With the evolving pet food landscape, cats today have several diet choices: kibble, canned food, freeze-dried mixes, or fresh raw and cooked diets with each boasting its own benefits for your cat. However, there are a number of pros and cons of each diet for feline health you’ll have to consider before picking the best diet for your cat.
Canned Food
Canned cat food is the most common wet diet. It’s usually made from fresh or frozen meats combined with water, then hermetically sealed in metal cans and heat-sterilized. The high moisture content at around 70% makes canned food very palatable and hydrating. For example, kibble contains less than 10% moisture which is seven times less water than canned food. The extra moisture from canned food helps keep cats hydrated, which is especially good for cats with kidney, diabetes, or urinary issues [1].
Pros of Canned Food
With the added hydration, it is very palatable for all ages from kitten to senior cats. There are a wide range of prices and recipes in the market with no refrigeration needed until it’s opened, making it a simple, convenient choice for most cat parents.
A research study on ‘The Effect of Diet on Lower Urinary Tract Diseases in Cats’ also suggests that the recurrence of urinary tract diseases in cats are lowered more than half, if affected animals are maintained on high, rather than low moisture content diets [2]. Wet food also often comes in bite-sized chunks, or in pates and purees which can benefit older cats with dental issues.
Cons of Canned Food
Additives are often included in processed canned food to maintain the desirable features of colour, flavour, texture, stability and resistance to spoilage of the food [3]. However, common thickeners (gums like guar, xanthan or carrageenan) which are used to give texture, can cause digestive upset in some sensitive cats. Additives to preserve shelf-life like BHA and BHT are concerning carcinogens that cause liver damage and tumors [4].
Additionally, the metal cans themselves can be a concern: tests have found that almost all cat food cans have polymer linings. A research conducted by Ecology Centre in 2017 found 95% of cans contained PVC-based coatings, and many contain BPA substitutes. To break it down further, 18% contained BPA-based epoxy resin and a whopping 95% contained a PVC copolymer [5]. Some of these chemicals can leach into food, which is a genuine worry for cat owners.
In short, canned food is convenient and hydrating, but watch out for gums and preservatives in the ingredient list. Choosing a high-quality, gum-free brand and wet food that comes in BPA-free packaging instead of metal cans will mitigate some issues.
Freeze-Dried Cat Food
Freeze-dried cat food is essentially raw meat that’s been frozen and dehydrated under vacuum. It contains almost no moisture and is shelf-stable without the need for preservatives. In production, the raw food is quickly frozen, then placed in a vacuum so the ice sublimates directly into vapor before controlled heat is applied to remove any last traces of moisture. This process yields a dry, lightweight product that preserves most of its nutritional values and heat-sensitive compounds.
Pros of Freeze-Dried Cat Food
Freeze-dried food, when compared to kibble — more on that later, locks in nutrients much better due to its processing method. A recent study learned that the freeze-drying process manages to retain more of the meat’s original vitamins and amino acids. Amino acids are the fundamental building blocks of proteins, which are essential for tissue repair, immune function, enzyme synthesis, and muscle development for cats [6]. They have a very long shelf life at room temperature and don’t require refrigeration. However, different from canned food or kibble, no artificial preservatives are needed since the moisture is gone.
Cons of Freeze-Dried Cat Food
Freeze-dried food has virtually no water, often only 2–5% moisture, which means it offers no hydration. Unless you mix it with water before feeding or ensure your cat drinks enough, a freeze-dried diet requires extra water intake. Cats are evolved to get most of their moisture from food, so a lack of water can stress their kidneys and urinary system.
Another concern is safety. Since freeze-dried cat food is shelf-stable and dried during the manufacturing process, another potential risk is that it involves no kill step, so there is a risk that these diets can still contain dormant pathogenic bacteria like salmonella [7]. This means freeze-dried foods must be handled safely, and they may be unsuitable for households with very young or immunocompromised family members.
Kibble
Kibble is the most commonly fed cat food in households by far, readily available at pet stores or veterinary clinics. It’s made by mixing meat, grains, vegetables, vitamins, and then extruding and cooking the mixture at very high heat and pressure before shaping it into pellets. The result is hard, crunchy dry food.
Pros of Kibble
Kibble is very convenient and usually the most wallet friendly option due to its cost effective manufacturing. It has a long shelf life and is normally used by cat parents who free-feed their cats. Due to its shelf-stable nature, it’s also good for cat parents who are not home during the day and rely on timed or portion-control feeders to feed their cats since it won’t spoil if left out overnight, unlike wet food. For cat owners on a tight budget or feeding multiple cats, kibble is a practical choice.
Cons of Kibble
The processing involved is extreme and has nutritional downsides. The extrusion process subjects the ingredients to high heat, which drastically reduces a lot of their natural nutrients [8]. For example, lysine, which is a vital nutrient cats need, is the most impacted by the extrusion process. It can lose up to 80% of the naturally derived amino acid. Not only that, the process makes the nutrients less bioavailable according to a study done on protein quality from extruded diets [9]. A research done on cooking of muscle meats with high heat is also linked with the formation of cooking-induced contaminants, which may contribute to the oxidation and destruction of nutrients [10]. To compensate and meet standards set by AAFCO or NRC, manufacturers must add back synthetic vitamins and minerals. However, synthetic additives aren’t as bioavailable as the original food enzymes and cofactors.
Another issue is composition. Kibble tends to be high in carbohydrates and fillers. Cats are obligate carnivores, but many dry formulas get 20–35% (or more) of their calories from starches and grains. For perspective, a vet analysis showed virtually all dry foods tested had at least 20% carbs on a dry-matter basis [11]. This is far above what a cat’s natural prey diet would provide. Diets high in carbs and low in meat can contribute to feline obesity and diabetes. In fact, research has found a link between feeding dry food and higher rates of obesity in cats [12].
In short, kibble’s convenience comes with trade-offs. It is dry and processed, often grain-heavy, with significant nutrient loss from heat. While one might argue, grain-free diets would be a better option, if done wrong, can also cause issues like Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (read more about grain-free diets). The industry adds vitamins to meet nutrition profiles, but these may not be utilised as well as natural nutrients.
Fresh Raw Cat Food
The category of fresh food can refer to either gently cooked or raw cat food which is made to meet your cat’s nutritional needs. A fresh diet is based on lean muscle meats, organs, and bone – essentially what a cat would eat in the wild – without the heavy processing of kibble or the additives in canned foods. While there are many fresh raw options available, some like The Grateful Pet provide “complete and balanced” recipes according to AAFCO/NRC standards for cats that provide all required nutrients a cat will need on a daily basis.
Key Benefits of Fresh Cat Food
Fresh raw meals have high moisture levels, similar to canned food but without the unwanted additives. This all-natural hydration supports healthy kidney and urinary function. With minimally processed ingredients, vitamins, enzymes, and amino acids remain intact so the cats are able to get nutrition in its most natural, bioavailable form. Fresh raw diets also avoid starches and fillers, focusing instead on high-quality protein and healthy fat as their ancestors’ diet did. In practice, many cat owners report that switching to fresh raw food improves coat condition, energy levels, and digestion.
Safety
Because raw food isn’t heat treated, pathogen control is important. Just as with freeze-dried diets, raw meat may contain pathogens if not handled properly. However, reputable raw food producers manage this risk with strict hygiene, routine testing, freezing or high-pressure pasteurisation. For instance, The Grateful Pet only sources ingredients from human grade suppliers and prepares meals in an AVS-licensed facility. All meals are blast frozen, a process that improves the safety of raw food by quickly reducing its temperature, helping to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli.
In essence, fresh raw diets give cats what they need in a natural form. They combine the hydration advantage of wet food with very high-quality proteins. Unlike kibble, there are no highly processed carbs, and unlike many canned formulas, there are no artificial gums or preservatives. This makes a raw diet one of the most species-appropriate choices for healthy cats.
Why The Grateful Pet Stands Out
Among fresh cat food brands that are available in Singapore, The Grateful Pet aims to deliver the very best quality. Our meals are AAFCO complete and balanced & NRC-compliant specifically for cats, meaning each recipe meets strict nutritional standards. We use 100% human-grade, lean muscle meats (like cage-free chicken, grass-fed beef, or cage-free duck) plus nutrient-rich organs and natural superfoods — essentially human-grade ingredients you’ll be able to feed with utmost confidence. We don’t use fillers or grains, so you won’t find corn, soy, by-product meals or artificial additives in our recipes. Importantly, BPA-free packaging is used for all freshly frozen meals and bone broths. Furthermore, by blast-freezing, The Grateful Pet locks in nutrients without the need for chemical preservatives.
In conclusion, compared to canned, freeze-dried, or kibble, a high-quality fresh raw diet gives cats more of what they need (moisture, natural bio-available nutrients, and animal protein) with fewer of the downsides.
Reference
[1] Wet Cat Food vs. Dry Cat Food: Which Is Better?—Cathy Meeks, PetMD, 19 Jan 2021 https://www.petmd.com/cat/nutrition/wet-cat-food-vs-dry-cat-food-which-better [2] The Effect of Diet on Lower Urinary Tract Diseases in Cats—The Journal of Nutrition, December 1998 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022316623023076 [3] Additives in pet food: are they safe?—Journal of Small Animal Practice, June 2021 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352299571_Additives_in_pet_food_are_they_safe [4] The Hidden Dangers of Preservatives in Pet Food Exposed—Animeal, 23 October 2023 https://animeal.in/blogs/animeal-blogs/dangers-of-preservatives-in-pet-food-exposed [5] Toxic Chemicals in Pet Food Cans - Findings—Ecology Centre, 23 June 2017 https://www.ecocenter.org/our-work/healthy-stuff-lab/reports/pets-beware-toxic-chemicals-pet-food-cans-test-results/pets-1 [6] Freeze-Dried Dog Foods Boast High Amino Acid Digestibility—Innovative Veterinary Care Journal, 16 May 2024 https://ivcjournal.com/freeze-dried-dog-foods-boast-high-amino-acid-digestibility [7] Freeze-dried diets for cats-yes or no?, VNG, 13 September, 2023 https://www.vngpets.com/blogs/news/freeze-dried-diets-for-cats-yes-or-no [8] The Impact of Processing on the Nutrient Content of Commercial Pet Foods—Big Dog Foods, 12 August 2025 https://www.bigdogpetfoods.com/guides/the-impact-of-processing-on-the-nutrient-content-of-commercial-pet-foods [9] Raw mechanically separated chicken meat and salmon protein hydrolysate as protein sources in extruded dog food—Journal of Animal Physiology Animal Nutrition, October 2017 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28045202 [10] Domestic Cooking of Muscle Foods—Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf., March 2018 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33350087 [11] Whats wrong with cat diets?—Walkerville Vet, 26 September 2015 https://www.walkervillevet.com.au/blog/whats-wrong-with-cat-diets
With the evolving pet food landscape, cats today have several diet choices: kibble, canned food, freeze-dried mixes, or fresh raw and cooked diets with each boasting its own benefits for your cat. However, there are a number of pros and cons of each diet for feline health you’ll have to consider before picking the best diet for your cat.
Canned Food
Canned cat food is the most common wet diet. It’s usually made from fresh or frozen meats combined with water, then hermetically sealed in metal cans and heat-sterilized. The high moisture content at around 70% makes canned food very palatable and hydrating. For example, kibble contains less than 10% moisture which is seven times less water than canned food. The extra moisture from canned food helps keep cats hydrated, which is especially good for cats with kidney, diabetes, or urinary issues [1].
Pros of Canned Food
With the added hydration, it is very palatable for all ages from kitten to senior cats. There are a wide range of prices and recipes in the market with no refrigeration needed until it’s opened, making it a simple, convenient choice for most cat parents.
A research study on ‘The Effect of Diet on Lower Urinary Tract Diseases in Cats’ also suggests that the recurrence of urinary tract diseases in cats are lowered more than half, if affected animals are maintained on high, rather than low moisture content diets [2]. Wet food also often comes in bite-sized chunks, or in pates and purees which can benefit older cats with dental issues.
Cons of Canned Food
Additives are often included in processed canned food to maintain the desirable features of colour, flavour, texture, stability and resistance to spoilage of the food [3]. However, common thickeners (gums like guar, xanthan or carrageenan) which are used to give texture, can cause digestive upset in some sensitive cats. Additives to preserve shelf-life like BHA and BHT are concerning carcinogens that cause liver damage and tumors [4].
Additionally, the metal cans themselves can be a concern: tests have found that almost all cat food cans have polymer linings. A research conducted by Ecology Centre in 2017 found 95% of cans contained PVC-based coatings, and many contain BPA substitutes. To break it down further, 18% contained BPA-based epoxy resin and a whopping 95% contained a PVC copolymer [5]. Some of these chemicals can leach into food, which is a genuine worry for cat owners.
In short, canned food is convenient and hydrating, but watch out for gums and preservatives in the ingredient list. Choosing a high-quality, gum-free brand and wet food that comes in BPA-free packaging instead of metal cans will mitigate some issues.
Freeze-Dried Cat Food
Freeze-dried cat food is essentially raw meat that’s been frozen and dehydrated under vacuum. It contains almost no moisture and is shelf-stable without the need for preservatives. In production, the raw food is quickly frozen, then placed in a vacuum so the ice sublimates directly into vapor before controlled heat is applied to remove any last traces of moisture. This process yields a dry, lightweight product that preserves most of its nutritional values and heat-sensitive compounds.
Pros of Freeze-Dried Cat Food
Freeze-dried food, when compared to kibble — more on that later, locks in nutrients much better due to its processing method. A recent study learned that the freeze-drying process manages to retain more of the meat’s original vitamins and amino acids. Amino acids are the fundamental building blocks of proteins, which are essential for tissue repair, immune function, enzyme synthesis, and muscle development for cats [6]. They have a very long shelf life at room temperature and don’t require refrigeration. However, different from canned food or kibble, no artificial preservatives are needed since the moisture is gone.
Cons of Freeze-Dried Cat Food
Freeze-dried food has virtually no water, often only 2–5% moisture, which means it offers no hydration. Unless you mix it with water before feeding or ensure your cat drinks enough, a freeze-dried diet requires extra water intake. Cats are evolved to get most of their moisture from food, so a lack of water can stress their kidneys and urinary system.
Another concern is safety. Since freeze-dried cat food is shelf-stable and dried during the manufacturing process, another potential risk is that it involves no kill step, so there is a risk that these diets can still contain dormant pathogenic bacteria like salmonella [7]. This means freeze-dried foods must be handled safely, and they may be unsuitable for households with very young or immunocompromised family members.
Kibble
Kibble is the most commonly fed cat food in households by far, readily available at pet stores or veterinary clinics. It’s made by mixing meat, grains, vegetables, vitamins, and then extruding and cooking the mixture at very high heat and pressure before shaping it into pellets. The result is hard, crunchy dry food.
Pros of Kibble
Kibble is very convenient and usually the most wallet friendly option due to its cost effective manufacturing. It has a long shelf life and is normally used by cat parents who free-feed their cats. Due to its shelf-stable nature, it’s also good for cat parents who are not home during the day and rely on timed or portion-control feeders to feed their cats since it won’t spoil if left out overnight, unlike wet food. For cat owners on a tight budget or feeding multiple cats, kibble is a practical choice.
Cons of Kibble
The processing involved is extreme and has nutritional downsides. The extrusion process subjects the ingredients to high heat, which drastically reduces a lot of their natural nutrients [8]. For example, lysine, which is a vital nutrient cats need, is the most impacted by the extrusion process. It can lose up to 80% of the naturally derived amino acid. Not only that, the process makes the nutrients less bioavailable according to a study done on protein quality from extruded diets [9]. A research done on cooking of muscle meats with high heat is also linked with the formation of cooking-induced contaminants, which may contribute to the oxidation and destruction of nutrients [10]. To compensate and meet standards set by AAFCO or NRC, manufacturers must add back synthetic vitamins and minerals. However, synthetic additives aren’t as bioavailable as the original food enzymes and cofactors.
Another issue is composition. Kibble tends to be high in carbohydrates and fillers. Cats are obligate carnivores, but many dry formulas get 20–35% (or more) of their calories from starches and grains. For perspective, a vet analysis showed virtually all dry foods tested had at least 20% carbs on a dry-matter basis [11]. This is far above what a cat’s natural prey diet would provide. Diets high in carbs and low in meat can contribute to feline obesity and diabetes. In fact, research has found a link between feeding dry food and higher rates of obesity in cats [12].
In short, kibble’s convenience comes with trade-offs. It is dry and processed, often grain-heavy, with significant nutrient loss from heat. While one might argue, grain-free diets would be a better option, if done wrong, can also cause issues like Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (read more about grain-free diets). The industry adds vitamins to meet nutrition profiles, but these may not be utilised as well as natural nutrients.
Fresh Raw Cat Food
The category of fresh food can refer to either gently cooked or raw cat food which is made to meet your cat’s nutritional needs. A fresh diet is based on lean muscle meats, organs, and bone – essentially what a cat would eat in the wild – without the heavy processing of kibble or the additives in canned foods. While there are many fresh raw options available, some like The Grateful Pet provide “complete and balanced” recipes according to AAFCO/NRC standards for cats that provide all required nutrients a cat will need on a daily basis.
Key Benefits of Fresh Cat Food
Fresh raw meals have high moisture levels, similar to canned food but without the unwanted additives. This all-natural hydration supports healthy kidney and urinary function. With minimally processed ingredients, vitamins, enzymes, and amino acids remain intact so the cats are able to get nutrition in its most natural, bioavailable form. Fresh raw diets also avoid starches and fillers, focusing instead on high-quality protein and healthy fat as their ancestors’ diet did. In practice, many cat owners report that switching to fresh raw food improves coat condition, energy levels, and digestion.
Safety
Because raw food isn’t heat treated, pathogen control is important. Just as with freeze-dried diets, raw meat may contain pathogens if not handled properly. However, reputable raw food producers manage this risk with strict hygiene, routine testing, freezing or high-pressure pasteurisation. For instance, The Grateful Pet only sources ingredients from human grade suppliers and prepares meals in an AVS-licensed facility. All meals are blast frozen, a process that improves the safety of raw food by quickly reducing its temperature, helping to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli.
In essence, fresh raw diets give cats what they need in a natural form. They combine the hydration advantage of wet food with very high-quality proteins. Unlike kibble, there are no highly processed carbs, and unlike many canned formulas, there are no artificial gums or preservatives. This makes a raw diet one of the most species-appropriate choices for healthy cats.
Why The Grateful Pet Stands Out
Among fresh cat food brands that are available in Singapore, The Grateful Pet aims to deliver the very best quality. Our meals are AAFCO complete and balanced & NRC-compliant specifically for cats, meaning each recipe meets strict nutritional standards. We use 100% human-grade, lean muscle meats (like cage-free chicken, grass-fed beef, or cage-free duck) plus nutrient-rich organs and natural superfoods — essentially human-grade ingredients you’ll be able to feed with utmost confidence. We don’t use fillers or grains, so you won’t find corn, soy, by-product meals or artificial additives in our recipes. Importantly, BPA-free packaging is used for all freshly frozen meals and bone broths. Furthermore, by blast-freezing, The Grateful Pet locks in nutrients without the need for chemical preservatives.
In conclusion, compared to canned, freeze-dried, or kibble, a high-quality fresh raw diet gives cats more of what they need (moisture, natural bio-available nutrients, and animal protein) with fewer of the downsides.
Reference
[1] Wet Cat Food vs. Dry Cat Food: Which Is Better?—Cathy Meeks, PetMD, 19 Jan 2021 https://www.petmd.com/cat/nutrition/wet-cat-food-vs-dry-cat-food-which-better
[2] The Effect of Diet on Lower Urinary Tract Diseases in Cats—The Journal of Nutrition, December 1998 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022316623023076
[3] Additives in pet food: are they safe?—Journal of Small Animal Practice, June 2021 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352299571_Additives_in_pet_food_are_they_safe [4] The Hidden Dangers of Preservatives in Pet Food Exposed—Animeal, 23 October 2023 https://animeal.in/blogs/animeal-blogs/dangers-of-preservatives-in-pet-food-exposed
[5] Toxic Chemicals in Pet Food Cans - Findings—Ecology Centre, 23 June 2017 https://www.ecocenter.org/our-work/healthy-stuff-lab/reports/pets-beware-toxic-chemicals-pet-food-cans-test-results/pets-1
[6] Freeze-Dried Dog Foods Boast High Amino Acid Digestibility—Innovative Veterinary Care Journal, 16 May 2024 https://ivcjournal.com/freeze-dried-dog-foods-boast-high-amino-acid-digestibility
[7] Freeze-dried diets for cats-yes or no?, VNG, 13 September, 2023
https://www.vngpets.com/blogs/news/freeze-dried-diets-for-cats-yes-or-no
[8] The Impact of Processing on the Nutrient Content of Commercial Pet Foods—Big Dog Foods, 12 August 2025 https://www.bigdogpetfoods.com/guides/the-impact-of-processing-on-the-nutrient-content-of-commercial-pet-foods
[9] Raw mechanically separated chicken meat and salmon protein hydrolysate as protein sources in extruded dog food—Journal of Animal Physiology Animal Nutrition, October 2017 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28045202
[10] Domestic Cooking of Muscle Foods—Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf., March 2018 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33350087
[11] Whats wrong with cat diets?—Walkerville Vet, 26 September 2015 https://www.walkervillevet.com.au/blog/whats-wrong-with-cat-diets