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Feline Nutrition•4 min read•October 15, 2025

Why Moisture Matters: The Hydration Blueprint for Cats

Cats are biologically adapted to receive most of their hydration through food. Here's why moisture-forward feeding matters.

By Raleigh Reserve Editorial

Why Moisture Matters: The Hydration Blueprint for Cats

Cats are obligate carnivores with a low thirst drive by nature. In the wild, prey animals provide roughly 70-80% moisture, meaning cats receive most of their hydration through food rather than drinking water. Raleigh Reserve maintains 83-84% moisture to mirror this biological design.

When cats eat moisture-rich food, they stay better hydrated without having to consciously drink more water. This supports healthy hydration and overall well-being.

Dry kibble, by contrast, typically contains only 6-10% moisture. Cats on dry-only diets must compensate by drinking significantly more water — something their biology doesn't naturally encourage them to do.