Your kittens have become almost an adult cat, and now you should start thinking about switching it to an adult food that is more suited to the needs of the kittens you regularly use. What should you do when starting a new food?
It should be gradually changed
Even if you get the impression that your kitten or cat likes it, a new food should always be gradually changed. This gradual transition will help reduce the likelihood of developing stomach disorders following the change of formula. Nutritional changes affect different animals differently; therefore, it is important to make the change carefully.
Cats are usually animals with habits. Your cat may need some help with a change of food, especially if they are used to feeding only one type of food. Another reason would be that the veterinarian should advise you to give a special food for a clinical reason, such as your cat getting used to a variety of nutrition but for example allergies, kidney disease or weight loss.
You may want to try some of the following suggestions to starting a new food make easier:
- Start using new food gradually over a period of 7 days.
- Increase the rate of new food every day and decrease the rate of old food. Until you have created all the amount of new food you give at the end of a week.
- When using canned food, heat the new food to body temperature so that it does not rise to a higher temperature, if necessary, to accept more. Because it can increase the smell and the mouthfeel, most cats will prefer to warm the canned food lightly.
- Avoid the use of frozen food
- If necessary, change the consistency of canned food by adding a small amount of hot water to soften it; this change of texture will facilitate mixing of old and new foods.
- Do not try to add home food to the new diet. Most cats will never eat rather than eat home, which can become a bad habit in the long run.
- For cats that are very fastidious about their food, try to feed the new food like a reward biscuit. This app will strengthen the positive link between owner, cat and new food.
- Always have a container of clean fresh water ready.
- When trying to start a new food, the cat should not be starved.
- If you are struggling to change your cat’s food, talk to your veterinarian or nurse to see if they can give you more tips to help you with behavior.
It is important to follow the advice of your veterinarian if your cat’s food needs to be modified to help treat a medical condition. Discomfort can affect appetite; therefore, talk to your veterinarian to see if there is a special nutritional advice for your cat.
