When will my kitten eat dry food?
Question:
sorry, I should have said other thread, not other poster. hbfb
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> But the kitten wasnt 3-4 weeks. It was 11weeks ? > Giving such a young kitten(the other poster) dry food is like giving a human > infant a steak. > At three to four weeks you could give dry, soaked in hot water and mushed > with a fork. > hbfb > > I had the same problem when we got our Zakhari. He was about 10 weeks old > and > > wouldnt touch the dry food. It wasnt until we got our second, Zelda, and > SHE > > started eating the dry, that he gave it a go. She must have told him it > was good > > and forced him to eat it.. you know how women are 
> > We tried everything too.. we wet it, we put it in with his wet food.. > nothing > > worked, until SHE took him in hand > > Mari > > > > My kitten, Buffy, is about 11 weeks old. She is not interested in dry > > > > food. I’ve bought the kitten versions of Iams, Sci. Diet, and Purina. > > > > Left out plain, mixed with water, also milk. She won’t eat it. What to > do? > > > > — Robert > > > I got my two at 8 weeks. > > > I started them on a wet and dry mix at that time. > > > Select a canned food with plenty of excess fluid, I found 9 Lives to be > > > especially good at this but any grocery store quality food will do. Mix > 1/4 > > > tin (small 5 oz size) with 2 or three teaspoons of dry kitten food > (quality > > > brand preferred) and blend in well so all kibble are in contact with > some of > > > the wet food(add a little water if there are some dry kibble left when > the > > > kittens are through), you want the food to hide and add a little flavor > to > > > the kibble and juice to soften it. Put some dry food out for them to > free > > > feed on when the wet food is done. After a few weeks, you can stop > mixing > > > wet and dry as the kittens should now be eating most of their > nutritional > > > needs from the dry food. Even so be prepared to keep this up for a > couple > > > of months. > > > I would keep changing the flavors and brands of canned food, consider > > > mixing a few quality brands of dry together too. Do not feed the same > brand > > > or flavor of canned food two days in a row. If you keep changing the > brand > > > and flavor as a secondary benefit your kittens should not become finicky > > > eaters. I found that I could change foods relatively rapidly without > > > stomach problems with my cats after the kittens got used to the regime – > go > > > slow at the start though. > > > If you are planning to eventually move them to an all dry diet, > gradually > > > reduce the amount in the wet feedings or their frequency. I would also > > > consider mixing a few of the quality dry foods, different flavors and > brands > > > should be in the mix (I know one person who mixes up to five brands and > > > flavors at a time). I feel a minimum of two quality dry foods would > suffice > > > but three might be a little better. > > > Despite all the claims about nutritional completeness, I don’t believe > that > > > they ever really are and by mixing the cats have a better chance of > actually > > > getting a decent diet. > > > Its worked with mine. > > > Larry Osborne
Response:
HBFB Where did the four week old kitten come from? This thread started with an eleven week old kitten, plenty old enough to be eating dry without doing harm. Larry Osborne
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Giving such a young kitten(the other poster) dry food is like giving a human > infant a steak. > At three to four weeks you could give dry, soaked in hot water and mushed > with a fork. > hbfb > I had the same problem when we got our Zakhari. He was about 10 weeks old > and > wouldnt touch the dry food. It wasnt until we got our second, Zelda, and > SHE > started eating the dry, that he gave it a go. She must have told him it > was good > and forced him to eat it.. you know how women are > We tried everything too.. we wet it, we put it in with his wet food.. > nothing > worked, until SHE took him in hand > Mari > > > My kitten, Buffy, is about 11 weeks old. She is not interested in dry > > > food. I’ve bought the kitten versions of Iams, Sci. Diet, and Purina. > > > Left out plain, mixed with water, also milk. She won’t eat it. What to > do? > > > — Robert > > I got my two at 8 weeks. > > I started them on a wet and dry mix at that time. > > Select a canned food with plenty of excess fluid, I found 9 Lives to be > > especially good at this but any grocery store quality food will do. Mix > 1/4 > > tin (small 5 oz size) with 2 or three teaspoons of dry kitten food > (quality > > brand preferred) and blend in well so all kibble are in contact with > some of > > the wet food(add a little water if there are some dry kibble left when > the > > kittens are through), you want the food to hide and add a little flavor > to > > the kibble and juice to soften it. Put some dry food out for them to > free > > feed on when the wet food is done. After a few weeks, you can stop > mixing > > wet and dry as the kittens should now be eating most of their > nutritional > > needs from the dry food. Even so be prepared to keep this up for a > couple > > of months. > > I would keep changing the flavors and brands of canned food, consider > > mixing a few quality brands of dry together too. Do not feed the same > brand > > or flavor of canned food two days in a row. If you keep changing the > brand > > and flavor as a secondary benefit your kittens should not become finicky > > eaters. I found that I could change foods relatively rapidly without > > stomach problems with my cats after the kittens got used to the regime – > go > > slow at the start though. > > If you are planning to eventually move them to an all dry diet, > gradually > > reduce the amount in the wet feedings or their frequency. I would also > > consider mixing a few of the quality dry foods, different flavors and > brands > > should be in the mix (I know one person who mixes up to five brands and > > flavors at a time). I feel a minimum of two quality dry foods would > suffice > > but three might be a little better. > > Despite all the claims about nutritional completeness, I don’t believe > that > > they ever really are and by mixing the cats have a better chance of > actually > > getting a decent diet. > > Its worked with mine. > > Larry Osborne
Response:
Why do you feel dry food is best? There is some thought now that canned food is better in the long run for good urinary tract health because it has more water than dry. The problem with feeding dry food only is that the kitten/cat may not be drinking enough water. As the cat gets older, if her water intake is not sufficient she may become prone to bladder infections. Kittens also have special dietary needs that aren’t the same as adult cats. You need to be sure you are feeding kitten food that has extra nutrients to help her grow strong. Some good basic advice on Kitten health care and feeding tips are on this page if you click below: http://www.geocities.com:80/Heartland/Pointe/9352/owners.html I would suggest that forcing her to eat only dry food might be harmful in the long run. Also training a cat to eat only one kind of food can be dangerous because they won’t adapt well to any necessary change in their diet later on. I got an e-mail from someone who’s cat had eaten nothing but a certain flavor of a certain brand of cat food for several years, and then the company went out of business. The cat refused to eat anything else and it became a dangerous situation for her. A combination of both dry and canned is best. I even add more water to canned food as my cats get older. There are some interesting articles on the relationship between water intake in food and feline urinary tract infections. If you’re interested you’ll find several links under Urinary Tract Infections here: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pointe/9352/alphalinks.html — Tally’s Page Cat Health & Behavior Links, Special Remembrances, Animal Issues & Photos! http://www.tallyville.com
Response:
But the kitten wasnt 3-4 weeks. It was 11weeks ? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Giving such a young kitten(the other poster) dry food is like giving a human > infant a steak. > At three to four weeks you could give dry, soaked in hot water and mushed > with a fork. > hbfb > I had the same problem when we got our Zakhari. He was about 10 weeks old > and > wouldnt touch the dry food. It wasnt until we got our second, Zelda, and > SHE > started eating the dry, that he gave it a go. She must have told him it > was good > and forced him to eat it.. you know how women are > We tried everything too.. we wet it, we put it in with his wet food.. > nothing > worked, until SHE took him in hand > Mari > > > My kitten, Buffy, is about 11 weeks old. She is not interested in dry > > > food. I’ve bought the kitten versions of Iams, Sci. Diet, and Purina. > > > Left out plain, mixed with water, also milk. She won’t eat it. What to > do? > > > — Robert > > I got my two at 8 weeks. > > I started them on a wet and dry mix at that time. > > Select a canned food with plenty of excess fluid, I found 9 Lives to be > > especially good at this but any grocery store quality food will do. Mix > 1/4 > > tin (small 5 oz size) with 2 or three teaspoons of dry kitten food > (quality > > brand preferred) and blend in well so all kibble are in contact with > some of > > the wet food(add a little water if there are some dry kibble left when > the > > kittens are through), you want the food to hide and add a little flavor > to > > the kibble and juice to soften it. Put some dry food out for them to > free > > feed on when the wet food is done. After a few weeks, you can stop > mixing > > wet and dry as the kittens should now be eating most of their > nutritional > > needs from the dry food. Even so be prepared to keep this up for a > couple > > of months. > > I would keep changing the flavors and brands of canned food, consider > > mixing a few quality brands of dry together too. Do not feed the same > brand > > or flavor of canned food two days in a row. If you keep changing the > brand > > and flavor as a secondary benefit your kittens should not become finicky > > eaters. I found that I could change foods relatively rapidly without > > stomach problems with my cats after the kittens got used to the regime – > go > > slow at the start though. > > If you are planning to eventually move them to an all dry diet, > gradually > > reduce the amount in the wet feedings or their frequency. I would also > > consider mixing a few of the quality dry foods, different flavors and > brands > > should be in the mix (I know one person who mixes up to five brands and > > flavors at a time). I feel a minimum of two quality dry foods would > suffice > > but three might be a little better. > > Despite all the claims about nutritional completeness, I don’t believe > that > > they ever really are and by mixing the cats have a better chance of > actually > > getting a decent diet. > > Its worked with mine. > > Larry Osborne
Response:
My kitten, Buffy, is about 11 weeks old. She is not interested in dry food. I’ve bought the kitten versions of Iams, Sci. Diet, and Purina. Left out plain, mixed with water, also milk. She won’t eat it. What to do? — Robert
Response:
I wouldn’t worry TOO much about it yet. Just keep a bowl of dry out all the time, and feed her canned 2-3 times a day at specific times. Usually when a kitten is hungry, and it is not time for wet food, it will slowly begin to take interest in the dry. You could always try topping the dry food with a little bit of wet. But make sure to discard any leftovers if she doesn’t eat it right away. I have fostered kittens and they gradually start to eat the dry on their own. I had 8 week old kittens just eating dry the last time I fostered. They were good little things! They were on the canned before however. Just be patient. I’m sure she will slowly begin to grasp the dry food concept. Just leave a bowl of it out for her, she’ll be sure to investigate. :-) Kelly
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My kitten, Buffy, is about 11 weeks old. She is not interested in dry > food. I’ve bought the kitten versions of Iams, Sci. Diet, and Purina. > Left out plain, mixed with water, also milk. She won’t eat it. What to do? > — Robert
Response:
> My kitten, Buffy, is about 11 weeks old. She is not interested in dry > food. I’ve bought the kitten versions of Iams, Sci. Diet, and Purina. > Left out plain, mixed with water, also milk. She won’t eat it. What to do? > — Robert
I got my two at 8 weeks. I started them on a wet and dry mix at that time. Select a canned food with plenty of excess fluid, I found 9 Lives to be especially good at this but any grocery store quality food will do. Mix 1/4 tin (small 5 oz size) with 2 or three teaspoons of dry kitten food (quality brand preferred) and blend in well so all kibble are in contact with some of the wet food(add a little water if there are some dry kibble left when the kittens are through), you want the food to hide and add a little flavor to the kibble and juice to soften it. Put some dry food out for them to free feed on when the wet food is done. After a few weeks, you can stop mixing wet and dry as the kittens should now be eating most of their nutritional needs from the dry food. Even so be prepared to keep this up for a couple of months. I would keep changing the flavors and brands of canned food, consider mixing a few quality brands of dry together too. Do not feed the same brand or flavor of canned food two days in a row. If you keep changing the brand and flavor as a secondary benefit your kittens should not become finicky eaters. I found that I could change foods relatively rapidly without stomach problems with my cats after the kittens got used to the regime – go slow at the start though. If you are planning to eventually move them to an all dry diet, gradually reduce the amount in the wet feedings or their frequency. I would also consider mixing a few of the quality dry foods, different flavors and brands should be in the mix (I know one person who mixes up to five brands and flavors at a time). I feel a minimum of two quality dry foods would suffice but three might be a little better. Despite all the claims about nutritional completeness, I don’t believe that they ever really are and by mixing the cats have a better chance of actually getting a decent diet. Its worked with mine. Larry Osborne
Response:
I had the same problem when we got our Zakhari. He was about 10 weeks old and wouldnt touch the dry food. It wasnt until we got our second, Zelda, and SHE started eating the dry, that he gave it a go. She must have told him it was good and forced him to eat it.. you know how women are We tried everything too.. we wet it, we put it in with his wet food.. nothing worked, until SHE took him in hand Mari – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My kitten, Buffy, is about 11 weeks old. She is not interested in dry > food. I’ve bought the kitten versions of Iams, Sci. Diet, and Purina. > Left out plain, mixed with water, also milk. She won’t eat it. What to do? > — Robert > I got my two at 8 weeks. > I started them on a wet and dry mix at that time. > Select a canned food with plenty of excess fluid, I found 9 Lives to be > especially good at this but any grocery store quality food will do. Mix 1/4 > tin (small 5 oz size) with 2 or three teaspoons of dry kitten food (quality > brand preferred) and blend in well so all kibble are in contact with some of > the wet food(add a little water if there are some dry kibble left when the > kittens are through), you want the food to hide and add a little flavor to > the kibble and juice to soften it. Put some dry food out for them to free > feed on when the wet food is done. After a few weeks, you can stop mixing > wet and dry as the kittens should now be eating most of their nutritional > needs from the dry food. Even so be prepared to keep this up for a couple > of months. > I would keep changing the flavors and brands of canned food, consider > mixing a few quality brands of dry together too. Do not feed the same brand > or flavor of canned food two days in a row. If you keep changing the brand > and flavor as a secondary benefit your kittens should not become finicky > eaters. I found that I could change foods relatively rapidly without > stomach problems with my cats after the kittens got used to the regime – go > slow at the start though. > If you are planning to eventually move them to an all dry diet, gradually > reduce the amount in the wet feedings or their frequency. I would also > consider mixing a few of the quality dry foods, different flavors and brands > should be in the mix (I know one person who mixes up to five brands and > flavors at a time). I feel a minimum of two quality dry foods would suffice > but three might be a little better. > Despite all the claims about nutritional completeness, I don’t believe that > they ever really are and by mixing the cats have a better chance of actually > getting a decent diet. > Its worked with mine. > Larry Osborne
Response:
Giving such a young kitten(the other poster) dry food is like giving a human infant a steak. At three to four weeks you could give dry, soaked in hot water and mushed with a fork. hbfb
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I had the same problem when we got our Zakhari. He was about 10 weeks old and > wouldnt touch the dry food. It wasnt until we got our second, Zelda, and SHE > started eating the dry, that he gave it a go. She must have told him it was good > and forced him to eat it.. you know how women are > We tried everything too.. we wet it, we put it in with his wet food.. nothing > worked, until SHE took him in hand > Mari > > My kitten, Buffy, is about 11 weeks old. She is not interested in dry > > food. I’ve bought the kitten versions of Iams, Sci. Diet, and Purina. > > Left out plain, mixed with water, also milk. She won’t eat it. What to do? > > — Robert > I got my two at 8 weeks. > I started them on a wet and dry mix at that time. > Select a canned food with plenty of excess fluid, I found 9 Lives to be > especially good at this but any grocery store quality food will do. Mix 1/4 > tin (small 5 oz size) with 2 or three teaspoons of dry kitten food (quality > brand preferred) and blend in well so all kibble are in contact with some of > the wet food(add a little water if there are some dry kibble left when the > kittens are through), you want the food to hide and add a little flavor to > the kibble and juice to soften it. Put some dry food out for them to free > feed on when the wet food is done. After a few weeks, you can stop mixing > wet and dry as the kittens should now be eating most of their nutritional > needs from the dry food. Even so be prepared to keep this up for a couple > of months. > I would keep changing the flavors and brands of canned food, consider > mixing a few quality brands of dry together too. Do not feed the same brand > or flavor of canned food two days in a row. If you keep changing the brand > and flavor as a secondary benefit your kittens should not become finicky > eaters. I found that I could change foods relatively rapidly without > stomach problems with my cats after the kittens got used to the regime – go > slow at the start though. > If you are planning to eventually move them to an all dry diet, gradually > reduce the amount in the wet feedings or their frequency. I would also > consider mixing a few of the quality dry foods, different flavors and brands > should be in the mix (I know one person who mixes up to five brands and > flavors at a time). I feel a minimum of two quality dry foods would suffice > but three might be a little better. > Despite all the claims about nutritional completeness, I don’t believe that > they ever really are and by mixing the cats have a better chance of actually > getting a decent diet. > Its worked with mine. > Larry Osborne
Response:
sorry, I should have said other thread, not other poster. hbfb
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> But the kitten wasnt 3-4 weeks. It was 11weeks ? > Giving such a young kitten(the other poster) dry food is like giving a human > infant a steak. > At three to four weeks you could give dry, soaked in hot water and mushed > with a fork. > hbfb > > I had the same problem when we got our Zakhari. He was about 10 weeks old > and > > wouldnt touch the dry food. It wasnt until we got our second, Zelda, and > SHE > > started eating the dry, that he gave it a go. She must have told him it > was good > > and forced him to eat it.. you know how women are > > We tried everything too.. we wet it, we put it in with his wet food.. > nothing > > worked, until SHE took him in hand > > Mari > > > > My kitten, Buffy, is about 11 weeks old. She is not interested in dry > > > > food. I’ve bought the kitten versions of Iams, Sci. Diet, and Purina. > > > > Left out plain, mixed with water, also milk. She won’t eat it. What to > do? > > > > — Robert > > > I got my two at 8 weeks. > > > I started them on a wet and dry mix at that time. > > > Select a canned food with plenty of excess fluid, I found 9 Lives to be > > > especially good at this but any grocery store quality food will do. Mix > 1/4 > > > tin (small 5 oz size) with 2 or three teaspoons of dry kitten food > (quality > > > brand preferred) and blend in well so all kibble are in contact with > some of > > > the wet food(add a little water if there are some dry kibble left when > the > > > kittens are through), you want the food to hide and add a little flavor > to > > > the kibble and juice to soften it. Put some dry food out for them to > free > > > feed on when the wet food is done. After a few weeks, you can stop > mixing > > > wet and dry as the kittens should now be eating most of their > nutritional > > > needs from the dry food. Even so be prepared to keep this up for a > couple > > > of months. > > > I would keep changing the flavors and brands of canned food, consider > > > mixing a few quality brands of dry together too. Do not feed the same > brand > > > or flavor of canned food two days in a row. If you keep changing the > brand > > > and flavor as a secondary benefit your kittens should not become finicky > > > eaters. I found that I could change foods relatively rapidly without > > > stomach problems with my cats after the kittens got used to the regime – > go > > > slow at the start though. > > > If you are planning to eventually move them to an all dry diet, > gradually > > > reduce the amount in the wet feedings or their frequency. I would also > > > consider mixing a few of the quality dry foods, different flavors and > brands > > > should be in the mix (I know one person who mixes up to five brands and > > > flavors at a time). I feel a minimum of two quality dry foods would > suffice > > > but three might be a little better. > > > Despite all the claims about nutritional completeness, I don’t believe > that > > > they ever really are and by mixing the cats have a better chance of > actually > > > getting a decent diet. > > > Its worked with mine. > > > Larry Osborne
Response:
HBFB Where did the four week old kitten come from? This thread started with an eleven week old kitten, plenty old enough to be eating dry without doing harm. Larry Osborne
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Giving such a young kitten(the other poster) dry food is like giving a human > infant a steak. > At three to four weeks you could give dry, soaked in hot water and mushed > with a fork. > hbfb > I had the same problem when we got our Zakhari. He was about 10 weeks old > and > wouldnt touch the dry food. It wasnt until we got our second, Zelda, and > SHE > started eating the dry, that he gave it a go. She must have told him it > was good > and forced him to eat it.. you know how women are > We tried everything too.. we wet it, we put it in with his wet food.. > nothing > worked, until SHE took him in hand > Mari > > > My kitten, Buffy, is about 11 weeks old. She is not interested in dry > > > food. I’ve bought the kitten versions of Iams, Sci. Diet, and Purina. > > > Left out plain, mixed with water, also milk. She won’t eat it. What to > do? > > > — Robert > > I got my two at 8 weeks. > > I started them on a wet and dry mix at that time. > > Select a canned food with plenty of excess fluid, I found 9 Lives to be > > especially good at this but any grocery store quality food will do. Mix > 1/4 > > tin (small 5 oz size) with 2 or three teaspoons of dry kitten food > (quality > > brand preferred) and blend in well so all kibble are in contact with > some of > > the wet food(add a little water if there are some dry kibble left when > the > > kittens are through), you want the food to hide and add a little flavor > to > > the kibble and juice to soften it. Put some dry food out for them to > free > > feed on when the wet food is done. After a few weeks, you can stop > mixing > > wet and dry as the kittens should now be eating most of their > nutritional > > needs from the dry food. Even so be prepared to keep this up for a > couple > > of months. > > I would keep changing the flavors and brands of canned food, consider > > mixing a few quality brands of dry together too. Do not feed the same > brand > > or flavor of canned food two days in a row. If you keep changing the > brand > > and flavor as a secondary benefit your kittens should not become finicky > > eaters. I found that I could change foods relatively rapidly without > > stomach problems with my cats after the kittens got used to the regime – > go > > slow at the start though. > > If you are planning to eventually move them to an all dry diet, > gradually > > reduce the amount in the wet feedings or their frequency. I would also > > consider mixing a few of the quality dry foods, different flavors and > brands > > should be in the mix (I know one person who mixes up to five brands and > > flavors at a time). I feel a minimum of two quality dry foods would > suffice > > but three might be a little better. > > Despite all the claims about nutritional completeness, I don’t believe > that > > they ever really are and by mixing the cats have a better chance of > actually > > getting a decent diet. > > Its worked with mine. > > Larry Osborne
Response:
Why do you feel dry food is best? There is some thought now that canned food is better in the long run for good urinary tract health because it has more water than dry. The problem with feeding dry food only is that the kitten/cat may not be drinking enough water. As the cat gets older, if her water intake is not sufficient she may become prone to bladder infections. Kittens also have special dietary needs that aren’t the same as adult cats. You need to be sure you are feeding kitten food that has extra nutrients to help her grow strong. Some good basic advice on Kitten health care and feeding tips are on this page if you click below: http://www.geocities.com:80/Heartland/Pointe/9352/owners.html I would suggest that forcing her to eat only dry food might be harmful in the long run. Also training a cat to eat only one kind of food can be dangerous because they won’t adapt well to any necessary change in their diet later on. I got an e-mail from someone who’s cat had eaten nothing but a certain flavor of a certain brand of cat food for several years, and then the company went out of business. The cat refused to eat anything else and it became a dangerous situation for her. A combination of both dry and canned is best. I even add more water to canned food as my cats get older. There are some interesting articles on the relationship between water intake in food and feline urinary tract infections. If you’re interested you’ll find several links under Urinary Tract Infections here: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pointe/9352/alphalinks.html — Tally’s Page Cat Health & Behavior Links, Special Remembrances, Animal Issues & Photos! http://www.tallyville.com
Response:
But the kitten wasnt 3-4 weeks. It was 11weeks ? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Giving such a young kitten(the other poster) dry food is like giving a human > infant a steak. > At three to four weeks you could give dry, soaked in hot water and mushed > with a fork. > hbfb > I had the same problem when we got our Zakhari. He was about 10 weeks old > and > wouldnt touch the dry food. It wasnt until we got our second, Zelda, and > SHE > started eating the dry, that he gave it a go. She must have told him it > was good > and forced him to eat it.. you know how women are > We tried everything too.. we wet it, we put it in with his wet food.. > nothing > worked, until SHE took him in hand > Mari > > > My kitten, Buffy, is about 11 weeks old. She is not interested in dry > > > food. I’ve bought the kitten versions of Iams, Sci. Diet, and Purina. > > > Left out plain, mixed with water, also milk. She won’t eat it. What to > do? > > > — Robert > > I got my two at 8 weeks. > > I started them on a wet and dry mix at that time. > > Select a canned food with plenty of excess fluid, I found 9 Lives to be > > especially good at this but any grocery store quality food will do. Mix > 1/4 > > tin (small 5 oz size) with 2 or three teaspoons of dry kitten food > (quality > > brand preferred) and blend in well so all kibble are in contact with > some of > > the wet food(add a little water if there are some dry kibble left when > the > > kittens are through), you want the food to hide and add a little flavor > to > > the kibble and juice to soften it. Put some dry food out for them to > free > > feed on when the wet food is done. After a few weeks, you can stop > mixing > > wet and dry as the kittens should now be eating most of their > nutritional > > needs from the dry food. Even so be prepared to keep this up for a > couple > > of months. > > I would keep changing the flavors and brands of canned food, consider > > mixing a few quality brands of dry together too. Do not feed the same > brand > > or flavor of canned food two days in a row. If you keep changing the > brand > > and flavor as a secondary benefit your kittens should not become finicky > > eaters. I found that I could change foods relatively rapidly without > > stomach problems with my cats after the kittens got used to the regime – > go > > slow at the start though. > > If you are planning to eventually move them to an all dry diet, > gradually > > reduce the amount in the wet feedings or their frequency. I would also > > consider mixing a few of the quality dry foods, different flavors and > brands > > should be in the mix (I know one person who mixes up to five brands and > > flavors at a time). I feel a minimum of two quality dry foods would > suffice > > but three might be a little better. > > Despite all the claims about nutritional completeness, I don’t believe > that > > they ever really are and by mixing the cats have a better chance of > actually > > getting a decent diet. > > Its worked with mine. > > Larry Osborne
Response:
My kitten, Buffy, is about 11 weeks old. She is not interested in dry food. I’ve bought the kitten versions of Iams, Sci. Diet, and Purina. Left out plain, mixed with water, also milk. She won’t eat it. What to do? — Robert
Response:
I wouldn’t worry TOO much about it yet. Just keep a bowl of dry out all the time, and feed her canned 2-3 times a day at specific times. Usually when a kitten is hungry, and it is not time for wet food, it will slowly begin to take interest in the dry. You could always try topping the dry food with a little bit of wet. But make sure to discard any leftovers if she doesn’t eat it right away. I have fostered kittens and they gradually start to eat the dry on their own. I had 8 week old kittens just eating dry the last time I fostered. They were good little things! They were on the canned before however. Just be patient. I’m sure she will slowly begin to grasp the dry food concept. Just leave a bowl of it out for her, she’ll be sure to investigate. :-) Kelly
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My kitten, Buffy, is about 11 weeks old. She is not interested in dry > food. I’ve bought the kitten versions of Iams, Sci. Diet, and Purina. > Left out plain, mixed with water, also milk. She won’t eat it. What to do? > — Robert
Response:
> My kitten, Buffy, is about 11 weeks old. She is not interested in dry > food. I’ve bought the kitten versions of Iams, Sci. Diet, and Purina. > Left out plain, mixed with water, also milk. She won’t eat it. What to do? > — Robert
I got my two at 8 weeks. I started them on a wet and dry mix at that time. Select a canned food with plenty of excess fluid, I found 9 Lives to be especially good at this but any grocery store quality food will do. Mix 1/4 tin (small 5 oz size) with 2 or three teaspoons of dry kitten food (quality brand preferred) and blend in well so all kibble are in contact with some of the wet food(add a little water if there are some dry kibble left when the kittens are through), you want the food to hide and add a little flavor to the kibble and juice to soften it. Put some dry food out for them to free feed on when the wet food is done. After a few weeks, you can stop mixing wet and dry as the kittens should now be eating most of their nutritional needs from the dry food. Even so be prepared to keep this up for a couple of months. I would keep changing the flavors and brands of canned food, consider mixing a few quality brands of dry together too. Do not feed the same brand or flavor of canned food two days in a row. If you keep changing the brand and flavor as a secondary benefit your kittens should not become finicky eaters. I found that I could change foods relatively rapidly without stomach problems with my cats after the kittens got used to the regime – go slow at the start though. If you are planning to eventually move them to an all dry diet, gradually reduce the amount in the wet feedings or their frequency. I would also consider mixing a few of the quality dry foods, different flavors and brands should be in the mix (I know one person who mixes up to five brands and flavors at a time). I feel a minimum of two quality dry foods would suffice but three might be a little better. Despite all the claims about nutritional completeness, I don’t believe that they ever really are and by mixing the cats have a better chance of actually getting a decent diet. Its worked with mine. Larry Osborne
Response:
I had the same problem when we got our Zakhari. He was about 10 weeks old and wouldnt touch the dry food. It wasnt until we got our second, Zelda, and SHE started eating the dry, that he gave it a go. She must have told him it was good and forced him to eat it.. you know how women are We tried everything too.. we wet it, we put it in with his wet food.. nothing worked, until SHE took him in hand Mari – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My kitten, Buffy, is about 11 weeks old. She is not interested in dry > food. I’ve bought the kitten versions of Iams, Sci. Diet, and Purina. > Left out plain, mixed with water, also milk. She won’t eat it. What to do? > — Robert > I got my two at 8 weeks. > I started them on a wet and dry mix at that time. > Select a canned food with plenty of excess fluid, I found 9 Lives to be > especially good at this but any grocery store quality food will do. Mix 1/4 > tin (small 5 oz size) with 2 or three teaspoons of dry kitten food (quality > brand preferred) and blend in well so all kibble are in contact with some of > the wet food(add a little water if there are some dry kibble left when the > kittens are through), you want the food to hide and add a little flavor to > the kibble and juice to soften it. Put some dry food out for them to free > feed on when the wet food is done. After a few weeks, you can stop mixing > wet and dry as the kittens should now be eating most of their nutritional > needs from the dry food. Even so be prepared to keep this up for a couple > of months. > I would keep changing the flavors and brands of canned food, consider > mixing a few quality brands of dry together too. Do not feed the same brand > or flavor of canned food two days in a row. If you keep changing the brand > and flavor as a secondary benefit your kittens should not become finicky > eaters. I found that I could change foods relatively rapidly without > stomach problems with my cats after the kittens got used to the regime – go > slow at the start though. > If you are planning to eventually move them to an all dry diet, gradually > reduce the amount in the wet feedings or their frequency. I would also > consider mixing a few of the quality dry foods, different flavors and brands > should be in the mix (I know one person who mixes up to five brands and > flavors at a time). I feel a minimum of two quality dry foods would suffice > but three might be a little better. > Despite all the claims about nutritional completeness, I don’t believe that > they ever really are and by mixing the cats have a better chance of actually > getting a decent diet. > Its worked with mine. > Larry Osborne
Response:
Giving such a young kitten(the other poster) dry food is like giving a human infant a steak. At three to four weeks you could give dry, soaked in hot water and mushed with a fork. hbfb
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I had the same problem when we got our Zakhari. He was about 10 weeks old and > wouldnt touch the dry food. It wasnt until we got our second, Zelda, and SHE > started eating the dry, that he gave it a go. She must have told him it was good > and forced him to eat it.. you know how women are > We tried everything too.. we wet it, we put it in with his wet food.. nothing > worked, until SHE took him in hand > Mari > > My kitten, Buffy, is about 11 weeks old. She is not interested in dry > > food. I’ve bought the kitten versions of Iams, Sci. Diet, and Purina. > > Left out plain, mixed with water, also milk. She won’t eat it. What to do? > > — Robert > I got my two at 8 weeks. > I started them on a wet and dry mix at that time. > Select a canned food with plenty of excess fluid, I found 9 Lives to be > especially good at this but any grocery store quality food will do. Mix 1/4 > tin (small 5 oz size) with 2 or three teaspoons of dry kitten food (quality > brand preferred) and blend in well so all kibble are in contact with some of > the wet food(add a little water if there are some dry kibble left when the > kittens are through), you want the food to hide and add a little flavor to > the kibble and juice to soften it. Put some dry food out for them to free > feed on when the wet food is done. After a few weeks, you can stop mixing > wet and dry as the kittens should now be eating most of their nutritional > needs from the dry food. Even so be prepared to keep this up for a couple > of months. > I would keep changing the flavors and brands of canned food, consider > mixing a few quality brands of dry together too. Do not feed the same brand > or flavor of canned food two days in a row. If you keep changing the brand > and flavor as a secondary benefit your kittens should not become finicky > eaters. I found that I could change foods relatively rapidly without > stomach problems with my cats after the kittens got used to the regime – go > slow at the start though. > If you are planning to eventually move them to an all dry diet, gradually > reduce the amount in the wet feedings or their frequency. I would also > consider mixing a few of the quality dry foods, different flavors and brands > should be in the mix (I know one person who mixes up to five brands and > flavors at a time). I feel a minimum of two quality dry foods would suffice > but three might be a little better. > Despite all the claims about nutritional completeness, I don’t believe that > they ever really are and by mixing the cats have a better chance of actually > getting a decent diet. > Its worked with mine. > Larry Osborne
Response:
sorry, I should have said other thread, not other poster. hbfb
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> But the kitten wasnt 3-4 weeks. It was 11weeks ? > Giving such a young kitten(the other poster) dry food is like giving a human > infant a steak. > At three to four weeks you could give dry, soaked in hot water and mushed > with a fork. > hbfb > > I had the same problem when we got our Zakhari. He was about 10 weeks old > and > > wouldnt touch the dry food. It wasnt until we got our second, Zelda, and > SHE > > started eating the dry, that he gave it a go. She must have told him it > was good > > and forced him to eat it.. you know how women are > > We tried everything too.. we wet it, we put it in with his wet food.. > nothing > > worked, until SHE took him in hand > > Mari > > > > My kitten, Buffy, is about 11 weeks old. She is not interested in dry > > > > food. I’ve bought the kitten versions of Iams, Sci. Diet, and Purina. > > > > Left out plain, mixed with water, also milk. She won’t eat it. What to > do? > > > > — Robert > > > I got my two at 8 weeks. > > > I started them on a wet and dry mix at that time. > > > Select a canned food with plenty of excess fluid, I found 9 Lives to be > > > especially good at this but any grocery store quality food will do. Mix > 1/4 > > > tin (small 5 oz size) with 2 or three teaspoons of dry kitten food > (quality > > > brand preferred) and blend in well so all kibble are in contact with > some of > > > the wet food(add a little water if there are some dry kibble left when > the > > > kittens are through), you want the food to hide and add a little flavor > to > > > the kibble and juice to soften it. Put some dry food out for them to > free > > > feed on when the wet food is done. After a few weeks, you can stop > mixing > > > wet and dry as the kittens should now be eating most of their > nutritional > > > needs from the dry food. Even so be prepared to keep this up for a > couple > > > of months. > > > I would keep changing the flavors and brands of canned food, consider > > > mixing a few quality brands of dry together too. Do not feed the same > brand > > > or flavor of canned food two days in a row. If you keep changing the > brand > > > and flavor as a secondary benefit your kittens should not become finicky > > > eaters. I found that I could change foods relatively rapidly without > > > stomach problems with my cats after the kittens got used to the regime – > go > > > slow at the start though. > > > If you are planning to eventually move them to an all dry diet, > gradually > > > reduce the amount in the wet feedings or their frequency. I would also > > > consider mixing a few of the quality dry foods, different flavors and > brands > > > should be in the mix (I know one person who mixes up to five brands and > > > flavors at a time). I feel a minimum of two quality dry foods would > suffice > > > but three might be a little better. > > > Despite all the claims about nutritional completeness, I don’t believe > that > > > they ever really are and by mixing the cats have a better chance of > actually > > > getting a decent diet. > > > Its worked with mine. > > > Larry Osborne
Response:
HBFB Where did the four week old kitten come from? This thread started with an eleven week old kitten, plenty old enough to be eating dry without doing harm. Larry Osborne
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Giving such a young kitten(the other poster) dry food is like giving a human > infant a steak. > At three to four weeks you could give dry, soaked in hot water and mushed > with a fork. > hbfb > I had the same problem when we got our Zakhari. He was about 10 weeks old > and > wouldnt touch the dry food. It wasnt until we got our second, Zelda, and > SHE > started eating the dry, that he gave it a go. She must have told him it > was good > and forced him to eat it.. you know how women are > We tried everything too.. we wet it, we put it in with his wet food.. > nothing > worked, until SHE took him in hand > Mari > > > My kitten, Buffy, is about 11 weeks old. She is not interested in dry > > > food. I’ve bought the kitten versions of Iams, Sci. Diet, and Purina. > > > Left out plain, mixed with water, also milk. She won’t eat it. What to > do? > > > — Robert > > I got my two at 8 weeks. > > I started them on a wet and dry mix at that time. > > Select a canned food with plenty of excess fluid, I found 9 Lives to be > > especially good at this but any grocery store quality food will do. Mix > 1/4 > > tin (small 5 oz size) with 2 or three teaspoons of dry kitten food > (quality > > brand preferred) and blend in well so all kibble are in contact with > some of > > the wet food(add a little water if there are some dry kibble left when > the > > kittens are through), you want the food to hide and add a little flavor > to > > the kibble and juice to soften it. Put some dry food out for them to > free > > feed on when the wet food is done. After a few weeks, you can stop > mixing > > wet and dry as the kittens should now be eating most of their > nutritional > > needs from the dry food. Even so be prepared to keep this up for a > couple > > of months. > > I would keep changing the flavors and brands of canned food, consider > > mixing a few quality brands of dry together too. Do not feed the same > brand > > or flavor of canned food two days in a row. If you keep changing the > brand > > and flavor as a secondary benefit your kittens should not become finicky > > eaters. I found that I could change foods relatively rapidly without > > stomach problems with my cats after the kittens got used to the regime – > go > > slow at the start though. > > If you are planning to eventually move them to an all dry diet, > gradually > > reduce the amount in the wet feedings or their frequency. I would also > > consider mixing a few of the quality dry foods, different flavors and > brands > > should be in the mix (I know one person who mixes up to five brands and > > flavors at a time). I feel a minimum of two quality dry foods would > suffice > > but three might be a little better. > > Despite all the claims about nutritional completeness, I don’t believe > that > > they ever really are and by mixing the cats have a better chance of > actually > > getting a decent diet. > > Its worked with mine. > > Larry Osborne
Response:
Why do you feel dry food is best? There is some thought now that canned food is better in the long run for good urinary tract health because it has more water than dry. The problem with feeding dry food only is that the kitten/cat may not be drinking enough water. As the cat gets older, if her water intake is not sufficient she may become prone to bladder infections. Kittens also have special dietary needs that aren’t the same as adult cats. You need to be sure you are feeding kitten food that has extra nutrients to help her grow strong. Some good basic advice on Kitten health care and feeding tips are on this page if you click below: http://www.geocities.com:80/Heartland/Pointe/9352/owners.html I would suggest that forcing her to eat only dry food might be harmful in the long run. Also training a cat to eat only one kind of food can be dangerous because they won’t adapt well to any necessary change in their diet later on. I got an e-mail from someone who’s cat had eaten nothing but a certain flavor of a certain brand of cat food for several years, and then the company went out of business. The cat refused to eat anything else and it became a dangerous situation for her. A combination of both dry and canned is best. I even add more water to canned food as my cats get older. There are some interesting articles on the relationship between water intake in food and feline urinary tract infections. If you’re interested you’ll find several links under Urinary Tract Infections here: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pointe/9352/alphalinks.html — Tally’s Page Cat Health & Behavior Links, Special Remembrances, Animal Issues & Photos! http://www.tallyville.com
Response:
But the kitten wasnt 3-4 weeks. It was 11weeks ? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Giving such a young kitten(the other poster) dry food is like giving a human > infant a steak. > At three to four weeks you could give dry, soaked in hot water and mushed > with a fork. > hbfb > I had the same problem when we got our Zakhari. He was about 10 weeks old > and > wouldnt touch the dry food. It wasnt until we got our second, Zelda, and > SHE > started eating the dry, that he gave it a go. She must have told him it > was good > and forced him to eat it.. you know how women are > We tried everything too.. we wet it, we put it in with his wet food.. > nothing > worked, until SHE took him in hand > Mari > > > My kitten, Buffy, is about 11 weeks old. She is not interested in dry > > > food. I’ve bought the kitten versions of Iams, Sci. Diet, and Purina. > > > Left out plain, mixed with water, also milk. She won’t eat it. What to > do? > > > — Robert > > I got my two at 8 weeks. > > I started them on a wet and dry mix at that time. > > Select a canned food with plenty of excess fluid, I found 9 Lives to be > > especially good at this but any grocery store quality food will do. Mix > 1/4 > > tin (small 5 oz size) with 2 or three teaspoons of dry kitten food > (quality > > brand preferred) and blend in well so all kibble are in contact with > some of > > the wet food(add a little water if there are some dry kibble left when > the > > kittens are through), you want the food to hide and add a little flavor > to > > the kibble and juice to soften it. Put some dry food out for them to > free > > feed on when the wet food is done. After a few weeks, you can stop > mixing > > wet and dry as the kittens should now be eating most of their > nutritional > > needs from the dry food. Even so be prepared to keep this up for a > couple > > of months. > > I would keep changing the flavors and brands of canned food, consider > > mixing a few quality brands of dry together too. Do not feed the same > brand > > or flavor of canned food two days in a row. If you keep changing the > brand > > and flavor as a secondary benefit your kittens should not become finicky > > eaters. I found that I could change foods relatively rapidly without > > stomach problems with my cats after the kittens got used to the regime – > go > > slow at the start though. > > If you are planning to eventually move them to an all dry diet, > gradually > > reduce the amount in the wet feedings or their frequency. I would also > > consider mixing a few of the quality dry foods, different flavors and > brands > > should be in the mix (I know one person who mixes up to five brands and > > flavors at a time). I feel a minimum of two quality dry foods would > suffice > > but three might be a little better. > > Despite all the claims about nutritional completeness, I don’t believe > that > > they ever really are and by mixing the cats have a better chance of > actually > > getting a decent diet. > > Its worked with mine. > > Larry Osborne
Response:
My kitten, Buffy, is about 11 weeks old. She is not interested in dry food. I’ve bought the kitten versions of Iams, Sci. Diet, and Purina. Left out plain, mixed with water, also milk. She won’t eat it. What to do? — Robert
Response:
I wouldn’t worry TOO much about it yet. Just keep a bowl of dry out all the time, and feed her canned 2-3 times a day at specific times. Usually when a kitten is hungry, and it is not time for wet food, it will slowly begin to take interest in the dry. You could always try topping the dry food with a little bit of wet. But make sure to discard any leftovers if she doesn’t eat it right away. I have fostered kittens and they gradually start to eat the dry on their own. I had 8 week old kittens just eating dry the last time I fostered. They were good little things! They were on the canned before however. Just be patient. I’m sure she will slowly begin to grasp the dry food concept. Just leave a bowl of it out for her, she’ll be sure to investigate. :-) Kelly
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My kitten, Buffy, is about 11 weeks old. She is not interested in dry > food. I’ve bought the kitten versions of Iams, Sci. Diet, and Purina. > Left out plain, mixed with water, also milk. She won’t eat it. What to do? > — Robert
Response:
> My kitten, Buffy, is about 11 weeks old. She is not interested in dry > food. I’ve bought the kitten versions of Iams, Sci. Diet, and Purina. > Left out plain, mixed with water, also milk. She won’t eat it. What to do? > — Robert
I got my two at 8 weeks. I started them on a wet and dry mix at that time. Select a canned food with plenty of excess fluid, I found 9 Lives to be especially good at this but any grocery store quality food will do. Mix 1/4 tin (small 5 oz size) with 2 or three teaspoons of dry kitten food (quality brand preferred) and blend in well so all kibble are in contact with some of the wet food(add a little water if there are some dry kibble left when the kittens are through), you want the food to hide and add a little flavor to the kibble and juice to soften it. Put some dry food out for them to free feed on when the wet food is done. After a few weeks, you can stop mixing wet and dry as the kittens should now be eating most of their nutritional needs from the dry food. Even so be prepared to keep this up for a couple of months. I would keep changing the flavors and brands of canned food, consider mixing a few quality brands of dry together too. Do not feed the same brand or flavor of canned food two days in a row. If you keep changing the brand and flavor as a secondary benefit your kittens should not become finicky eaters. I found that I could change foods relatively rapidly without stomach problems with my cats after the kittens got used to the regime – go slow at the start though. If you are planning to eventually move them to an all dry diet, gradually reduce the amount in the wet feedings or their frequency. I would also consider mixing a few of the quality dry foods, different flavors and brands should be in the mix (I know one person who mixes up to five brands and flavors at a time). I feel a minimum of two quality dry foods would suffice but three might be a little better. Despite all the claims about nutritional completeness, I don’t believe that they ever really are and by mixing the cats have a better chance of actually getting a decent diet. Its worked with mine. Larry Osborne
Response:
I had the same problem when we got our Zakhari. He was about 10 weeks old and wouldnt touch the dry food. It wasnt until we got our second, Zelda, and SHE started eating the dry, that he gave it a go. She must have told him it was good and forced him to eat it.. you know how women are We tried everything too.. we wet it, we put it in with his wet food.. nothing worked, until SHE took him in hand Mari – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My kitten, Buffy, is about 11 weeks old. She is not interested in dry > food. I’ve bought the kitten versions of Iams, Sci. Diet, and Purina. > Left out plain, mixed with water, also milk. She won’t eat it. What to do? > — Robert > I got my two at 8 weeks. > I started them on a wet and dry mix at that time. > Select a canned food with plenty of excess fluid, I found 9 Lives to be > especially good at this but any grocery store quality food will do. Mix 1/4 > tin (small 5 oz size) with 2 or three teaspoons of dry kitten food (quality > brand preferred) and blend in well so all kibble are in contact with some of > the wet food(add a little water if there are some dry kibble left when the > kittens are through), you want the food to hide and add a little flavor to > the kibble and juice to soften it. Put some dry food out for them to free > feed on when the wet food is done. After a few weeks, you can stop mixing > wet and dry as the kittens should now be eating most of their nutritional > needs from the dry food. Even so be prepared to keep this up for a couple > of months. > I would keep changing the flavors and brands of canned food, consider > mixing a few quality brands of dry together too. Do not feed the same brand > or flavor of canned food two days in a row. If you keep changing the brand > and flavor as a secondary benefit your kittens should not become finicky > eaters. I found that I could change foods relatively rapidly without > stomach problems with my cats after the kittens got used to the regime – go > slow at the start though. > If you are planning to eventually move them to an all dry diet, gradually > reduce the amount in the wet feedings or their frequency. I would also > consider mixing a few of the quality dry foods, different flavors and brands > should be in the mix (I know one person who mixes up to five brands and > flavors at a time). I feel a minimum of two quality dry foods would suffice > but three might be a little better. > Despite all the claims about nutritional completeness, I don’t believe that > they ever really are and by mixing the cats have a better chance of actually > getting a decent diet. > Its worked with mine. > Larry Osborne
Response:
Giving such a young kitten(the other poster) dry food is like giving a human infant a steak. At three to four weeks you could give dry, soaked in hot water and mushed with a fork. hbfb
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I had the same problem when we got our Zakhari. He was about 10 weeks old and > wouldnt touch the dry food. It wasnt until we got our second, Zelda, and SHE > started eating the dry, that he gave it a go. She must have told him it was good > and forced him to eat it.. you know how women are > We tried everything too.. we wet it, we put it in with his wet food.. nothing > worked, until SHE took him in hand > Mari > > My kitten, Buffy, is about 11 weeks old. She is not interested in dry > > food. I’ve bought the kitten versions of Iams, Sci. Diet, and Purina. > > Left out plain, mixed with water, also milk. She won’t eat it. What to do? > > — Robert > I got my two at 8 weeks. > I started them on a wet and dry mix at that time. > Select a canned food with plenty of excess fluid, I found 9 Lives to be > especially good at this but any grocery store quality food will do. Mix 1/4 > tin (small 5 oz size) with 2 or three teaspoons of dry kitten food (quality > brand preferred) and blend in well so all kibble are in contact with some of > the wet food(add a little water if there are some dry kibble left when the > kittens are through), you want the food to hide and add a little flavor to > the kibble and juice to soften it. Put some dry food out for them to free > feed on when the wet food is done. After a few weeks, you can stop mixing > wet and dry as the kittens should now be eating most of their nutritional > needs from the dry food. Even so be prepared to keep this up for a couple > of months. > I would keep changing the flavors and brands of canned food, consider > mixing a few quality brands of dry together too. Do not feed the same brand > or flavor of canned food two days in a row. If you keep changing the brand > and flavor as a secondary benefit your kittens should not become finicky > eaters. I found that I could change foods relatively rapidly without > stomach problems with my cats after the kittens got used to the regime – go > slow at the start though. > If you are planning to eventually move them to an all dry diet, gradually > reduce the amount in the wet feedings or their frequency. I would also > consider mixing a few of the quality dry foods, different flavors and brands > should be in the mix (I know one person who mixes up to five brands and > flavors at a time). I feel a minimum of two quality dry foods would suffice > but three might be a little better. > Despite all the claims about nutritional completeness, I don’t believe that > they ever really are and by mixing the cats have a better chance of actually > getting a decent diet. > Its worked with mine. > Larry Osborne
Response:
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