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

    Czechoslovakian Wolfdog

    The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog was bred for he Czechoslovak Special Forces as an attack dog but has come to be used for search and rescue.

    Blue Eyed Cockatoo

    The Blue Eyed cockatoo is an affectionate, calm bird who will reward your care with a close bond that you will cherish for decades to come.

    Epic Journey of Refugee Cat Will Have You Cutting Onions [Video]

    What do you mean you haven''t cried today? Let''s fix that right up with this three-tissue video of a refugee family being reunited with their beloved cat.

    Lesser Sulphur Crested Cockatoo

    Provided that you don''t mind the loud nature of these birds, the sweet and friendly Lesser Sulphur Crested Cockatoo can make a wonderful companion.

    Dog Expert Warren Eckstein Launches “The Pet Insider” Podcast

    Banking on a successful 30-year career, dog expert Warren Eckstein is set to launch a brand new weekly podcast on PodcastOne.

    Golden Rottie

    The friendly Golden Rottie is a fun-loving family dog that brings together the confident Rottweiler and the gentle Golden Retriever.

    PetGuide’s Best New Dog Travel Product of 2018: K9 Sport Sack

    K9 Sport Sack ensures you get to make most out of your time with your precious pet, without compromising on comfort or style.

    Californian Rabbit

    Californian Rabbit Breed History/Origin The Californian Rabbit breed was developed in the 1923 by George West of California. His plan was to develop a breed…

    SuperZoo 2017 is On – and We’re Digging P.L.A.Y. Adorbs Canvas Bag

    One of the best things about Superzoo is seeing so many quirky little products. P.L.A.Y. has some of the cutest toys and bags that are ''totes'' adorbs!

    Mountain Cur

    Mountain Cur BasicsThe Mountain Cur is prized as an all-American working dog – they might still be somewhat uncommon, but it doesn’t mean that they don’t hav…

    Jatzu

    The Jatzu is a Japanese Chin and Shih Tzu mix and will inherit the traits of both parents. Read on to find out more about these unique dogs!

    Great Golden Dane

    If you want a gentle giant with a soul of a puppy, choose Great Golden Dane. These designer dogs are mixes between Golden Retriever and the Great Dane.

    Patagonian Conure

    With a great passion for tricks and toys, the Patagonian Conure has a naturally entertaining personality. Read on to learn more about these parrots!

    Spectacled Parrotlet

    If you''re looking for a pet that doesn''t need much space to be happy- the goofy Spectacled Parrotlet is the ideal choice for you.

    Staffordshire Bull Terrier

    The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a tenacious, lovable dog with lots of personality. It''s an assertive dog that will make its presence known to strangers.