Why do you need to change your cat's food?
Your vet may recommend your cat is fed a different or special diet.
This may be to help, for example, in:
- Controlling a specific disease (eg, diabetes or kidney
disease) - Controlling your cat's weight
- Tempting an inappetent cat to eat
- Improving recovery from surgery or illness
- Improving your cat's diet based on its age and needs
How to change your cat's food
Some cats develop strong preferences for certain foods, but following a few simple tips can make changing the diet much easier.
Always follow your vet's advice on how to introduce a new diet, but in general:
- Make the change to a new diet gradual over 3–7 days (or even longer if you have a very fussy cat)
- Start by mixing a small amount of the new diet with the old diet
- If your cat accepts the new diet, gradually increase the amount of the new and decrease the amount of the old diet over several days until only the new diet is being fed
- If your cat is reluctant to take the new diet, make the change more gradual, over a longer period
- If using wet (tinned or sachet) food, warm it slightly (to body temperature) to enhance palatability
- If done gradually, most cats accept a change in diet, but talk to your vet if you need any further help or advice
Cat Friendly Clinic is a programme from the International Society of Feline Medicine, the veterinary division of the charity International Cat Care (www.icatcare.org).
The programme is generously supported by: Purina in Europe
