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The Benefits of Dry Cat Food

Dry food can be very beneficial for cats, both nutritionally and behaviorally. Find out why! 


At Tiki Cat®, we talk a lot about cats’ need for wet food. That’s because cats are natural carnivores and have a naturally low thirst drive. This means they often don’t drink enough water. Feeding wet food, toppers and treats gives cats supplemental hydration.

So, does that mean dry food is bad for cats?

Absolutely not. A high-protein, low-carbohydrate dry food, like Tiki Cat® Born Carnivore™, offers many important benefits.

Why Should I Feed Dry Cat Food?

Supports Cats’ Natural Grazing
In the wild, cats ate multiple small meals throughout the day. With dry food, you can leave their food out for cats to instinctively graze upon. This is not possible with wet food, which would spoil if left out too long.

Helps Promote Dental Health
Chewing hard kibble may help prevent plaque and tarter buildup on teeth. However, whether you feed wet or dry food, you can maintain your cat’s dental health with regular teeth cleanings by your veterinarian.

Easy and Economical
A bag of dry food typically costs less than the equivalent amount of meals in wet food. And, one bag can last a while. So, it can be a good option for cat parents on a budget.

Why Choose Born Carnivore?

Not all dry cat food is equal. In fact, many dry cat foods contain fillers and carbohydrates, which are both unnecessary for cats’ diets and can cause weight gain, among other issues. Tiki Cat® Born Carnivore™, on the other hand, is:

  • High Protein. Low Carbs.
    Cats are obligate carnivores whose diets have not evolved much from their wild ancestors. They still need meat to survive, and their bodies cannot efficiently digest plants. We formulated Tiki Cat® Born Carnivore™ to mimic cats’ natural prey diet, with high protein from animal sources only, never processed plant proteins, and low carbohydrates.
  • Minimally Processed
    We use real, non-GMO ingredients; never fillers, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Each ingredient is purposefully selected, thoughtfully sourced, and prepared using simple methods to retain its natural nutrition.
  • Baked, Not Extruded
    Most dry cat foods are made using a process called extrusion, which uses extremely high pressure and temperature to cook and form the kibble. Tiki Cat® Born Carnivore™ is quickly baked and slowly dried. This helps maintain the nutrient value of the ingredients, and it also gives the kibble surface a naturally delicious, caramelized flavor.

How Should I Feed Dry Food?

Most cat parents feed their cats one of two ways:

  • Free Feeding – Following the feeding guidelines on the bag, they leave the recommended amount of dry food out for their cats to graze on throughout the day. If your cats prefers to only eat crunchy kibble, or they only eat little bits at a time, this may be a good feeding routine for them. 
  • Meal Feeding – For this method, cat parents feed their cats only at certain times, and discard any leftovers. This feeding routine allows you to incorporate wet food at meals, since it can’t be left out.

Whichever way you choose to feed, we recommend a high-protein wet and dry food to give your cat the many benefits that both provide. If your cat prefers dry food, whether by free feeding or meal feeding, you can add supplemental hydration by offering wet treats, like Stix™, or a scoop of wet food.

If you meal feed, you can serve dry and wet food either mixed, topped, or fed separately at different meals. With Tiki Cat®’s wide range of meals, toppers and treats, there are endless ways to incorporate dry and wet foods into your cat’s diet.

What’s the Best Way to Transition?

Gradually. If you’re switching to Born Carnivore™ from another dry cat food brand, we recommend transitioning slowly to help prevent upset stomach. Over the course of 7-10 days, gradually feed less of the old food and more Born Carnivore™. If you’re currently feeding Tiki Cat® wet food and want to introduce Born Carnivore™, start by adding a little bit to your cat’s wet food each day. Your cat is already used to a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet, so it’s generally easy on stomachs.

As always, be sure that your cat has access to plenty of fresh water in a source that’s appealing to them, such as a clean bowl or water fountain. Also, be sure to follow the feeding guidelines on the packages, and adjust amounts if you add toppers to prevent weight gain. If you have any concerns about how much to feed your cat, reach out to your veterinarian. We’re passionate about your cat’s health, but your veterinarian knows your cat best.



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