🥣 What Should I Feed My Cat?
Ah, the big question every cat parent faces — and an important one! Choosing the right food for your Devon Rex (or any cat) can feel overwhelming, but we’re here to help you navigate the basics.
🥫 Wet Food or 🍗 Dry Food? Let’s Talk About It.
Each option has its pros and cons, and what works best often depends on your cat’s individual needs and your lifestyle. Here are some key points to consider:
💧 Moisture Matters
Cats naturally have a low thirst drive and often don’t drink enough water on their own.
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Wet food provides much-needed hydration through the food itself — especially helpful for kidney health.
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Dry food lacks moisture, so you’ll need to make sure your cat drinks enough water daily. Consider a water fountain to encourage them to drink more (they love moving water!).
🍖 Protein vs. Grain
Cats are obligate carnivores — meaning their bodies are designed to thrive on a meat-based diet.
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Many cat owners choose grain-free foods to better align with a natural feline diet.
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Will grains harm your cat? Not necessarily. But some cats have sensitivities or allergies, so it’s worth observing how they react to grain-inclusive foods.
😸 Dental Care
Dry food is often promoted as being better for teeth due to its crunch, but here’s the truth:
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Most cats don’t chew kibble enough for it to significantly clean their teeth.
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A proper dental routine, possibly including vet-recommended dental treats or brushing, is more effective. Ask your vet during your kitten’s first visit about dental health.
🕒 Convenience & Lifestyle
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Dry food is easy to store, doesn’t spoil quickly, and can be left out for grazing cats.
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Wet food must be refrigerated after opening and shouldn’t sit out for more than 20–30 minutes. It’s a better option when you’re home to serve specific meals.
If your cat has weight issues, free-feeding may not be ideal. Instead, offer measured meals—wet, dry, or a mix—to keep their weight in check.
💰 Cost Considerations
You can spend a little or a lot on both wet and dry foods. What really matters is the quality of the ingredients.
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Higher-quality foods often come at a higher price, but they usually offer better nutrition and fewer fillers.
🧬 What’s in the Bowl? Nutritional Requirements
Cats require 11 essential amino acids to stay healthy:
Arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, and taurine.
Make sure your chosen food includes an AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) statement of nutritional adequacy. It may say:
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“For growth and reproduction”
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“For adult maintenance”
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“For all life stages”
Also check the guaranteed analysis for protein content:
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26% minimum for adult cats
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30% minimum for kittens and reproducing cats
💦 Don’t Forget the Water!
Hydration is key to kidney health. No matter what type of food you serve, your cat needs fresh water daily.
💡 Tips to encourage drinking:
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Use a cat water fountain to keep water moving and appealing.
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Change water twice a day, morning and evening.
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Wash water bowls frequently — not just refill them.
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Drop in a few ice cubes on warm days to keep it fresh and fun.
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We recommend using filtered water for extra purity.
👉 Want to know what not to feed your cat?
Check out our Dangers Page for a list of foods and substances to avoid.