Ask ten cat owners which is better and you will get a firm answer either way, most of it about things that barely move the needle. Strip it back and the choice turns on a couple of points that actually do.
Water is the real case for wet
A cat's weak thirst drive is the whole reason this matters. Wet food is most of the way to water by weight, so a cat eating it takes in far more moisture than one crunching dry biscuits and topping up at the bowl — which many cats simply do not do well. For a cat prone to urinary or kidney trouble, that extra hydration is the single strongest argument on the table.
The teeth myth
The most repeated case for dry food is that crunching it cleans the teeth. It mostly does not. Ordinary kibble shatters on the first bite rather than scrubbing along the gumline, and the plaque that causes trouble sits where a shattered biscuit never reaches. Dental health comes from brushing, from vet cleanings and from products designed for the job, not from the shape of the food.
Calories, cost and what suits the cat
Dry food is calorie-dense and easy to leave out all day, which is convenient and also how a lot of cats quietly become overweight; wet food is lower in calories for its bulk and usually served in portions. Dry keeps and costs less, wet spoils and costs more. Plenty of owners land on a mix, and the honest answer to which is best is that it depends on the individual cat — a decision worth making with your vet if the cat has a weight, urinary or kidney issue.
Is wet or dry food better for cats?
Neither wins outright. Wet food helps with hydration, which matters a great deal for cats; dry is cheaper and more convenient but easier to overfeed. Many cats do well on a mix, and a cat with a health issue is one to decide with the vet.
Does dry food clean a cat's teeth?
Largely no. Most kibble shatters rather than scrubbing the teeth, and does little for the plaque that causes disease. Dental care comes from brushing and veterinary cleaning, not from feeding dry food.
Why does hydration matter so much for cats?
Cats have a low thirst drive and often do not drink enough to make up for a dry diet, which can strain the urinary tract and kidneys. Wet food delivers water with the meal, sidestepping the problem.