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Danny's Cats

Feeding and nutrition

Moisture content

Also called Water content, Wet vs dry food moisture

Updated

What is moisture content in cat food?

Moisture content is the share of a cat food's weight that is water. Cornell Feline Health Center puts canned food at 75 percent or more and dry food at 6 to 10 percent. It explains why a cat on wet food can drink little from the bowl while a cat on kibble has to drink most of its water.

How much water is in wet and dry cat food?

A lot more in wet food. Cornell Feline Health Center says canned cat food has a moisture content of at least 75 percent, which makes it a good dietary source of water, while dry food contains between 6 and 10 percent water.

Why does moisture content change how much a cat drinks?

A cat's water comes from both its food and its bowl. VCA notes that cats eating canned food do not have to drink as much as cats eating kibble. A 2025 review in the Journal of Animal Science found that cats on wet diets generally take in more water overall but drink less of it as free water.

So a cat on wet food that seldom visits the bowl may be getting enough water. What is worth noticing is a clear change from your own cat's usual drinking, which is a reason to call your veterinarian.

What to look for

  • Whether your cat's diet is mostly canned, mostly dry or a mix
  • A change in drinking after a diet change, which may have a simple explanation
  • A change in drinking with no diet change, which is worth a call to your vet

Judging a cat's water intake by the bowl alone

A cat on canned food gets much of its water at mealtimes, so a bowl that barely goes down is not by itself a sign of trouble. Compare against your cat's own normal on the same diet.

Questions about moisture content

Does adding water to dry food raise its moisture content?

Adding water to dry food does raise the water in the meal. VCA suggests adding small amounts of water to kibble and increasing it gradually, and going back to the usual food if your cat refuses it, because a cat should never go without eating. If your cat is on a special diet, ask your vet first.

Should my cat eat only wet food?

Whether a cat should eat only wet food depends on the cat, and it is a question for your veterinarian. Cornell describes canned food as a good dietary source of water and says cats should have clean, fresh water at all times whatever they eat, wet, dry or a mix.

Where this comes up

Sources