PetFoodDude.com

Two Things to Remember When Choosing a Cat Food…

• Cats were bred to be desert dwellers and depend on getting at least some of their liquid nutrition from their food.
  Sure, we’ve domesticated cats to where they will drink water, but it bucks against instinct. Simply put, a cat’s digestive system is not set up to process a dry kibble, no matter how good the kibble is.
• Like dogs, cats are carnivores, or meat eaters. (Actually, they are even more-so carnivores than dogs.) Sure, some grains and veggies are ok, but all that is really required for a happy, healthy cat is a good source of protein with moisture.

If you’ve ever cat a cat die of kidney failure at a young age, chances are pretty good that it was caused by feeding a lifetime of only dry kibble. Cats must get some liquid nutrition through their food.

If you feel that you absolutely must feed your cat a dry kibble, please consider supplementing their diet with at least some canned or raw food. Even a little bit, (a teaspoon a day,) helps immensely.

You should also consider a water fountain for your cat. Cats like running water, and are much more likely to drink appropriate amounts of water with one.

How to Transition Your Cat or Dog to a New Food

When you are changing pet foods, particularly when you are changing brands of food, you’ll want to transition, or slowly introduce, your pet to the new food.

I’ve talk to some people that take literally months to transition their pet to a new food. I’m not a big believer in that. I figure if you’re going to change foods, then do it. Chances are, if you’re trying to get your pet off of a particular food, then there’s a reason for it, so I believe in transitioning the pet to the new food as quickly as possible so your pet can reap the benefits of the new food faster.

How I Transition Pet Foods

Like I said, I like to transition pet foods rather quickly, a week.

• 2/3 old food, and 1/3 new food for 3 days
• 2/3 new food, and 1/3 old food for 3 days
• Done!

Transition Aids

Chances are, if you are transitioning foods, you are transitioning your pet to a better food. Therefore, your pet will be getting better, and somewhat more intense nutrition. This could show up with your dog or cat being a little “gassy, or they may have a little bit of the “runs.” This is actually pretty normal, the symptoms should go away within a day or two, but here are a couple things you can use to help in the transition…

• Since you are transitioning to a food with better nutrition, cut back on the portion size. Try easing back about 25% from what you were feeding. If you were feeding a cup of the old food, try 3/4 cup of the new food.
• Try more, but smaller meals.
• Add a tablespoon or so of either plain (not flavored) yogurt, or canned pumpkin. Either one will help firm things up in the back yard, and settle the stomach, though the pumpkin will turn things bright orange in the yard! : )
• Add a spoonful of Holistic Transition. It’s a great probiotic powder you sprinkle over your pet’s food.

Hope this helps!