My cat won't eat dry food, only wet. Is this healthy for my cat?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | unneutered | 3 months and 15 days old | 9 lbs
Hi. I noticed that Oliver doesn't like dry food. I'm feeding him wet food in the morning and I left the dry food out for all day at mid day. When I came back home from school, he doesn't even touch it. I take him to the vet but he was very fine. He only eats wet food. And also, I don't want to mix wet and dry food because i want him to make him satisfied that dry food alone is edible. I've tried to put some chicken broth, etc, and he eat it but only just a few bites. What should I do?
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on February 15th, 2018
It is quite alright if little Oliver does not eat dry food. Canned food has a higher protein and moisture content as well as less carbs than dry food. Cats do not "need" carbohydrates but do need a high protein diet, especially growing kittens. Feed a good quality canned food that comes from the can looking like a hockey puck. Read the ingredients and confirm there is named protein source of animal, not plant, origin. Avoid by-products and meat meals. Stay away from store or discount brands too, these typically contain low quality ingredients and more fillers.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on June 23rd, 2018
Thank you for submitting your question regarding your cats. It would be just fine to feed the Wellness canned food and the Wilderness dry, if that is what they prefer. Each dry cat food has a different amount of calories per cup though. So monitor them for any gain or loss of weight. To prevent this, you may need to adjust the daily amount of kibble offered. I hope this information helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on August 23rd, 2018
Some cats prefer canned food and some prefer dry. It is okay to just feed canned food as long as it is a balanced diet. It is actually better for some cats with urinary issues to be fed canned food because of the increased water content as cats in general are not avid drinkers. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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Published on May 20th, 2017
Cats do not have to eat canned, or wet food, as long as they have access to a high-quality dry cat kibble. Some cats do not care for canned food, and have individual food preferences, just like people do.
3Pet Parents found this answer helpful
I’ve had my kitten for almost 10 months now and I have failed to find a dry food that brings her to want to eat. She will eat only a few bites and then cover it up. I’ve tried many different brands and i am aferaid that she isn’t getting enough food.
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