Dry food is convenient and shelf-stable. Wet food has the moisture your cat's body actually wants. For most cats, the answer isn't either-or — it's both.
Why moisture matters
Cats evolved to get most of their water from prey. A diet of only dry food leaves many cats chronically under-hydrated, which over years contributes to kidney issues.
A practical mix
Wet food twice a day, with dry food available for grazing, gives you the moisture benefit without the spoilage risk of leaving wet food out for hours.
Watch the calories — wet and dry foods have very different densities. A "half can plus half cup" rule of thumb almost never balances out.
