20.01.2022

What makes wet cat food popular? Untamed has the definitive answers!

Many debates divide cat parents, but one of the biggest push-and-pulls is between dry and wet cat food.

Wet cat food has a good rap in the pet food industry as it is rich in moisture and has a texture that mimics the natural feline diet. While it seems like the better choice, wet cat food can do more harm than good if it is made with low-quality ingredients. Even if you are an ultra-careful cat parent analysing food labels, you may struggle with the following:

• Cat refusing to eat a particular wet food
• “Premium” wet food making a cat sick
• Cat being allergic to the contents of specific products

Everyone keeps talking about a wet food diet being THE BEST for felines, but no one offers you the know-how on picking the right product for your cat. With that in mind, we have prepared this guide to help you tackle the various issues concerning wet cat food. We will:

• Cover the potential good and bad in your cat’s wet food of choice
• Explain how to choose top-tier wet food for your kitty

Wet food for cats—what do vets have to say?

Until a few decades ago, neither vets nor cat parents bothered much with the wet vs. dry cat food dilemma. Over the years, veterinarians have noticed that cats who eat only dry food tend to experience health issues easily avoided by introducing wet food to their diet. Let’s delve into the matter by:

• Examining dry food for cats
• Deciphering how wet food works:
• As a complete standalone meal
• In combination with dry food

Dry food—convenient meal vs. complete meal

Dry food is affordable, easy to serve, and convenient to store. It’s also widely loved by cat parents because of its long shelf life. Despite being a favourite, vets don’t recommend a dry-food-only diet because the following may occur:

1. Dehydration—A cat’s digestive system is accustomed to getting fluids from meat, so even the best quality dry food will fail to fulfil their hydration needs. Felines dependent on dry food tend to get dehydrated sooner, which leads to a drop in electrolytes, digestive problems, and urinary complications
2. Lack of quality proteins—This may not be a general problem but a brand-specific one. Many manufacturers use inadequate protein sources, aka slaughterhouse scraps (like hooves, feathers, and beaks), to produce dry food. Such ingredients are nutritionally deficient and:
1. May make cats lethargic and prone to mood swings
2. Cause them to lose vitality rapidly as they age
3. Other health issues—This is another brand-specific issue. Some manufacturers add an excess of fattening carbs to their biscuits—mainly grains and starchy vegetables—which can lead to severe health problems, such as:
1. Obesity
2. Diabetes
3. Heart and kidney ailments

Despite the downsides associated with dry food, one cannot deny the benefits in terms of providing the basic nutrients and being easy to store. It may also help with dental issues in cats because it contributes to the health of the gums. But, if you are looking for a complete, nutritionally balanced meal for your cat, dry food may fall short of the parameters listed above.

While dry food is a good survival meal, we believe it shouldn’t be the only option for cats. If you want to improve the quality of life for your precious pet and help them thrive, you should introduce them to wet food.

Sometimes, I feel my food is just like your humour—dry and depressing.

Source: Surprise

The superhero of the feline diet—wet food ticks the right boxes

Cats are hardcore carnivores, so they don’t usually gravitate towards plant-based food—unless it’s the digestion-boosting cat grass. Since dry food tends to have less meat and more vegetable or grain fillers, many house cats may turn their noses up at it. Wet cat food usually contains adequate meat content that fulfils their nutritional needs and contributes to their overall welfare in the long run.

Check out the upsides of wet cat food in the table below:

What is in wet cat food that makes it so good?

Wet cat food gives felines the essential nutrients they need for growth and sustenance. Here are the top factors that make wet food a better choice for cats:

1. Perfect moisture content—Wet cat food contains the optimal moisture content that optimises renal and urinary health in cats
2. High quantity of proteins—Most wet cat food brands use proteins derived from meat. According to the UK Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association (PFMA), cats need the amino acid taurine to maintain eye, heart, and reproductive health. As taurine can only be found in meat, poultry, and seafood, meat-loaded wet food is the pillar of feline nutrition. You need to be careful when choosing the brand, though, as certain manufacturers offer cereal-based wet food with negligible meat content
3. Ideal amounts of fats and carbs—Cats need fats and carbs in small quantities for energy and metabolic processes. Particular dry foods pack more carbs than necessary, leading to a surplus of calories. Wet food usually offers the right amount of calories in the form of meat proteins
4. Right portions of vitamins and minerals—Whole meats (and organs) usually have an adequate combination of vitamins and minerals for felines. Cats consuming wet food prepared with quality meat typically don’t need supplements to get these essential micronutrients

Wet food works because it is a recreation of a cat’s raw predatory diet. Unlike fresh kills (rodents, birds, etc.) that can be contaminated with pathogens, wet food has the right taste, texture, and nutritional value and is prepared in sanitary conditions. 

Moisture treasure—Now we talkin’. Tis’, I definitely like!

Image (c) Untamed

Perfect! Wet food is the real deal, but do all cats like their food wet?

As proud cat parents, we may get into the nerdiest details about feline nutrition and the benefits of wet food, but it won't mean a thing if a cat disapproves of the food. Every product must pass the ultimate tasting test, especially for fussy felines.

Luckily, most cats like wet food because it:

• Is easy to chew and swallow
• Offers the fleshy texture cats love
• Has an appetising aroma
• Tastes delicious
• Keeps them chipper throughout the day

Kittens who grow up eating dry food may develop a preference for its texture, prompting them to reject the soft and light texture of wet food altogether. Here’s what you can do to help them transition:

• Start with small amounts of wet food and then gradually increase the quantity every day till they get accustomed to it
• Use their existing preferences to your benefit by adding wet food to their favourite dry food—this will prevent the initial shock and help your cat accept new food organically

My cat still rejects wet food! Now what?

Don’t worry if the step-by-step food introduction doesn’t work. Here are some alternative solutions that help with food transitions:

1. Switching to another brand—Some manufacturers use cheap, rubbery, and flavourless meat for their wet food recipes, which can be a turn-off for your cat. You can fix this issue by changing food brands. Many parents have reported that even the most finicky eaters change their minds when they switch to wet food containing meat from credible sources—like Untamed’s recipes do
2. Giving your cat some space—Cats can be suspicious of new food because of their heightened survival instincts. If your cat is prone to anxiety when changing food, you need to give them space. Once you leave them be, they will examine the food and accept it in their own time
3. Consulting a vet—If you have a particularly skinny cat with a sensitive disposition who refuses to eat, you should consult a vet to rule out eating disorders or health problems
4. Trying a different consistency—Wet food comes in various consistencies like gravy, jelly, sliced long chunks, and pureed pâté. Don’t be surprised if a cat who doesn't care about chicken gravy goes mad after tasting the same meat in the jelly form!

Transitioning may be an uphill battle initially—one demanding time and patience—but ultimately worth the effort once your cat's health and mood improve because of the well-balanced diet!

Gravy or jelly—will choosing one over the other make any difference?

Choosing between gravy or jelly food is an ongoing discussion among cat parents. Is the difference merely in terms of taste? What factors should you consider before picking one over the other?

The comparative analysis between gravy and jelly food rests on three aspects:

1. Meat content
2. Food sensitivity
3. Transitioning phase

Meat content

The meat content in gravy food varies from brand to brand. While some use meat-loaded recipes, certain brands add grains and dubious fibre sources to the gravy to compensate for the lack of meat.

Jelly food is essentially meat encased in translucent gelatin—what you see is what you get. Although the quantity is sufficient, the quality of meat may not be satisfactory.

Food sensitivity

Gravy products from some manufacturers may not be ideal for cats with a sensitive disposition due to:

• Overseasoning
• Gluten allergens
• Taste enhancers

Jelly food is a comparatively lighter formula. Most manufacturers bind the meat in plain broth, making it easy on the stomach. Keep in mind that some cats may be allergic to gelatin in jelly food.

Transitioning phase

If you are transitioning your cat from dry to wet food, the look or feel of gravy dishes can shock and confuse them, increasing the risk of food rejection.

Transitioning cats who find gravies “fishy” tend to accept jelly food quickly as it's low on seasoning and looks familiar.

The verdict

Despite the comparison above, we wouldn’t call one better than the other. It’s more about your cat’s preferences and what different brands have to offer in their gravy and jelly formulas. If you want to learn more about these competing food types, click on our guides below:

• Gravy cat food
• Jelly cat food

You can add both gravy and jelly meals to your cat’s wholesome wet food diet to keep them open to different textures.

The hole in wholesome—can wet food harm your cat?

If you are a super careful cat parent, no! But there are times when even wet food can cause significant distress to your cat. We have prepared a practical Q&A table to help you understand potential problems with wet food and how to address them:

Hunting the ideal wet cat food in the UK—what’s aye and what’s nay?

Image (c) Untamed

Your search for the complete wet cat food ends with Untamed!

It’s hard not to go mad deciphering different cat food labels in UK stores. Some avoid disclosing the complete list of ingredients they’ve used, while others bombard you with terms you don’t understand. If you are looking for the best wet food for cats from a reliable and transparent manufacturer, Untamed delivers in more ways than one!

At Untamed, we obsess over ingredients in your stead and only use those that adhere to the ethical cat food production values. We prepare our meals with the best quality human-grade meat rich in power components like taurine. Our philosophy—why make a cat consume third-rate meat that humans discard? 

You can visit our Recipes section to check out what we have to offer. Our lip-smacking gravy and jelly formulas are grain- and hormone-free, making them the most convenient hypoallergenic wet food for your cat!

Click here to order our trial taster pack at the best price. It will be love at first bite for your precious feline!

Untamed does not make compromises about quality!

Untamed is not about mass production. We prepare every meal with love, making sure cats get the nutrients they need. Here's what we swear by:

• Premium meat cuts—We prepare our food with the best meat and organ cuts. That’s why cats fall in love with our recipes instantly! You can choose from a range of animal protein sources for your feline companion—for example:
• Chicken breast and liver
• Tuna steak
• Salmon fillet
• Sardine and mackerel fillet
• Duck breast
• Shrimp
• Steam-cooking—We steam-cook our meals to preserve the original nutritional value, which often disappears when cooking food at high temperatures. The gentle processing also lends an authentic taste to our food that tempts your cat’s sharp senses!

Food cats can’t take their eyes off. Silly human, stop taking pictures and open up that can already!

Image (c) Untamed

Parents who opt for Untamed report the following benefits:

1. Improvement in poo consistency
2. Rise in energy levels
3. Improved muscle tone
4. Shinier coat and problem-free skin
5. No hairballs
6. Better immune response
7. Shorter healing process
8. Easier weight management
9. Delayed onset of age-related illnesses
10. No mood swings

Whole meats can indeed turn around the health of a cat—try Untamed and see for yourself!

Can I give Untamed to kittens?

When kittens start eating solid food, you need to give them enough proteins for healthy weight gain and muscle development. Many parents spend an extra quid on designer diets for younglings or resort to home-cooked meals, only to realise their little one keeps getting sick.

If you want to ensure your kitten grows up healthy, start introducing them to Untamed’s specially crafted food. We don’t label our products as “kitten food” because our hypoallergenic formula works for all ages. Also, our canned cat food prices are always reasonable, so you can make a feast for your furry friend without spending a fortune!

Struggling to manage feline diseases? Give our wet food a chance!

The causes of various feline diseases are rooted in an unhealthy diet overloaded with carbs and fillers. Untamed products can help in the prevention and management of the following conditions:

1. Obesity—Our food provides the perfect level of protein-based calories required for strength and sustenance. If your chubby furball is struggling to lose weight, turn to Untamed’s carb-free and well-balanced diet that supports weight loss
2. Diabetes—Our sugar-free food supports simple diabetes management in felines and helps keep the blood glucose levels balanced (along with the prescribed medication)
3. FLUTD—Feline lower urinary tract diseases (FLUTD) are a group of painful ailments triggered by insufficient hydration and are easily preventable with a regular intake of Untamed’s moisture-rich food

I want to check out Untamed’s canned food for cats—what’s the procedure?

To buy our canned cat food online, follow these steps:

1. Visit our TRY NOW page
2. Tell us more about your cat
3. Select a meal plan and place your order

Our wet cat food delivery service is super convenient—we deliver orders to your doorstep in no time with no added shipping fees. Once your cat approves our canned food, we will replenish your supplies at the same time every month! If you want to change the delivery cycle or add new items to the mix, let us know, and we will modify your plan right away!

Can I get wet cat food pouches instead of feline canned food?

We offer canned cat food only (expiry date three years) because the packaging is recyclable. Untamed is committed to protecting the environment, and pouches don’t support sustainable development. Our packaging material is eco-friendly, and we strive to leave a minimal carbon footprint.

As much as I love paw-marking my territory and my human—I would hate my carbon paw-print to hurt the environment.

Image (c) Untamed

Can I change my order?

Our subscription policy is completely transparent and client-oriented. If you want to cancel, freeze, or postpone any delivery, log in to your account 24 hours before and tell us what you want to do. We will honour your wishes, no questions asked!