Dry Diet, Wet Mess: The Double Danger Lurking in Your Cat’s Bowl
- molly6383
- 9 hours ago
- 1 min read
When it comes to feeding cats, few topics spark as much debate as dry food. It’s convenient, affordable, and easy to store — but is it really good for your cat?
In this week’s Cat Talk Radio episode, Molly and Dewey unpack listener Doug Hines’ fascinating research paper, “It’s About Cats: The Impact of Dry Cat Food on Feline Hydration.” Doug uncovered what he calls the “double danger” of dry diets — a one-two punch of dehydration most cat owners never see coming.
Here’s the gist:
Kibble lacks water. With only 5–10% moisture, it falls far short of the 70–80% hydration found in a cat’s natural prey.
It steals water back. Once in the stomach, dry food absorbs saliva and gastric fluids, expanding and depleting your cat’s internal hydration even more.
The result? A recipe for chronic low-level dehydration, digestive upset, urinary issues, and even kidney strain. And that “dry food cleans teeth” idea? Both the WSAVA and AAHA say that’s largely a myth.
Molly and Dewey share practical ways to protect your cat’s hydration, from mixing water or broth into meals to adding fountains or switching to high-moisture foods.
👉 Tune in to this enlightening — and slightly soggy — discussion. Your cat’s kidneys will thank you!
🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or at CatTalkRadio.com
