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

    Just As Gross As Is Sounds: The Low-Down On Roundworms In Dogs

    We''ve got the poop-scoop on roundworms in dogs - and it ain''t a pretty sight! Found in animal feces, it can be passed along from dog to human.

    Korat

    An affectionate and cuddly cat, the Korat bonds strongly with its humans, but will single out a favorite. They are playful, but gentle with children.

    Homeless Youth Serve Up Gourmet Pet Treats at Lindy & Company

    Homeless teens bake up fresh dog treats and learn vital employment skills thanks to Lindy & Company, a bakery cooked up by Daybreak emergency shelter.

    How To Teach Your Dog The Recall Command

    Recall is an essential command your dog needs to learn to keep him safe – here’s how to teach it When it comes to training your puppy or dog, tea…

    Transport To Freedom: Going Behind The Scenes Of Dog Transport

    Kevin Roberts has a personal connection with dog transport and being a part of the group of volunteers that make this system work. Now, he talks to the peopl…

    Eastern Painted Turtle

    The Eastern Painted Turtle is an attractive pet turtle breed that is ideal for beginners. They have a pleasant disposition, and are energetic and active.

    A Bulldog Is The Best Sister A Little Girl Can Have

    Adora-bull photographs portray the special bond of a canine and human sisterhood For some kids, a dog is a sibling. Case in point: Harper and her Bulldog, Lo…

    Catfish

    Catfish are a large family of freshwater fish extremely popular in the aquarium trade. Extremely hardy and make for fascinating aquarium specimens.

    English Boodle

    The English Boodle brings together the gentle English Bulldog with the playful Poodle. This sweet-natured dog loves to be part of all family activities.

    Golden Oldies: Paddling With A Senior Pooch

    Don''t leave your dog out of your outdoor adventures. Even elderly dogs can enjoy an active lifestyle out on the water, as long as you''re prepared.

    J.M. Smucker Company Expands Voluntary Recall on Canned Cat Food

    J.M. Smucker Company is expanding the recall on certain lots of 9Lives, EverPet, and Special Kitty canned cat food due to possible low levels of thiamine.

    Grammy-Winning Violinist Shows Cool Cats Love Classical Music [Video]

    A Grammy-winning violinist''s consideration of strays along an animated street has music fans all over the world seeing the street kitties in a new light.

    Jackshund

    The Jackshund (Jackweenie) is a designer dog created by crossing the Jack Russell Terrier with a Dachshund. This is an energetic dog with a sweet nature.

    Westphalian Dachsbracke

    The Westphalian Dachsbracke comes from a long line of hunting dogs. This short-legged German breed is alert, active, and energetic.

    Unexpected Iron Dog Joins The Swedish Adventure Racing Team

    Arthur, a stray dog, adopts the Swedish Adventure Racing Team in Ecuador Talk about one tough pooch! Sweden’s Peak Performance team began their journey…