Air-dried cat food
Air-dried cat food is made by drying meat slowly at a low temperature rather than cooking it under the high heat used for kibble, which means it keeps more of its natural texture and nutrients while still being shelf-stable and easy to store. It is generally more expensive than kibble, weight for weight, but you also feed less of it at each meal.
How it differs from kibble and wet food
Kibble is made under high heat and pressure, which is what gives it its hard, uniform shape and long shelf life, but that process also changes the ingredients more than a gentler method would. Air-dried food skips that high-heat step, drying the meat slowly instead, which is why it looks and smells noticeably different — closer to dried meat than to a biscuit.
Wet food, by contrast, is largely about moisture: pouches and trays give a cat a meal that is mostly water, which helps hydration and suits cats who do not drink much on their own. Air-dried food sits closer to dry food on that front — it needs rehydrating in the bowl or feeding alongside plenty of fresh water if hydration is a priority for your cat.
What changes in practice
Because air-dried food is more concentrated than kibble, you typically feed noticeably less of it by weight to meet the same calorie needs — check the pack guidance rather than assuming it scoops the same as a dry food you have used before. It also tends to cost more per kilogram, which is the trade-off for the gentler processing.
Storage is straightforward and closer to dry food than wet: once opened, keep it in a sealed container away from damp and it will keep for a reasonable time, without the same short window a wet food pouch has once served.
Choosing between the formats
If your cat drinks plenty of water on their own and you want something convenient to store and portion, our dry range covers that ground well and is the more budget-friendly everyday option. If hydration is a bigger concern — an older cat, or one prone to urinary issues — our wet range is worth building the diet around instead, with dry or air-dried used as a smaller part of the day.
Whichever format you choose, transition gradually over a week or so when switching, mixing the new food in increasing amounts with the old, to give your cat's stomach time to adjust.
This format, in stock
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
James Wellbeloved Hairball Adult Dry Cat Food Turkey
Single-protein turkey dry food for cats, with natural fibres to reduce hairballs
£24.65
Iams Hairball Dry Cat Food Chicken
Complete dry cat food built around a fibre blend for hairball control, wheat-free recipe
£12.50
Purina One Adult Cat Coat & Hairball Chicken
A complete dry cat food with chicken and fish oil, formulated for coat condition and hairballs
£19.29
Whiskas 1+ Salmon Adult Dry Cat Food
Complete salmon dry food for adult cats in a practical 1.9KG bag
£12.39
Whiskas Kitten Chicken Dry Cat Food
Complete chicken dry food for kittens, available in several bag sizes
From£3.19
James Wellbeloved Grain Free Adult Dry Cat Food Turkey
A grain-free turkey dry food for adult cats, with potato rather than rice or wheat for carbohydrate
£24.65
James Wellbeloved Kitten Dry Cat Food Fish
Single-protein fish dry food for growing kittens, excluding common allergens
£21.79
James Wellbeloved Senior Dry Cat Food Turkey
A single-source turkey dry food for senior cats, formulated with added joint-care ingredients
From£21.79
Whiskas 1+ Lamb Adult Dry Cat Food
Complete lamb dry food for adult cats in a practical 1.9KG bag
£12.39
Whiskas 7+ Chicken Adult Dry Cat Food
Complete chicken dry food for senior cats aged 7+ in an 800G bag
£6.09
Purina One Kitten Chicken
Chicken kitten food with added DHA, and a feeding guide from 6 weeks to a year
From£6.65
Purina One Sensitive Cat Turkey
A complete dry food for cats with sensitive digestion, built around turkey
£19.29
Common questions
- Is air-dried cat food better than kibble?
- It is a different process rather than a straightforward upgrade — the gentler drying keeps more of the food's natural texture and nutrients, but kibble is cheaper and more convenient for most households. Which suits your cat better depends on their preferences, your budget and whether hydration is a particular concern.
- Do I need to add water to air-dried cat food?
- Some owners rehydrate it slightly before serving, which can help cats who need encouragement to drink more, but it is not essential — check the specific product's guidance. If hydration is a priority for your cat, pairing it with wet food or a pet water fountain is a more reliable way to increase their fluid intake.
- Why is air-dried cat food more expensive than kibble?
- The slower, lower-temperature drying process is more involved than the high-heat extrusion used for kibble, and it typically uses a higher proportion of meat, both of which push the price up. You also feed less of it per meal because it is more calorie-dense, which offsets some of that difference.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.