Published by: Ingrid King. Last Updated on: June 27, 2023 by Crystal Uys
Water is critical to keeping your cat healthy. Cats as a species don’t have a high thirst drive. While cats who eat only dry food will generally drink more water than cats who are fed a grain-free canned or raw diet, they still don’t get enough moisture to support all their bodily functions and essentially live in a constant state of low level dehydration, which can lead to bladder and kidney problems. ( For more on why dry food is not a good choice for cats, please read The Truth About Dry Cat Food.)
The easiest way to ensure that your cats get enough water is to feed a diet that’s high in moisture, and few diets have as high a moisture content (80%) as Weruva. It is important to note that Weruva does not add excess water. Their formulas are naturally high in moisture because they remove the dry bone from the meat cuts. They do not add in any fillers, and the use fleshy cuts of meat, which are higher in moisture.
I’ve previously reviewed Weruva’s diets, and they are on the small list of recommended brands on this site. The foods on this list are foods I either currently feed to Allegra and Ruby, or have fed to them in the past. This list is not meant to be exclusive, and it does not mean that there aren’t other really good diets out there. It means that these brands are the ones I’m comfortable with after doing thorough research. Brands can’t pay to get on this list – you’ll only see brands that I trust on the list.*
Quality ingredients
All of Weruva’s formulas are produced in a human food facility using many of the ingredients and processes that are used in products made for people – and, as you can see from the picture above, the food looks good enough to eat for humans. The first time I opened a can of the Paw Lickin’ Chicken formula pictured above, I had a flashback to my mom’s chicken fricassee – it looked just like this! Their base proteins of chicken, beef and fish include only top quality muscle meat, such as white breast chicken, whole tuna loins and select cuts of beef.
A good choice for cats with urinary tract problems
Because of the high moisture content and the quality protein, Weruva diets can be a great choice for cats with urinary tract problems, including kidney disease. There is some controversy regarding protein restriction for cats with kidney disease, and there is no conclusive evidence that it prevents further damage to the kidneys. Additionally, most of the so-called prescription kidney diets contain inferior ingredients, and are not very palatable. Many veterinarians now don’t recommend protein restricted diets until the very final stages of kidney failure.
Cats with kidney problems should, however, be fed a diet that is low in phosphorus. Weruva keeps phosphorus levels low by removing most of the bone from their formulas (bones are comprised of calcium and phosphorus.)
Why I like Weruva for Allegra and Ruby
Weruva’s formulas are a staple of Allegra and Ruby’s diet. (Please note that I only feed the poultry varieties. A large number of Weruva’s formulas contain fish, and while I approve of their fish sourcing, I still don’t recommend feeding fish-based formulas except as an occasional treat.) I feed primarily the basic Weruva formulas, as well as The Cats in the Kitchen and TruLuxe lines. The basic formula is a great choice for budget-conscious cat guardians, the other two lines are a bit more pricey, but as with any premium food, what you will spend in higher food expenses you will more than likely save in veterinary care costs.
The proof is in the litter box
Allegra and Ruby love all of the formulas. I like knowing that I’m feeding a food high in quality protein and moisture. And the proof is in the litter box: I always see far more urine output in the litter box following a Weruva meal than I do when I feed other brands. I also see considerably smaller stools after feeding Weruva, which is a sign that more of the nutrients in the food are being absorbed.
For more information about Weruva, please visit www.Weruva.com.
About the author
Ingrid King is an award-winning author, former veterinary hospital manager, and veterinary journalist who is passionate about cats.
