Cat Only Eats Pate? Best Wet Food for Hydration

A picky eater who'll only accept pate — you're definitely not alone there, and actually it's really useful information because it tells us exactly where to focus. Quick background worth knowing: cats evolved in arid environments and have a naturally low thirst drive, so most cats on dry food are chronically underhydrated without realising it. Kidney disease is the leading cause of death in older cats, and getting enough moisture through food is one of the best preventive steps you can take. Wet food is ideal, and the fact you've already tried it is great — the texture just needs to match what your cat will accept. Before I point you somewhere specific: is your 6-year-old on dry food currently, or a mix? And has she had any urinary or kidney issues flagged by the vet?

That's really good news on the kidney front, and being proactive at six is exactly the right time — this is when habits genuinely matter for long-term health. The chunks-and-gravy rejection is a texture thing, not a wet food thing, and plenty of cats are exactly the same. Pate-style is actually a perfectly solid choice — it typically has high moisture content, no fillers from gravy, and cats who like smooth textures tend to eat it consistently rather than picking around bits. What I'd recommend is Applaws Natural Wet Cat Food in the pate variety. It's a high-meat, minimal-ingredient pate that's grain-free and has a very clean texture — no surprise chunks hiding in it. It comes in single-serve tins which is helpful when you're still establishing the habit, and the flavour range is wide enough that you can find what she gravitates toward. The protein content is genuinely high, which means less filler and more of what she actually needs.

A good target is replacing at least half her daily calories with wet food — that alone roughly doubles her moisture intake compared to dry-only feeding. Wet food is typically around 75–80% water, while dry kibble is under 10%, so even one full wet meal a day makes a meaningful difference. For a 6-year-old Domestic Shorthair at a healthy weight, that's usually one standard 70–85g tin twice a day, or you can do one wet meal and reduce the dry portion accordingly. If she resists the switch at first, start by mixing a small spoonful into her dry food and gradually shift the ratio over a week or two — that usually works well with texture-sensitive cats.

Wet food is the bigger lever — it delivers far more moisture than any drinking behaviour change will. That said, fountains do help because cats are instinctively more drawn to moving water than a static bowl, so it's a nice complement rather than a replacement. If budget allows, having both is ideal. But if you're choosing one to start with, get the wet food sorted first. Once she's eating pate consistently, you'll already have transformed her hydration. A fountain can come later as a secondary boost.