New Food

[Jmakk8285]

Getting two kittens in a couple of days. Age 9.5 weeks. They’ve been eating Fancy Feast Patè Kitten and Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Kitten. I’m planning to switch to Hills Science Diet Kitten for both wet and dry food. Can I do a complete switch at once since they are so young or should it be gradual still?

 

[Furballsmom]

Hi!
I'm thinking you may want to be cautious and do a gradual shift, just to be sure their tummies can handle the new food

Oh, and check if they have been introduced to filtered water.

 

[Jmakk8285]

Thank you. That’s what I was planning to do, just wasn’t sure if it was necessary.

 

[Kris107]

It isn't always necessary but a quick change in food could lead to some upset tummies or poops.

 

[IzzysfureverMom]

Definitely do a slow transition. While some kitties may not be super sensitive many are and can causes GI issues and complicates transitioning to a new food. Congratulations on your new family members

 

[Alldara]

Theyll show you if it's necessary. Ghost came home with a small 1lb bag of the food they had him on. Wouldnt touch it.

He would eat the wet food but thr SPCA gives a variety anyway. Sometimes just whatever is donated.

So after 48 hours when he didn't touch the dry food, and the significant increase of wet in his diet caused me to have to clean his bum 3 times...i gave him some of the Purina urinary our boys were on and he ate it up!

So no slow transition for him. No liquid poos but definitely super soft poos that didn't hold their shape well.

On the otherhand Calcifer needed a slow slow slow transition.

 

[cataholic07]

Do a very slow transition and I would wait at least a month. The stress of a new move as well as the typical vetting you will have (vaccines and dewormers) all do a number on the system so you dont want to add extra stress to the stomach. Hills isnt the best quality of brand imho as it has alot of fillers in it that can cause tummy issues to. Check out catfooddb.com for a list of foods, at least it will give you more info about any questionable ingredients, nutrition quality and as well potential food allergens (though anything can be a food allergen lol)