cat is getting its nutritional needs met.
Let’s look more closely at mixed feeds.
How To Mix Wet and Dry Cat Food
If you want to give your cat both wet and dry food, watch serving sizes carefully. It’s easy to accidentally overfeed your cat with this method.
First, pick a ratio of wet to dry food, such as:
2:1 (two parts wet to one part dry) is a common ratio for cats who need more moisture in their diet.
3:1 (three parts wet to one part dry) is another option if you’d like your cat’s primary source of nutrition to be wet food but still want to offer some of the crunchy benefits of dry kibble.
1:2 (one part wet to two parts dry) can work if you prefer feeding dry food but want to add a little wet food for extra hydration or variety.
1:1 (equal amounts of both types of food) gives your cat a balanced mix.
Once you’ve chosen a ratio, you’ll just need to do a little math to determine how much to feed your cat. For example, if you’re doing the 3:1 plan, your cat will need only ⅓ of the recommended serving of dry food.
Let’s say your 8-pound cat regularly needs ¾ cup of dry food daily. If you’re going with the 3:1 method, you’ll only give them ¼ cup of dry food. That’s ⅛ cup twice a day.
While that amount seems small, don’t worry! You’ll also feed your cat ⅔ of a serving of wet food. With the right combination of wet and dry food, your feline friend will get all the nutrients they need.
Tips for Feeding Your Cat Well
Now that you know how much wet food to feed your cat each day, here are a few feeding tips to keep in mind.
Offer Fresh Water
Cats need to stay hydrated to stay healthy. Always have fresh, clean water available. Some cats prefer running water, so you could try a fountain-style bowl if your cat seems uninterested in still water.
Pick Flavors Your Cat Loves
Like humans, cats have different tastes and preferences. Experiment with various flavors and textures of wet food to see what your cat enjoys most.
Some cats may prefer fish-based flavors, like TEMPTATIONS™ Seafood Medley Flavor Bites in Gravy, while others love our Tasty Chicken Flavor Paté in Gravy. You can also rotate flavors and textures to keep mealtime interesting.
Have a Plan for Wet Food Storage
You can’t leave wet cat food out all day. You’ll want to store leftovers — if there are any! — in the refrigerator to prevent spoilage.
In the fridge, wet food stays good for about three days. If your cat doesn’t eat it by then, you’ll need to discard it and open a fresh container.
Choose a High-Quality Cat Food
Your cat deserves the best, so make sure to choose a high-quality wet cat food. Look for one that:
Is made with high-quality ingredients, including real animal protein sources to support healthy muscles
Is packed full of 35 essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids
Offers mouthwatering varieties that keep cats coming back for more
TEMPTATIONS™ Adult Wet Cat Food is all of that and more. It’s 100% complete and balanced nutrition that cats can’t resist!
Account for Calories From Treats
It’s no secret that cats love treats! But if you treat your cat all day long, they’ll consume too many calories and could risk gaining extra weight.
Treats should make up no more than 10% of your cat’s daily calories, so you’ll want to keep track of how many you offer. It helps to choose a snack with only a few calories per treat, like TEMPTATIONS™ Classic Cat Treats.
Keep an Eye on Your Cat’s Condition
As we’ve mentioned, feeding guidelines are just recommendations. Your cat may need more or less food depending on their age and lifestyle. Keep an eye on your cat’s weight and overall condition.
Talk to Your Vet About Any Concerns
Your veterinarian knows your cat’s nutritional needs, so they’re the best resource for any questions or concerns about your furry friend’s diet.
They can help you determine:
How much wet food to feed your cat
How much dry food to offer
If supplements are necessary
Any changes in serving size or feeding routine that may be appropriate
Feed Your Cat What They Love With TEMPTATIONS™
Knowing how much wet food to feed your cat is an important part of being a responsible pet owner. The info above can help you find your feline friend’s purr-fect portion size to help them thrive for a long time to come!
At TEMPTATIONS™, we’re crazy about cats! And we understand that variety is the key to keeping your cat happy and engaged during mealtime. That’s why we offer a tasty selection of dry food, wet food, and treats.
Best of all, our dry and wet cat food is 100% nutritionally complete and balanced for adult cats. No matter which of our foods you give them, you can feel confident knowing that your cat is getting the right nutrients to support a healthy, happy life.