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

    Gen Y Dogma: And Puppy Makes Three

    When you meet “the one,” you just know… that you need to bring a dog into the mix. That’s what it was like when writer Christina Ped…

    Great Dane

    The Great Dane could be considered one of the noblest breeds and its general loyalty and friendliness also contribute to making these Danes great.

    Ellen Rewards Firefighters Who Pulled Dog Out Of Icy River With A Cari

    Firefighters do more than just put out fires – they also jump into frozen rivers to rescue dogs. And when Ellen DeGeneres heard about a team of Wellesl…

    Alexandrine Parakeet

    The Alexandrine Parakeet is a fun, playful, loving parrot that will make a fantastic companion to a responsible and a devoted owner.

    Study Finds That Classical Music Calms Kennel Dogs

    Pump up the tunes. Music soothes the stressed-out beast… or in this case, an anxious pooch. Whoever said “music hath charms to sooth the savage…

    Show And Tell: Pets In The Classroom Get An A+

    Non-profit organization Pets in the Classroom offers grants to help teach students about pets Growing up, my family always had pets as a way to help teach us…

    Dandie Dinmont Terrier

    The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a distinctive breed, thanks to the poof ball on the top of his head. The Dandie is ideal for both urban and country living.

    Netherland Dwarf Rabbit

    The Netherland Dwarf rabbit is one of the most popular rabbit breed in the world. These rabbits can be shy and slightly skittish.

    10 Misty Raincoats To Keep Your Pooch Dry

    Raindrops keep falling on your dog''s head. If you don''t enjoy Fido''s natural eau-de-wet-dog stink, keep him covered with these drip-dry rain jackets.

    Kuvasz

    The Kuvasz is truly a family dog as he will dedicate himself to loving and protecting his family for life. As loyal and better friend would be hard to find.

    What Are the Dangers of Water Hemlock to Dogs?

    When you''re out for a walk by the water, keep your dog away from this wild flower. Water hemlock is one of the most toxic plants to dogs.

    DIY Dog Halloween Costume: Tim Hortons Coffee Cup

    Get your day started with a double-double dog! Oscar''s take on the Canadian classic beverage is sweet, and will perk up your Halloween!

    Works of Art You Want Your Cat to Shred

    When a traditional scratching post doesn''t cut it, you need to shred it up a notch. For your fancy-pants kitty, only a Copycat Art Scratcher will do!

    Dog Days Of Summer Contest

    We’re panting to telling you about our Dog Days Of Summer Contest, where you could win a Petlinks Patio Pad, a Solvit Deluxe Safety Harness and a Solvi…

    Poop Scoop – Turns Out “Green” Poop Bags Aren’t The Sh*t After

    FTC warns dog poop companies that its ‘biodegradable’ waste bags aren’t what they claim I shop at the public market. I recycle. I do my bes…