Cats are creatures of habit in the truest sense of the word. They only eat what they know. In the wild, this prevents them from eating poisonous plants or animals. But it also ensures that new cat food doesn't get into your bag so easily.
Cats who are used to other foods hardly or not at all accept high-quality food. Cheaper food contains many flavor enhancers, which makes the cat's food taste better. However, the quality of cat food plays a crucial role in ensuring a balanced, protein-rich diet. High-quality cat food without inferior ingredients and with a high meat content is important so that the cat's needs are met.
Since changing the food is not easy, especially for our tigers, we have collected a few tips for changing the food for you here.
But why should a change of food be necessary at all?
Reasons for changing your cat's food
- Your cat is overweight and needs to lose weight.
- Your cat has an allergy or food intolerance.
- You have discovered a better food.
- There are medical reasons, for example kidney disease.
- Your cat will become an adult or senior.
Switch the cat food to high quality food
Whatever the reason behind your cat's change in food, make sure to choose high-quality food that covers your animal's nutritional needs. Read the ingredients on the packaging and choose a food that contains meat or fish as the main ingredient and ideally does not contain fillers such as grains or soy or sugar.
A high meat content is important in animal feed, especially for our tigers. As carnivores, they should eat mostly meat and fish so that they get all the necessary proteins and nutrients.
Every cat has individual needs
Every animal is unique. A food that is good for one cat may not be ideal for another kitty. Consider your tiger's age, activity level and health needs when choosing food.
If you are unsure which food is best for your animal, especially if it is sick or overweight, or how best to make the transition, do not hesitate to ask your veterinarian for advice. Veterinarians can provide individual recommendations based on your pet's needs.
Get your cat used to new food slowly
Then it’s time to change the feed. When changing food, do so gradually, gradually mixing the new food with the old. Feeding a picky cat requires patience and experimentation to find what works best for your cat. A sudden change can cause refusal in picky cats. You should plan two to three weeks for the entire food change.
Changing the feed works best with the substitution method. Start by adding the new food to the old food in small amounts. Once your tiger has accepted the food mixture for two days, you can gradually increase the amount of new food until you have finally switched to the new food completely. If your cat refuses the food again in between, you have to take a step back and increase the proportion of the old food.
Cat doesn't accept the change in food - what to do?
If your cat refuses to eat completely, you will have to give up trying for now, because a cat should never go hungry as this can lead to liver failure.
In addition to the substitution method, there are a few other tricks. So you can try to warm the new lining a little (make sure it doesn't get too hot and feel beforehand whether the heat level is right). Heating makes the smell more intense and the cat may find the food more appealing.
You can also try to make your cat's new food palatable in a playful way, for example with a lick mat. Or you can sprinkle treats or a little dry food as a topping over the wet food.
If you do have to go back to the old food, you can put a bowl with the new food next to it. After a few days, your tiger will get used to the smell and may even become curious. You can add additional water to the old food. This way it tastes less intense and the other one becomes more appealing.
Watch your cat while changing food
During the transition phase, you should watch your tiger carefully. Watch for signs of digestive problems such as diarrhea, vomiting, or loss of appetite. If such symptoms occur, slow down the transition or temporarily return to the old food. If problems persist, consult your veterinarian.
Pay attention to your cat's water supply
Make sure your kitty has enough water available during the food change. Fluid intake is particularly important when switching from wet food to dry food, as wet food has a higher moisture content.
If you are looking for a new food for your cat, it is important that you pay attention to a high meat content and natural, high-quality ingredients. Dogs'n Tiger food does not contain any artificial flavors, grains or added sugar. Instead, we rely on a high meat content, monoprotein sources and species-appropriate recipes that are based on the animals' needs. In addition to muscle meat, offal such as liver, lungs or heart are rich sources of protein and are ideal for cat food. Production runs according to food standards.
For example, try our DELICIOUS wet food with pure turkey and valuable linseed oil:
