If you’ve switched your cat to wet food to help with hydration, you may be a little concerned if you notice your cat is pooping less. After all, our pets’ bathroom habits are an indicator of health and something we monitor as dedicated pet owners.
Reviewed & Fact-Checked By
Dr. Nia Perkins
Veterinarian, DVM
Reviewed & Fact-Checked By
Dr. Nia Perkins
Veterinarian, DVM
The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
Cat poop can tell you a lot of things. If your cat isn’t pooping as much, it could be an indication that the food is satisfying its nutritional needs with less waste. As a result, less of it ends up as poop.
Wet Food and Digestion
If you think your cat is pooping less, you’re smart to be concerned. Your cat’s poop habits can give you clues about its health, such as whether it’s constipated, has a litter box issue, or may have a medical condition that’s making toileting uncomfortable.
Cats typically poop at least once a day. If you clean your cat’s litter box every day, you may notice that they may go a lot one day and not at all another day. Generally, this is normal and perfectly healthy.
If your cat is on wet food, you can expect less-frequent poop. Wet food more closely mimics the type of prey your cat would have in a wild environment—which is filled with moisture. Dry food not only takes away the moisture, but it may have preservatives and fillers that contribute to its consistency. Dry food also has more carbohydrates than wet food.
When your cat eats dry food, it has more waste that isn’t absorbed. With wet food, your cat may be absorbing nutrients more efficiently, leading to less waste and less poop.
Should I Feed Wet or Dry Food?
Both wet food and dry food have their pros and cons for your cat.
Wet Food Pros and Cons
Wet food has a huge benefit for your cat—more water. Cats are prone to conditions like urinary tract disease and kidney disease, so they may benefit from having the additional water content. Wet food is also more palatable for some picky cats, ensuring that they get the nutrients they need.
The downside of wet food is that it’s more expensive than dry food, so you have to consider if you can afford it. In addition, wet food usually comes in cans and doesn’t have a long shelf life—24 hours once opened and refrigerated. If your cat doesn’t eat all its food, you must either store it or discard it. This can lead to a lot of waste.
Dry Cat Food Pros and Cons
Dry cat food is cheaper than wet food, so many people choose it as the bulk of their cat’s diets. If you’re on a budget or feeding a whole houseful of cats, this may be the better choice for you. Dry cat food also has a longer shelf life, so you can buy a big bag to save money and make fewer trips to the pet store. It’s also suitable for puzzle toys and interactive toys.
That said, there’s a strong correlation between obesity and feeding dry cat food to your cat, which might be because of the feeding habits more than the food itself. Dry food lasts longer, so many people just feed their cats free choice. The food is put out for cats to eat whenever they want, so you can’t track how much your cat has eaten. Dry food is a harder consistency for cats with dental problems or missing teeth as well.
Mixing Wet Food and Dry Food
If you want the balance of both, you can mix wet and dry cat food. Many people take this approach and feed their cats dry food with a wet topper, ensuring they have plenty of food (at a reasonable cost) and all the moisture and nutrients they need.
Be sure to speak to your veterinarian about your cat’s specific dietary needs and find the best solution.
Conclusion
Wet cat food has many benefits for your cat (and you!), including more nutrient absorption, more moisture, and less-frequent poop. If you noticed your cat poops less on wet food, no worries—that’s expected. If your cat seems uncomfortable or goes prolonged periods without pooping, however, it’s best to consult with your vet to ensure there isn’t a health problem.
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Featured Image Credit: thodonal88, Shutterstock
