When To Switch From Kitten To Cat Food
Most kittens are ready to make the jump from kitten food to cat food at about six months old. However, some kittens may need more time to transition successfully. It’s important for pet owners to understand cat food and its effects on a kitten’s health so that they can make the best decision for their furry friend.
The Switching Process
When you’re ready to switch from kitten to adult cat food, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
First, don’t feed your kitten the same amount of food that you would an adult cat. Adult cats are typically fed one or two ounces per pound of body weight daily (for example, if your kitten weighs six pounds [2.7 kg], she should get about 12 ounces [340 g] of food each day). Kittens should be fed approximately three times this amount—so if your kitten weighs six pounds (2.7 kg), she should get about 18 ounces (510 g) of food each day.
Second, don’t feed your kittens the same amount of food as adult cats either! Young cats need more nutrients than adults do because they are still growing and developing their muscles and bones; young animals also have faster metabolisms than older ones do so they burn energy at a higher rate which means they need more calories too!
How to Transition
The best way to make the switch is gradually. Mix the dry food with a small amount of wet food and gradually increase the amount of wet food until you’re feeding exclusively wet food. Cats are creatures of habit, so don’t rush the process or make too big a deal out of it—just be patient!
When you first start feeding your kitten dry food, he may refuse to eat it at all. Don’t panic! Keep offering small portions until he gets used to eating dry food regularly.
How Long to Transition Your Cat?
The length of the transition period depends on your pet. Some cats take longer than others to adjust to new food, so if you see that your cat is having trouble digesting the new food, it’s okay to extend the transition period. That said, there are other benefits to extending this time frame as well—the longer you can make them eat kibble before they go back to a raw diet, the less likely they will be to develop allergies or sensitivities later on in life. A few weeks is ideal; any less than a month and there’s a greater risk of digestive issues.
When switching from kitten formula (high protein) to adult cat formula (lower protein), it’s important not only that you follow instructions carefully but also how much water you provide during each mealtime: always remember that when cats go from eating canned food or raw diet they need more moisture in their diet because they’re eating more dry kibble now which doesn’t contain as much moisture as canned foods do.
Importance of the Transition Phase
The transition phase is one of the most crucial parts of your kitten’s life. The reason for this is that if you don’t take care of it right, you could end up with a cat who won’t eat or who develops food allergies. The transition phase should be done slowly over a period of two weeks. It’s very important that you do not change foods too quickly! You want to ease them into their new diet by mixing the new food with old food until they are eating only their new diet.
If your cat won’t eat during this process and refuses to try their new food, go back to what they were eating before and try again another time (maybe after a week instead). If this happens more than once, contact your vet because something may be wrong with your pet!
Signs of Transition Trouble
It is important to note that if your kitten is not eating, vomiting or having diarrhea, you should seek veterinary care immediately. If you are certain that the issue is related to the switch in food and it appears that your kitten is having a reaction, we recommend discontinuing use of this particular brand of food until you can consult with us or another qualified veterinarian for advice on how best to proceed.
It can be difficult to transition a kitten from kitten food to cat food, but it must be done.
It can be difficult to transition a kitten from kitten food to cat food, but it must be done. Kitten food is lower in protein and higher in carbohydrates than cat food, and it also contains more calories—all of which may make your cat less likely to eat the proper diet as an adult. Moreover, kitten food is often more appealing to your cat because of its sweet flavor or the toy attached to the packaging. Moreover, if you have ever bought a bag of kitten chow (or any other brand), you’ll know that they are expensive!
The switch to adult food shouldn’t be rushed. It’s an important transition that should be done slowly and carefully if you want your kitten to have a happy and healthy life. Transitioning is also necessary because your pet’s digestive system will change as they get older, which means you’ll need to make sure their food is appropriate for the new needs of their bodies.
