Is it OK to switch from dry to wet cat food

Changing a Cats Food: How-To

Youve just realized something that makes your heart jumpyou have to change your cats food. It seems overwhelming since you panic when the store is out of your cats favorite flavor. And you wouldnt dare swap pate for chunks.

So what are you going to do now? Dont worryit is possible to convert even picky eaters to a new diet most of the time. Here are some tips for success when changing your cats food.

Reasons for Changing a Cats Food

Perhaps the most important reason for swapping your cats food for another is when your veterinarian recommends an immediate diet change because of a health condition. Or perhaps the food that your cat has always eaten has been discontinued or recalled, or its now just too difficult to find or too expensive.

You might also need to look for something new if your cat simply doesnt seem to like their food as much as they used to. Maybe youve been doing research on cat nutrition and you want to upgrade to food with better ingredients, or switch from a high-carbohydrate dry food to a high-protein canned food. Age plays a role as well. At some point, kittens need to transition to adult cat food, and adult cats will eventually move to a senior formula.

Whatever the underlying reason, you dont want your cat to go on an extended hunger strike when you introduce the new diet.

How to Find a Similar Formula When Changing a Cats Food

If you have to change your cats food because of an issue like a recall, it will be easiest to transition to a similar food. Heres how to compare foods using the three factors that are most important to your cat.

Main Ingredients (Meats)

If you can match the first few ingredients on the label to the old food, it might be close enough for your cat to accept with minimal questioning and inspection. So if your kitty is used to a formula with tuna, salmon, and shrimp, look for another brand or formula that has these three as their major ingredients.

Guaranteed Analysis

Another helpful tip is to look at the guaranteed analysis on both labels. If possible, try to avoid major shifts, especially in the percentages of protein and fat. This can be more of an issue when changing from dry to canned food, since dry food is generally higher in carbohydrates.

Texture

Many cats are particularly sensitive to mouth feel or texture, so if they are particular to pate, look for a pate in the new formula. If you have a gravy licker, look for a new formula with a lot of gravy. And if cuts are your cats favorite, find a wet food formula with chunks of meat.

For some cats, mouth feel is as important or even more important than the actual flavor! These cats will often forgive some changes in flavor if the food still feels right to them.

Steps for Switching Cat Foods

In most cases, unless your veterinarian recommends otherwise for health reasons, switching cat foods should be done gradually over one to two weeks to avoid causing gastrointestinal upset by a quick diet change.

You can give most kitties a good introduction to the new flavor by following this guide:

Days 1-2: Feed 75% old food and 25% new food.

Days 3-4: Change to a 50%-50% mix.

Days 5-6: Feed 75% new food and 25% old food.

Day 7: In most cases, you can feed the new food exclusively.

If on any day, you see any signs that your cat isnt tolerating the change well (not eating, vomiting, diarrhea), go back to the amount that was tolerated and stay there for a few days before moving on. Some cats take longer than others, so dont get discouraged if it takes two weeks or even longer to transition your cat to a new food.

Switching From Dry to Wet or Wet to Dry

These same steps will also work when changing from one type of food to another, such as dry to canned or vice versa. Keep in mind that if you want to switch to dry food only, it is significantly higher in carbohydrates than canned food and should be fed in moderation, if at all.

Usually, mixing dry and wet food together is unpopular with cats, since the dry food gets soggy and the wet food becomes mealy. A better idea is to put them in separate bowls as you make the switch.

If your kitty is only eating the old food, try mixing them, or just decrease the amount of old food you offer to encourage your cat to consider the new food.

Rotational Diets for Cats

You can also try out a rotational diet. Rotational diets can help make sure that your kitty never becomes hooked on only one brand or flavor. The basic concept is simplefeed a variety of foods. The rotation can happen daily, weekly, or monthly, but the idea is that since the food is constantly changing, your cat wont be so stressed when one of those foods is different.

You can then slow or eliminate the rotation if you need to put your cat on a special diet for health reasons simply by increasing its frequency in the rotation.

If you want your cat to have a little dry food, try feeding multiple small meals of canned food during the day, and then put a very small amount of dry food out at bedtime for overnight snacking.

Troubleshooting When Switching Cat Foods

When changing your cats food, perhaps the most important factor is that they continue to eat. It may be less than usual, but there must be a reasonable amount of food eaten every 24 hours.

If cats do not ingest enough protein on a daily basis, it is possible for them to rapidly develop hepatic lipidosis, a severe liver condition. If your cat isnt eating at least 3 tablespoons of food per day, call your veterinarian.

If your kitty has not eaten the portion of new food after 18 hours, you can try putting a small portion (for example, 3 tablespoons) of the old food down for just the next 6 hours. This encourages your cat to eat the new food since its the only food available for most of the day, but also ensures that enough calories have been consumed within 24 hours to prevent problems.

Watch for the development of gastrointestinal (GI) signs such as vomiting and diarrhea. These can be signs that the transition was done too quickly, or that the new food is not settling well with their system. The first step is to slow down the transition to the last amount that was well-tolerated and take a more gradual approach. If this does not work and GI signs persist beyond 24 hours or are severe, call your veterinarian. .

There are some conditions (especially urinary tract problems and gastrointestinal diseases) that require a fast switch.

In most cases, transitioning your cats food goes the smoothest when they can dictate the speed of the change. With time and patience, your kitty will soon be enjoying the healthy food youve chosen.

Featured image: iStock.com/Lightspruch

EXPLORE WAYS TO ENHANCE YOUR INDOOR CAT'S SENSORY EXPERIENCE AND ENRICH THEIR LIFE

If youre considering changing your cats diet and want to know how to switch cat food, then youre in the right place.

Many cats become accustomed to a particular diet and it can be tricky to transition them to a new one. Its important to make sure that the switch is done correctly and safely.

In this article, well provide a step-by-step guide to safely changing your cats food so that you can transition your cat to a new diet without any health risks, or having to clean up cat vomit and diarrhea.

Step1: Why are You Changing Cat Food?

Consider first why you are changing cat food and if it is necessary. There are lots of reasons why pet owners decide to change their cats food, such as:

• Medically advised: Some cats, for example with kidney issues, are often recommended to eat a different, simpler diet. Changing from regular cat food to chicken breast might sound nicer to us but it might not be so easy for your cat. One of my cats got a urinary infection and we had to change his diet.
• More control: Many owners want to make homemade cat food or feed their cats a raw diet so they know exactly whats going into their cats diet.
• Different brands: Some cats suddenly go off a brand for no reason at all and demand another.
• Age-specific food: You may want to transition your kitten onto adult cat food, or your older cat onto senior food.

Its best to check with your vet before you change your cats diet. They can advise on any health issues and answer any questions you might have.For whatever reason you are changing cat food, you should make sure that your cats food will meet their nutritional needs before you make a switch.

You should also consider the type of food youre switching to.

• Is it wet or dry food, or a combination of both?
• Is it a natural or organic food, or a raw food diet?
• Is it a grain-free food?
• Is it high in protein and nutritionally complete?

All of these factors can have an impact on your cats health, so its important to do your research and make sure youre choosing the right food for your cat. It is also important to remember that cats are obligate carnivores, so their diet should include plenty of animal-based proteins.

The Process of Transitioning Your Cat to a New Food

Now that youve done your research and youve chosen the right food for your cat, its time to start the process of transitioning your cat to the new food.

The most important thing when thinking about how to transition your cats food is to take it slow. You dont want to suddenly feed them something else as this could cause vomiting, diarrhea or stomach pain.

The process should be done gradually over the course of 10 days to ensure that your cats digestive system has time to adjust. Taking ten days to transition to new food, introduces the food in such gradual amounts that your cat will hardly notice.

Its also important that you keep to their normal feeding schedule and feed them in the same place. You dont want to change too many things at once as it could unnerve them.

Here is the step by step guide:

Step 2: How to Switch Cat Food Safely (and Avoid Cat Diarrhea)

Day 1 to 3: Try mixing roughly 25% of the new food in with their old. Hopefully, theyll be intrigued by the new flavor or texture but therell be enough of what theyre used to for them not to mind.

Day 4 to 6: Once theyre happy eating 25% of the new mixed-in food, up it to 50%.

Day 7 to 9: Give them 25% of the old food and 75% of the new.

Day 10: 100% new food.

You might notice that your cat is quite happy to gobble up the new food. If this is the case, you can up the percentages of the new cat food a little earlier. If you have a very picky cat, it may take them even longer than 10 days to get used to their change in diet, so be prepared to extend the transition period to 2-3 weeks.

Its also important to monitor your cats reaction to the new food. Watch for signs of digestive upset such as vomiting, diarrhea, or decreased appetite. If you notice any of these signs, you should stop the transition process and consult your veterinarian.

Tips for Making the Transition Easier

There are some simple tips you can follow to make the transition process easier for both you and your cat. First, try to make the transition process as gradual as possible. According to the PSDA, cats need at least 10 days to switch to new cat food, some cats even longer if they are fussy.

Dont try to switch your cats food too quickly. This can cause digestive upset and may cause your cat to become picky about their food.

Its also important to make sure your cat is getting plenty of water during the transition. This will help keep them stay hydrated and will make it easier for them to digest the new food.

What to Do if Your Cat Refuses to Eat the New Food

If your cat refuses to eat the new food, dont panic. There are a few things you can do to encourage them to eat. First, try adding a small amount of wet food or a high-quality treat to the new food to make it more appealing. You can also try warming the food, as some cats prefer their food at a slightly warmer temperature.

If your cat still refuses to eat the new food, you may want to try switching back to the old food for a few days to give them time to adjust. Then, you can slowly start transitioning them back to the new food.

How to Switch From Dry to Wet Food

If youre transitioning your cat from dry to wet food, follow the ten day plan above and increase the amount of wet food in their diet gradually. Start by offering a small amount of wet food in addition to their usual dry food. Make sure to monitor your cats reaction to the wet food. If they seem to like it, you can gradually increase the amount of wet food you offer.

Its also important to make sure that your cat is getting enough water. Offer your cat fresh, clean water throughout the day and make sure they have access to it at all times.

How to Switch From Wet to Dry Food

If youre transitioning your cat from wet to dry food, the same rule applies. Follow the ten day transition guide above, starting with 25% of dry food mixed in with the wet food. Gradually increase the amount of dry food and decrease the amount of wet food until your cat is eating all dry food.

Its important to make sure that your cat is getting enough water. Cats that eat a dry food diet only dont absorb as much moisture from the kibble as they would from wet food. Offer your cat clean, fresh water throughout the day and make sure they have access to water at all times.

What to Do if Your Cat Has an Adverse Reaction to the New Food

If your cat has an adverse reaction to the new food, you should stop the transition process. Go back to the original food until your cat is settled and well. If you are concerned for the health of your cat, always consult a veterinarian.

Its important to remember that cats are obligate carnivores, so their diet should include plenty of animal-based proteins.

Frequently Asked Questions About Switching Cat Food

How Soon Can You Switch a Kitten to Adult Cat Food?

Kittens can be switched to adult cat food when they are six months of age, or older. You should ensure you transition a kitten to adult cat food slowly. Allow up to 2-3 weeks to safely transition your kitten to a new food.

How Do You Stop Diarrhea in Cats After Switching Food?

Feed your cat smaller and more frequent meals, as this can help minimize diarrhea symptoms. Add a probiotic supplement to their diet, this can also help reduce and prevent diarrhea. Make sure to provide plenty of fresh, clean water for your cat and contact your veterinarian if the symptoms persist.

Can You Switch Cat Food Cold Turkey?

Unless advised by your vet, never change your cats food cold turkey. They will likely experience stomach upsets including diarrhea, and may be less likely to eat the new food.

How Important is it to Switch to Wet Cat Food if Cat Has CKD?

Switching to wet cat food is important for cats who have chronic kidney disease. The high moisture content of wet cat food helps keep cats hydrated while providing necessary nutrients. Wet cat food also helps reduce the buildup of waste products in the kidneys and lowers phosphorus in their diet. Wet cat food is more palatable and easier to digest than dry cat food, making it much easier for cats with kidney disease to eat.

How Long Does it Take for a Cat to Adjust to New Food?

As a general rule, it takes 10 to 14 days for a cat to adjust to new food, when fed gradual amounts over this time. Some fussy cats, and kittens may need longer, other cats will adjust with ease.

Is it Ok to Change Cat Food Brands?

It is ok to change cat food brands, but you should do it slowly over at least 10 days, to reduce stress on your cats digestive system. Consider selecting high quality brands with natural ingredients that provide the necessary amount of protein, fat and carbohydrates for your cats size, age, and activity level.

Is it Ok to Mix Cat Foods?

Mixing cat foods is necessary during the transition across to a new food. If you are not changing your cats diet permanently, it is important to ensure your cat gets the right nutritional balance from each type of food you are mixing.

How to Choose the Right Food for Your Cat

Choosing the right food for your cat is an important part of the transition process. You should always consult your veterinarian when choosing a new food for your cat. Your veterinarian can help you choose a food that meets your cats nutritional needs and can help you with the transition process.

When choosing a food for your indoor cat, look for one that is specifically formulated for their life stage, activity level, and health conditions. You should also look for a food that is made with high-quality ingredients and that contains the essential vitamins and minerals your cat needs.

Conclusion

Changing your cats food can be a difficult process for some cats, others transition with ease. Whats important is to make sure you introduce new food it in a safe and healthy way. In this article, weve provided a step-by-step guide to safely changing your cats food so that you can transition your cat to a new diet without any health risks.

Remember to do your research and choose the right food for your cat, and always consult your veterinarian if you have any questions. With the right approach, you can make the transition process easy and stress-free for both you and your cat.

Im an indoor cat convert and created My Indoor Cat to help other indoor cat owners make the best choices for their cats and kittens.