Switching food and eating after move?

Cutegrapefrute

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Hi! I have two male cats (litter mates) who are 8 years old neutered. One is average about 10.5lbs and the other is overweight at 15lbs. I recently adopted them from my parents right after I moved so they are in a new situation. I want to change their diet for a few reasons being quality of food and the chubby boy needs to lose a few lbs. At my parents' they were eating (an unknown) dry food and Friskies wet food. Since the move, which has been 4 days at time of posting, they have not had any dry food. They first day they ate friskies, the second day they had just friskies but they didn't eat much, and now I have tried adding a very small bit of new food into their friskies. They seem very uninterested. They will nibble at it, but won't finish a portion at a time. I need some tips on how to get them to try new things.

There are so many questions and worries in my head!! Should I be waiting longer to switch them? should I go back to supplementing their wet with dry? Are they maybe not eating much because they are still shaken up from moving or is it just the type of food i'm mixing in?

I have been giving them more treats than usual because I see they don't touch their food as much. They haven't had a bowl movement since the first day and I am thinking its because they aren't eating much, but they have been drinking and urinating. I am calling a vet today, as I need to find a new one since I moved to a different state but any tips would be appreciated!
 

neely

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Are they maybe not eating much because they are still shaken up from moving or is it just the type of food i'm mixing in?
Yes, that was my first thought when I read your post. Cats are finicky especially when it comes to new surroundings so a move plus changing their diet could be the culprit. Best to transition them slowly and give them lots of reassurance. There are a few Articles that may have some helpful information for you:

Transitioning Your Cat From Kibble To A New Type Of Food – TheCatSite Articles
How To Move With Your Cat To A New Home In A Safe Way – TheCatSite Articles
How To Help A New Cat Adjust To Your Home – TheCatSite Articles

For the overweight cat this Article might help: Is Your Cat Overweight? – TheCatSite Articles

Best of luck, please keep us posted on your vet visit. :alright:
 
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Cutegrapefrute

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Best of luck, please keep us posted on your vet visit. :alright:
Thanks! Just got back from the vet and they said pretty much the same thing (its probably just because of the move) and since they are still eating a small amount not to worry unless it continues for a few weeks. as far as switching food its best to do it really slowly because they might be picky and in this case its best if they eat at all, not necessarily what they are eating. The articles are very helpful as well<3

I will continue with small meals and very small amounts of the new food with old, something around 95% old 5% new until they are eating the amount they should be. I guess its not all bad since according to the vet the one I thought was my skinny boy could lose some weight too... however he doesn't look overweight on a body score chart:dunno: idk lol

Thanks again for the help and pointing me to some articles
 

mrsgreenjeens

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Be really careful with the bigger guy. Do make sure he is eating enough that he doesn't get Fatty Liver. Overweight cats can get that fairly easily from not eating enough and that can be a deadly disease :frown: I know because I lost one to it. He needs to be eating at least 2/3 of his normal caloric intake. did your new Vet discuss that with you?
 
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Cutegrapefrute

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did your new Vet discuss that with you?
He didn't say anything about fatty liver but i assume its because they were still eating a little bit. Thanks for mentioning that. a week or so out now and they are eating just fine
 
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