Wet food, dry food, or BARF - what should I feed my cat?

Wet food, dry food or BARF – what should I feed my cat?

Hardly any topic is as polarizing for cat owners as the question of the one right way to feed their feline friend. 

We want to reassure you and let you know: every type of food has its certain advantages and disadvantages, no matter whether it's wet food, dry food or BARF. Here you'll find out what makes each feeding method unique, what special features there are, and how to successfully combine different types in a mixed feeding approach.

Wet food – a can full of happiness

A can of wet food contains everything your cat needs to be optimally nourished. That's why it's called a complete food, which means no additional minerals or oils are necessary. Wet food contains pre-cooked ingredients and a high moisture content, which means your cat's hydration is already well taken care of with this feeding method. The intense taste and aroma lead to high food acceptance – and that's a real advantage for picky eaters. Thanks to its relatively low energy content, wet food is ideal for cats prone to being overweight.

To use wet food over several days, it must be stored airtight in the refrigerator. Unopened cans can be stored at room temperature.

How good a →wet food for cats is depends on its contents. For our products, we use only food-grade raw materials and select our meat and vegetables based on high protein content . With our wet food, you can be sure you're opening a can full of happiness for your cat.

Wet food at a glance

• A high-quality wet food contains all the nutrients your cat needs for optimal care (complete food)

• the high moisture content ensures good hydration

• wet food is rich in flavor and usually stimulates cats' appetites

• high acceptance and pleasant texture

• requires cool storage after opening and is only suitable for transport when sealed

Dry food – the bag with a crunch

If you choose a good dry food for your cat, this is also a complete food and provides your pet with all the essential nutrients.

Different types of dry food are mainly distinguished by their production method. Extruded dry food allows for high meat content, while cold-pressed dry food retains many natural nutrients. All types of dry food have a low moisture content and high energy content. Unlike wet food, you need to ensure your cat drinks enough additional water. Dry food can be stored airtight at room temperature and is therefore easy to transport. The long shelf life is also a real advantage. Many owners swear by dry food because of its dental care properties . The high energy content in a small amount of food is also reflected in the cost, so dry food is usually more affordable than wet food or BARF.

All our dry foods are grain-free and have an extra high meat content of up to 80%. Since we usually use only one type of meat (single protein), our dry food is highly digestible.

Dry food at a glance

• all essential nutrients your cat needs for a balanced diet

• chewing longer helps clean teeth, strengthens gums and teeth

• easy to transport and store, long shelf life with proper storage

• very economical and therefore often more cost-effective

BARF – a piece of nature in the bowl

BARF is based on the diet of wild cats – which mainly means: fresh, raw meat in your cat's bowl. In the wild, animals don't have cooked or pureed food – with BARF, this natural, species-appropriate eating behavior can be imitated, making it attractive for many owners. A balanced BARF menu consists of raw muscle meat, organs, bones, healthy fruits and vegetables, minerals, oils, and fats. A BARF menu must always be freshly prepared or requires storing the ingredients in the freezer, which is only possible with plenty of space or time. Also, the fruits and vegetables used should be steamed or blanched to ensure optimal nutrient absorption.

To make BARF safe and easy for pet owners, we've created the Pets Deli Fresh Menus. Developed with veterinarians, the pre-portioned menus are already in the ideal mix. In addition, we use only raw materials of food-grade quality.

Your pet gets all essential nutrients with our special mineral mix, which is perfectly tailored to the Pets Deli Fresh Menus. To ensure your cat absorbs all vital nutrients, you must always add a high-quality oil . Salmon, flaxseed, BARF, or omega-3 oil are especially suitable for this.

BARF at a glance

• most natural form of cat nutrition, transparent thanks to raw ingredients

• can be individually tailored to your pet's needs in case of allergies, intolerances, or elimination diets

• valuable oils and vitamins are good for skin and coat and help with dandruff and excessive shedding

• requires more time for fresh preparation or plenty of freezer space, transport only possible to a limited extent

Mixing food types – mixed feeding

BARF, wet food, and dry food – so far, it all sounds pretty good, you're probably thinking. Why not just mix them and take advantage of all types of food? That means your cat could, for example, get both dry and wet food. This can – if you keep two things in mind – look like this:

Forms of mixed feeding

When combining different feeding methods, the most common way is to give the different types of food separately. For example, your cat might get wet food in the morning and dry food in the evening.

But also the mixing of food types is an option for mixed feeding. Wet food can be mixed into dry food. Every cat tolerates this differently, so you should gradually get your pet used to it.

Varying food amounts

The right amount of food needs to be carefully calculated. Due to the high moisture content and thus lower energy concentration, wet food must be fed in larger quantities than dry food. The principle of mixed feeding generally works well for healthy cats with all three feeding methods. However, every cat is different, and your pet may not tolerate it right away or possibly not at all. Here, careful trial and patience

Quality is what matters

As you can see, every feeding method has its own advantages and disadvantages. That's why, from our perspective, it's impossible to say in general terms which is the one right way to feed. What's important for this decision is your own idea of feeding and the requirements that good food should meet.

In any case, cat food – no matter the type – should have high quality, meaning: high-quality raw materials, transparency in the ingredient list as well as an optimal nutrient dose. Healthy food should also contain no fillers, no sugar and no colorings or flavorings. We also stick to these basic principles for healthy, high-quality food to provide your cat with healthy and delicious meals every day.