Tips on switching to canned food
Question:
My vet suggested I switch to canned food for various reasons, but I need some tips on the switch. I’ve been emptying one of those small pull tab cans into their bowl and chopping it up, but they only eat a little at a time. Is it okay to leave that wet food out for a while? Can cats get used to a "meal time" after having full time access to dry food? Also, any suggestions on a brand of food that’s healthy, helps control weight, and isn’t too expensive? Thanks in advance, -Paul
Response:
>I’ve been emptying one of those small >pull tab cans into their bowl and chopping it up, but they only eat a >little at a time. Is it okay to leave that wet food out for a while?
Hi Paul, It’s okay to leave it out for a little while, but I wouldn’t leave it out for more than 1/2 hour. The food does have preservatives but it gets hard and yucky if you leave it out too long. As to switching from dry to wet food, you might take some dry food and add a bit of water, so as to make a paste. Then mix in a small amount of canned food, maybe a teaspoon. Let the cats eat it like that for a few days, then continue but keep increasing the amount of canned food to the dry paste, until eventually you’re going to end up with all canned food. >Can cats get used to a "meal time" after having full time access to >dry food?
They will eventually I believe, once they realize that the kibble isn’t out there for them to graze on all day. It’s much healthier for them too as some cats tend to nibble all day and put on weight. >Also, any suggestions on a brand of food that’s healthy, helps control >weight, and isn’t too expensive?
I believe that the extra money spent on a high quality commercial food is savings further down the line as you’ll have a healthier cat. I would recommend Petguard, Felidae, California Natural, Innova, Wysong or Wellness. Some of these foods aren’t available at pet supply stores, but can be found at a health food type grocery store, such as Whole Foods. HTH, Lauren =^..^= See my cats: http://www.picturetrail.com/mickey4paws/703043 To Error is Human, To be Purrfect is Feline
Response:
> My vet suggested I switch to canned food for various reasons, but I > need some tips on the switch. I’ve been emptying one of those small > pull tab cans into their bowl and chopping it up, but they only eat a > little at a time. Is it okay to leave that wet food out for a while? > Can cats get used to a "meal time" after having full time access to > dry food? > Also, any suggestions on a brand of food that’s healthy, helps control > weight, and isn’t too expensive? > Thanks in advance, > -Paul
Mine will not eat more than 2 oz. at a time (the girl 1 oz.) So I feed them more frequently (6 a.m, 6 pm.and 10 pm). I also cut way back on access to dry food, which then increased their appetite. I found they like no wet food accept a few fancy feast (cat candy) which are fish flavored and vorbotten to them and Petguard flavors Premium feast and Turkey barley (I know, what cats need barley but they like it and it has no fish). Karen
Response:
> My vet suggested I switch to canned food for various reasons, but I > need some tips on the switch. I’ve been emptying one of those small > pull tab cans into their bowl and chopping it up, but they only eat a > little at a time. Is it okay to leave that wet food out for a while? > Can cats get used to a "meal time" after having full time access to > dry food? > Also, any suggestions on a brand of food that’s healthy, helps control > weight, and isn’t too expensive? > Thanks in advance, > -Paul
I agree with another poster that says to leave the canned food out no more than a 1/2 hour (probably less if it’s summertime or humid). Yes, cats can get used to a scheduled meal time–mine did, after eating exclusively dry food. I feed Nutro Gourmet Classics. They are small cans with chunks in gravy (vs the usual pat
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