Dry food should always be of high quality and contain all nutrients, vitamins and minerals necessary for cats. If that is the case then you can feed your cat this alone. The decisive factor is that the dry food is tailored to the needs of your cat. Several factors play a role in this – such as age, breed and life situation. House cats, for example, require less food than outdoor cats. For cats with sensitive digestion, dry food is often more digestible than wet feed. Chewing the bits is also good for cats’ dental care. It is important that your cat always has fresh water available for proper hydration. Unlike wet feed, dry food does not provide any liquid.

The age, weight and activity level of your cat also influence the amount of food. Outdoor cats generally need more food than indoor cats. The quality and composition of the food also play a decisive role – for example, how many calories it contains. Cat food manufacturers give general feeding recommendations on the packaging, which you can use as a guideline.

To get your cat used to dry food, you need to be patient. Cats are “creatures of habit”. In general, they are cautious when confronted with changes or unfamiliar things. So getting them to switch to a different kind of food can take several days or even weeks. It is best to mix a very small amount of the new food into the usual food every day. You increase this amount slightly each day – until the conversion is complete. Regular feeding times can help. It is important that your cat does not get any treats during the transition, because your well-intended snacks can spoil their appetite.