- Wet and dry food can both be complete diets. Check the label says complete food.
- Wet food is mostly water, usually around three quarters by weight, against around 10% or less for dry.
- Per calorie, wet food costs several times more than dry food.
- Mixing works well. Split the daily calories between the two, not the grams.
On this page
Side by side
| Wet food | Dry food | |
|---|---|---|
| Water | 58% to 85%steamed recipes at the lower end | Around 10% or less |
| Calories per 100 g | 61 to 217 kcal | 296 to 444 kcal |
| Cost per 1,000 kcalmedian, complete foods in our range | Dogs $10.16 Cats $25.47 | Dogs $2.39 Cats $3.52 |
| Once opened | Cover, refrigerate and use within about 2 days | Keep in the closed bag, somewhere cool and dry; use within about a month |
| Works well for | Cats that drink little, picky eaters, pets who need more volume for fewer calories | Budgets, busy routines, larger dogs, puzzle feeders |
Why water matters most for cats
Cats evolved from desert animals and often drink less than they need. A cat on dry food alone takes in much less water overall than a cat eating wet food, and more water means more dilute urine, which supports the urinary tract. For cats, especially neutered males and cats with a history of urinary problems, adding some wet food is one of the most useful changes you can make.
Dogs usually drink readily, so for most dogs the choice is more about preference, cost and weight control.
Why wet food looks like more food
Because wet food is mostly water, a bowl of it carries far fewer calories than the same weight of kibble. A 400 g can of Gosbi Plaisirs Beef Stew provides about 329 kcal, roughly the same as 89 g of a typical dry food. That is why wet food helps pets that need to feel full on fewer calories, and why a bowl of wet food is never a "small" amount to switch for a scoop of dry.
What it costs per day
Using the median prices of complete foods in our range:
| All dry | A quarter of calories from wet | All wet | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 kg neutered dogabout 630 kcal a day | $1.51 | $2.73 | $6.40 |
| 4 kg neutered catabout 238 kcal a day | $0.84 | $2.14 | $6.05 |
For most homes, mostly dry with some wet is the sweet spot: the benefits of wet food at a fraction of the cost.
How to mix wet and dry
Decide what share of the daily calories comes from wet food, then work out the grams of each. The calculator does it for you.
Complete or complementary?
This catches many owners out. A complete food contains everything your pet needs and can be fed alone. A complementary food cannot: it is meant as a topper or a treat alongside a complete food. In our range, 18 of 87 wet cat foods and 10 of 43 wet dog foods are complementary. They are excellent for adding flavour and water, but should not be the whole diet. Every product page states which it is.
Complete wet foods to start with
Gosbi DelicatAdult Chicken & Salmon (pouch)From $1.75$1.57 on subscription
Gosbi NatsbiChicken (pouch)From $2.00$1.80 on subscription
Gosbi DelicatSterilized Chicken (pouch)From $1.75$1.57 on subscription
Gosbi NatsbiChicken (steamed)From $3.50$3.15 on subscription
Gosbi NatsbiFish (steamed)From $3.50$3.15 on subscription
Gosbi NatsbiChicken Lamb (steamed)From $3.50$3.15 on subscriptionQuestions
Is dry food better for teeth?
Standard kibble does little for teeth on its own. Daily brushing, dental treats designed for the job and regular checks with your vet do far more.
How long can wet food stay in the bowl?
Remove what is not eaten within a couple of hours, sooner in summer heat. Keep the rest of an opened can or tray covered in the fridge and use it within about two days.
Should I warm wet food?
Room temperature or slightly warm is more appealing, especially to cats. Never serve it hot, and stir after warming.
Can I switch between wet and dry from day to day?
Yes, as long as the daily calories stay about the same. If you change brand or recipe type, switch gradually over a week.
This guide is general information for healthy pets, not veterinary advice. If your pet has a health condition, is pregnant, or is losing or gaining weight unexpectedly, talk to your vet.