Is Wet Or Dry Cat Food Better For Sphynx Cats?

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Even though dry cat food addresses the most important dietary considerations for sphynx cats, namely that it helps prevent dental disease and is more calorie-dense to support the sphynx’s high metabolic rate, feeding wet food also has several factors weighing in its favor.

Sphynx cats have a unique genetic makeup that, besides their characteristic appearance, may also result in specific nutritional needs.  

It is recommended that the base of your Sphynx cat’s diet consists of high-quality veterinary formulated dry food with the occasional addition of high-quality wet food. Sphynx cats are prone to dental disease and have higher calorie requirements, and dry food is typically more calorie dense and helps prevent dental disease. Wet food is associated with a lower risk for urinary and metabolic disease and is therefore also beneficial to incorporate into your Sphynx’s diet.

Whether you choose wet or dry food for your sphynx cat, being able to identify good quality cat food is paramount as pet food is not nearly as strictly regulated as human food.

This article will not only provide the facts to help you decide between wet and dry food but will also arm you with the knowledge on how to identify a good quality cat food. Finally, we will also briefly touch on the topic of raw and home-cooked diets.

Special Dietary considerations for Sphynx Cats:

Sphynx cats have higher energy needs than furred cats for two reasons: they have a reduced ability to regulate their body temperature due to their hairless skin and require more calories to maintain their highly muscled frame.

In addition, it is thought that the same gene mutations that have led to their characteristic hairless skin may have caused changes to their dental enamel. Perhaps you’ve noticed superficial stains on the teeth of your Sphynx kitty? While it is not thought that these stains alone are a cause for concern, the hairless gene is associated with an increased risk of dental disease. 

When looking for the perfect diet for your Sphynx cat, the main considerations are a diet that will have sufficient calories and will minimize the risk of dental disease. 

The Age-Old debate: Wet Food or Dry Food?

Unfortunately, there is no clear-cut answer to this question. Both wet food and dry food have benefits and drawbacks. 

Before diving into the debate, it is essential to note that the quality of cat food can differ vastly. Unfortunately, pet food manufacturing does not have to oblige to the same stringent rules that human food manufacturing has. Therefore there are many loopholes that manufacturers can use to make the food appear better than it actually is.

For this reason, you should always aim to acquire cat food from trusted manufacturers that have been veterinary nutritionists formulated and quality controlled. Good examples of high-quality veterinary formulated pet food include Hills, Royal Canin, Purina Pro Plan, Orijen, and Acana.

Wet Or Canned Food For Your Sphynx Cat

Cats generally are not good water drinkers, and providing wet food may help ensure adequate water intake as wet food usually contains about 80% water. An increased water intake is beneficial, especially if your Sphynx has a history of kidney or bladder disease or has diabetes.

Wet food is generally more palatable and may be beneficial for feeding older cats or cats with chronic diseases that may be less motivated to eat. Although obesity is rarely seen in the Sphynx breed, obese cats may benefit from a canned diet because the higher water content will make them feel fuller. 

Wet food is associated with an increased risk of dental disease, as it is more likely to stick to the teeth and allow a buildup of tartar. If you choose to feed your Sphynx a wet food diet, be sure to schedule regular dental checkups with your veterinarian and implement regular tooth brushing sessions with your kitty at home. 

Besides the extra dental maintenance, feeding a wet food diet is likely to be heavier on your wallet and more challenging to manage. In addition, wet food is more expensive than dry food, and uneaten wet food cannot be allowed to lie and must be discarded, as it spoils quickly. 

Good examples of high-quality wet food for your sphynx include Purina Pro Plan and Hill’s Science Diet.

Dry Food For Your Sphynx Cat 

Dry food is cheaper than wet food and is more versatile. Since Sphynx cats are highly energetic and intelligent, adding dry food into meal dispensing or puzzle toys may help them dispel some of their energy in an enriching way. 

Perhaps the most significant benefit to the Sphynx cat is the dental benefits that dry food may provide. Chewing dry kibble helps to mechanically clean the teeth and prevent the buildup of tartar, reducing the risk of periodontal disease. 

Some owners are concerned that as obligate carnivores, feeding their cats dry food could result in poor digestion, obesity, and diabetes. However, this is not always the case. Most dry food contains around 30% carbohydrate-derived calories as opposed to 10% found in most wet foods.

However, digestibility trials have shown that cats can happily digest dry food diets with as high as 35% carbohydrate-derived calories without any signs of gastrointestinal upset. 

Studies have also concluded that there is no link between a purely dry food diet and feline obesity and diabetes risk. 

The only significant risk of feeding a purely dry food diet is an increased chance of urinary disease, especially if your cat is eating a poorly formulated dry food diet. Cats on a dry food diet will produce smaller amounts of more concentrated urine which could predispose them to cystitis or urolithiasis (crystals or stones in the urines that may obstruct the urinary tract if large enough). However, by simply placing more water stations throughout the house or using a cat fountain, you can encourage increased water consumption in your kitty and limit the risk of urinary disease. 

Good examples of dry food for sphynx cats are the Royal Canin Dental or Hills Oral Care.

The Final Verdict

If your Sphynx cat does not have specific dietary requirements due to disease or age, any good quality cat food, wet or dry, will be suitable. If you choose to feed wet food, remember that your Sphynx’s teeth will need to be brushed every day (or at least four times weekly), and bi-annual dental checkups must be scheduled with your veterinarian. 

If you choose to feed dry food, implement measures like multiple watering points to ensure that your kitty is getting enough water to prevent urinary disease.  

How Do I Identify Good Quality Food For My Sphynx Cat? 

Selecting a pet food brand can be a challenging and often overwhelming task. Here are a few tips to help you identify the best quality food for your Sphynx.

A good brand will outline the following clearly on their website: 

-The brand employs a nutritionist who is board certified by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition (ACVN) or the European College of Veterinary Comparative Nutrition (ECVCN)

-The brand’s quality control guidelines meet the guidelines set out by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) or European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF)

What to look for on the label of a good quality cat food:

-The label must indicate that this is a “complete” diet containing all required nutrients. 

-The label must indicate which specific life stage the food is intended for. Ensure that the life stage on the label corresponds with your cat’s life stage to avoid nutrient imbalances.

-Contact details of the company must be listed

-Details of the manufacturer and distributor must be listed. 

Are Home-Cooked Diets Best For My Sphynx Cat? 

Home-cooked diets may be a good option as it is possible to formulate a diet specifically tailored to your cat’s needs, and you can utilize readily available ingredients. However, these diets must be scientifically formulated by a veterinarian who has specialized in nutrition, as generic recipes are not guaranteed to be nutritionally balanced.

Listings of veterinary nutritionists can be found on the American College of Veterinary Nutrition website. When feeding a home-cooked diet, it is also recommended that bi-annual veterinary checkups be scheduled to ensure that your cat is doing well on the diet and not experiencing any deficiencies.  

Are Raw Food Diets a Good Option For My Sphynx Cat? 

Some pet owners strongly advocate feeding raw food because it is more “natural”; however, the risk of these raw diets is well researched.

Raw food is more likely to be contaminated with bacteria like Salmonella, which may result in gastrointestinal upset. In addition, it may contain bones that could result in tooth fractures, intestinal impactions, or even perforations. There is also a risk that parasites like Toxoplasma may be shed in the feces of cats consuming raw meat, which may pose a threat to immunocompromised individuals of the family. 

Choosing the best food for your sphynx can seem complicated. In short, you need to look for manufacturers that employ veterinary nutritionists and who are transparent about the ingredients and the sources of the ingredients used in their products. Home-cooked and raw diets are often not recommended due to the high risk of nutritional imbalances and bacterial contamination, respectively. However, this does not mean that these diets are off-limits. If approached under the guidance of a veterinary nutritionist, a safe midway may be achieved; however, this may prove expensive and time-consuming.

Conclusion

While both wet and dry cat food has pros and cons, just as home-cooked, raw and mass-produced diets have different risks and benefits associated with each. The diet best suited for your sphynx should be evaluated on an individual level while keeping the following factors in mind:

  • Sphynx cats need higher calorie diets (dry has more calories per gram)
  • Sphynx cats are prone to dental disease (dry food is associated with a reduced risk for dental disease)
  • Dry cat food (especially lower quality or supermarket brands) is associated with an increased risk of diabetes and urinary disease in cats.

The bottom line is that you should always aim to buy the best quality veterinary nutritionist-formulated cat food that you can afford. While home-cooked and raw diets are gaining in popularity, the risk of nutritional imbalances due to improper formulation and the risk of bacterial contamination with raw diets carries a heavy weight.

The topic of nutrition can be complex and overwhelming. We hope that this article clarified some of the nuances surrounding specifically wet and dry food for your sphynx. Also, please remember that while most vets are not nutritionists, your vet will still be able to give sound nutritional advice to address the main health concerns for your sphynx cats as vets are in general well informed on how diet can influence specific medical conditions, so please do not hesitate to chat to your vet about what is best for you sphynx.

References: 

Dr. Annerien de Villiers

Dr. Annerien de Villiers graduated as a veterinarian from the University of Pretoria in 2018. She has since worked full-time in clinical practice tending to all kinds of companion animals in general practice. Serving the human-animal bond with care and compassion and making accurate information accessible to pet owners is at the heart of her driving force as a veterinarian.

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