Wet food

Wet food Glossary: Wet food is a high-moisture food, often over 75 percent water, packaged in cans, trays or pouches, with a low energy density per gram (FEDIAF). That high water content is more than a texture choice: it contributes meaningfully to hydration, which is of particular interest in cats, a species that drinks little spontaneously and is prone to urinary conditions such as [feline lower urinary tract disease](/glossary/flutd), so wet food is often part of preventing [dehydration](/glossary/dehydration) and supporting urinary health. Because energy density per gram is low, portion sizes look large compared with kibble, and feeding guidelines must be read accordingly to avoid both under- and over-feeding. Wet food is typically heat-treated and sealed, sometimes with [modified atmosphere packaging](/glossary/modified-atmosphere-packaging), which gives a long unopened shelf life governed by the [best-before date](/glossary/best-before-date), but once opened it must be refrigerated and used within days. The marker: wet food's defining feature is its water content, which lowers calorie density per gram and aids hydration, making it a useful format for cats and for weight management when calories are tracked. It contrasts with dry kibble made by [extrusion](/glossary/extrusion) and sits among the moisture-rich options, alongside [fresh food](/glossary/fresh-food), discussed in the [Petipedia glossary](/glossary).

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