How to Transition Your Cat to New Food

Published A Few Days Ago
ADVERTISEMENT
fast facts

DisableScript
viglink
ADVERTISEMENT

Cats are known as being picky eaters. If you want to switch your feline to a new food, we’ve got some tricks to get picky cats to convert.

Upgrading your kitty’s diet is a great way to ensure she’s getting all of the nutrition she needs to both look and feel great. And as more pet parents become informed about the ingredients found in commercial pet foods, they want higher quality wet and dry meals for their beloved furry companions.

If you’re ready to transition your cat to a new diet, just beware that doing so could lead to digestive upset, so taking things slowly is the key. In this way, your kitty’s body can adjust to the new food without symptoms like diarrhea getting in the way.

Here’s what you need to know to make the switch:

Transition over the Course of 7-10 Days

A good tip to follow is to transition your kitty from her old diet to her new diet gradually over the course of about 7 to 10 days. Mixing the two foods gradually will give your cat a taste of the new food without shocking her system.

Begin with a mix of 25% of your cat’s new food and 75% of her old diet. Feed this for about two to three days. Slowly, increase the amount of new food so that you have a 50/50 mix for your cat to enjoy. After two to three days of half and half, you can move on to a mix of 75% of the new food and 25% of the old diet. Keep that up for another 2 or 3 days before you switch over to 100% of the new food.

Digestive problems like constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, or gas could occur at any point during this transition. If that happens, just slow down on the time between mixes to give your kitty more time to adjust to the new food – instead of two to three days per mixes, stretch it out to four to six days. Remember, every pet is different. But if problems persist, it’s a good idea to contact your veterinarian.

Trick a Picky Kitty

Cats are creatures of habit, so dealing with a picky kitty is common. They like what they like and they aren’t big fans of change, especially when it comes to their diet. But there are things that you can do to entice your pet to eat a new food:

    New and Improved Wellness Options

    Are you ready to feed your pet a higher quality canned or dry food? Wellness is renovating and re-launching their existing dry and wet food lines for felines, making them better than ever.

    Here’s what your cat is in for:

    • carrageenan-free, and free of meat byproducts, fillers, and artificial flavors

    With Wellness’s new, healthier cat food, you’ll likely find her begging for more. The key is to get her there gradually, and maybe even being a little clever when it comes to convincing her that a new food will be better than her old one. And once she gets a taste of Wellness’s new and improved line, she’ll definitely become a feline foodie!

    ADVERTISEMENT

    ADVERTISEMENT

    You May Like

    Beautiful Blueberry and Pumpkin Dog Treat Recipe

    Blueberries remind me of warmer weather – and I could sure go for some of that right now. But that’s not going to happen (unless I hop on a plane…

    Adoptable Dog of the Week-Chip

    Out Adoptable Dog of the Week is Chip, a 2 years old Terrier mix from Manhattan, Kansas. He is vaccinated, neutered, housetrained and very friendly.

    Celebrate “National Get a Pal for Your Pet Day” On November 19 [Vi

    It’s the perfect day to consider adopting a pal for your pet PetGuide.com is dedicating the month of November to multiple pet ownership and we were thr…

    Golden Cavalier

    The affectionate Golden Cavalier brings together the friendly nature of the Golden Retriever with the loving traits of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

    What Is FIP in Cats?

    Have you ever heard of FIP in cats? This serious viral disease can affect cats of all breeds and ages - here''s what you need to know.

    Cape Parrot

    The Cape parrot, or Levaillant''s parrot as it is sometimes called, is an exotic and rare parrot breed which captivates with its looks and personality.

    Boing! This Puppy Acrobatically (and Adorably) Defends His Home [Video

    This little guy’s willing to defend his territory by any means necessary … even if it means employing a little bit of acrobatic action. YouTube…

    Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoo

    The calm and docile behavior of the Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoo is very different from the energetic behavior that we''re used to from other cockatoos.

    Can Dogs Fly On Delta Airlines?

    Read on to learn can dogs fly on Delta Airlines and what you need to know before you embark on a trip with your pet.

    Emergency 911 Tips For The Prepared Pet Parent

    Help! Kevin Roberts has fallen and he can’t get up! Here’s what he learned about what it means to be a prepared pet parent during a human medical…

    J.M. Smucker Pet Food Recall for Euthanasia Drug Includes Gravy Train,

    The FDA is alerting pet owners about potential pentobarbital contamination in certain canned dog foods manufactured by The J.M. Smucker Company.

    Doodleman Pinscher

    The good-natured Doodleman Pinscher brings together the devoted Doberman Pinscher and the playful Poodle for a loving and protective family addition.

    Best Must-Have Dog Mom Gifts

    Dog (and pet) Moms deserve recognition, too! That’s why we’ve put together this list of Must-Have Dog Mom Gifts.

    New Puppy Checklist: What You Need Before You Bring Him Home

    Do you have everything you need for your puppy? We put together a new puppy checklist of essential itmes you should have before your furry addition arrives

    Turkish Woman Builds Ladder to Window For Cats To Come In From The Col

    A Turkish dentist has opened her home to stray cats during the winter. She''s built a ladder that leads to her window so they can come in and warm up.