Regardless of the type of cat food chosen, kibble, pate or mixed, it is advisable to apply it from a very young age because cats quickly refuse to change their habits. Find out how to make the right choice!
Advantages of kibbles over pates
Kibbles have several advantages over wet foods.
First of all, they allow the feline to get used to chewing and therefore to clean its teeth regularly, which is very good for its oral hygiene. Cats that eat this type of food have a more pleasant breath due to better circulation in the gums. The risks of tartar and plaque deposits are also minimized.
Less fatty than pates, cat kibbles have an excellent nutritional balance. They are also particularly appetizing thanks to their aroma. On the other hand, the cans contain about 80% water, so it will be necessary to offer it in larger quantities to obtain a nutritional value equivalent to that of the kibbles. As an example, 28 kg of kibbles provide the same amount of nutrients as 100 kg of pate.
Another important advantage is that dry food keeps much longer, so it is possible to store more of it in containers. In addition, unlike pates, they retain their aroma for a long time once served and are very easy to dose. Conversely, pates do not keep for more than 24 hours (in the refrigerator) once opened. All this forces owners to serve their felines only small quantities at each meal, to wait until the food is at room temperature (if kept in the fridge), and to change the bowl regularly to prevent its contents from drying, oxidizing or even mildew. Rather restrictive…
As you can see, a cat who likes kibbles will be easier to live with and will eat much more independently than a pate eater, who will tend to ask his owner more often for a refill or a change of plate. And thanks to the kibble dispensers, your little tawny will even be able to serve himself like a big one in your absence!
Also note that kibbles are easier to digest than pates, which are not recommended if your pet has digestive problems. Also, beware of the often high sugar content of pates when it comes to entry-level industrial products. And just as kibbles have less odor than pates, the stools of cats who eat dry food also have a less unpleasant odor.
Finally, unlike pates, kibbles come in several therapeutic lines depending on the health problem your pet is experiencing, like kibbles for sterilized cats.
Advantages of pates over kibbles
Despite this, the general preference of specialists for kibbles tends to fade over the years in favor of a rebalancing. The first advantage of cat pates is that they allow, thanks to their high water content (80%) a good hydration of the animal (even if it is advisable to always leave water available).
On the other hand, cats that feed exclusively or largely on kibble are much more likely to develop kidney failure, crystals or urinary stones. To avoid these kinds of infections, a fresh, unsoiled water dispenser should be placed next to the cat’s bowl at all times and it should be checked that the cat drinks regularly.
In addition, vitamins are better preserved in pates than in dry foods. Moreover, the entry level kibbles are made up of a lot of cereals (not essential to the cat’s strictly carnivorous diet) and very little meat. Thus, due to the large amount of starch present in their composition, kibbles are rich in carbohydrates but low in proteins, which is quite the opposite of pates, whose composition is much closer to the cat’s “traditional” diet in its natural state.
Finally, pates are considered more tasty and flavorful than kibbles.
How to find the right balance?
The best way is to alternate kibbles and pates (mixed diet) because these two types of food are very complementary. Ideally choose your products from the premium and super premium ranges, which are a little more expensive at first glance but are so much healthier and which, in the long term, will save you many visits to the vet. In case of doubt, ask your vet for advice.
