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

    Southern Painted Turtle

    The Southern Painted Turtle is commonly kept as a pet.These semi-aquatic turtles are low maintenance and a good beginner option.

    Redbone Coonhound

    The Redbone Coonhound is well-suited it is for a number of households and family types. This is a versatile breed that brings a lot of joy to a family.

    Adoptable Dog Of The Week – Wicket

    Who can resist that adorable underbite? But that’s not the only think that makes Wicket, our Adoptable Dog of the Week from Adoptapet.com, so special.…

    Malteagle

    The Malteagle combines the playful Maltese personality with the loyal and loving Beagle. An affectionate little dog with the easy-going personality.

    Proof Of Why You Need To Fall In Puppy Love This Valentine’s Day

    Nothing says love like a colorful infographic about the affection we have for our four-legged friends The hallmark holiday of the year is this weekend, and w…

    Gang Gang Cockatoo

    These lively, smart, and goofy parrots are incredible charmers and bring a lot of fun wherever they are. Meet the unique-looking Gang Gang Cockatoo!

    Help Kickstarter Pet Backpack Get Off the Ground

    Help fund the Lambo Pet Backpack''s Kickstarter campaign - a unique pet carrier that meets carry-on luggage dimensions for easier airline travel.

    Product Review: Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel and Hide-A-Hedgie

    Ever wonder what real dogs think of Outward Hound’s Hide-A-Squirrel toy you’ve maybe seen but weren’t quite sure about? I did too, so I dec…

    Best Dog Poop Bag Holder

    To help you find the perfect match from the get-go, whether you prefer minimalistic design or multi-purpose designs with built-in hand sanitizers or flashlights, we’ve rounded up the 10 best dog poop bag holders on the market.

    A Pet Parent’s Guide To Heartworm Treatments

    Is your dog safe? Let''s go over the basics about what heartworm is, how and why you should protect your dog, and the heartworm treatments available to you.

    Bulldog

    The Bulldog is famous for a ""sourpuss"" expression on his face, but if you can look past his looks, you''ll find a worthwhile pet and friend.

    Gen Y Dogma: I’m Afraid My Dog Will Ruin Christmas

    O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, Matilda will deee-stroy thee! A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about how we were planning to celebrate Matilda’s firs…

    Adoptable Dog Of The Week – Normandy

    Say hello to Normandy, our Adoptable Dog of the Week from Adoptapet.com. Normandy is a young male Labrador Retriever and Shar Pei mix from San Diego, CA. He…

    Ratshi Terrier

    Curious to see if the Ratshi Terrier is the dog for you? Read on to learn more about the Shih Tzu and Rat Terrier mix before deciding!

    Can Your Neighbor Make Your Dog Vomit? (And Other Reasons To Hire A Pe

    Keep calm and hire a professional – how to keep your hound happy and healthy while you’re on holiday If you were to walk next door and ask your n…