We all know that we should eat a variety of foods at each meal. It’s not just about our taste buds; experts usually advise us to eat “a rainbow” of foods on our plates in order to get enough nutrition. But, what about your cats? Can you feed your cat different brands of food?
Yes, you can feed your cats different brands of food. There’s nothing wrong with feeding your cats a choice of brands and kinds of wet food. In fact, it’s a great approach to make sure they’re getting a well-balanced diet.
This article will talk about the reasons why you should feed different brands of food to your feline companion.
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Can I Feed My Cat Different Brands Of Food?
Yes, you can feed your cat different brands of food, as long as your cat is not showing any signs of illness.
Some cats do much better if they eat the same thing every day.
The reasons can range from diet-responsive health issues such as inflammatory bowel disease or food allergies to a more general “sensitive stomach” that resists change to extreme finickiness.
If your cat is thriving on a nutritionally complete and balanced diet that meets her whims and medical needs, Experts would strongly advise against making a change.
A varied diet, on the other hand, has advantages, as long as your cat’s gastrointestinal tract can handle it.
Any life-stage appropriate, commercially prepared food labeled as nutritionally complete should meet all of a cat’s basic (emphasis on the basic) dietary needs, even if that individual’s only source of nutrition.
Our understanding of feline nutrition isn’t perfect, and commercially prepared foods aren’t all the same. One brand might have a little more of this, another a little less of that, and a third something that the other two don’t have.
One way to hedge your bets is to rotate through several different types of cat food in the hope that, in aggregate, they will provide exactly what is required.
You are already doing this to some extent if you provide both canned and dry food on a daily basis.
You can further mix things up by combining two or more types of dry food in the bowl, which also works if you only feed dry food. To ensure freshness, buy smaller bags of food because you’ll be going through them more slowly.
How Do I Switch Dry Cat Food Brands?
You can switch dry cat food brands by: –
- Begin the transition by combining her current food and her new cat food. Reduce the amount of current cat food gradually while increasing the amount of new cat food. Repeat this process for the next 7 days. Slowing down the transition can result in fewer digestive issues and better acceptance of the new cat food.
- Keep in mind to be patient. The transition time could be 10 days or slightly longer for finicky, older, or sick cats.
- In some cases, such as acute gastrointestinal issues, your veterinarian may not recommend a transition and may instruct you to begin feeding the new cat food right away.
- To your cat’s dry food, add a food topper like CORE Simply Shreds. Your cat will enjoy the taste and texture, and they will receive important nutrients for a well-balanced diet. You can also combine the topper with the dry food to ensure that they finish the entire bowl.
- Hand-feeding your cat a few pieces of dry food can sometimes help with the transition. Before switching over, use the dry food as a treat or snack to get them used to the taste and texture.
It might not be an ideal transition, but your cat will not go hungry. Allow them time to adjust to the change by easing them into it gradually and lovingly.
Switching Wet Cat Food Brands Benefits
There are several benefits of switching wet cat food brands. Some of them are: –
1. Reduce Cat’s Pickiness
Rotating your cat’s diet helps prevent him from developing a preference for a single brand.
It’s not a big deal until you need to change your cat’s diet.
Even if you believe you will not change his diet, you cannot predict when a medical diagnosis will necessitate dietary changes, nor can you predict when a manufacturer will discontinue production of a specific line of food or even change the recipe of a specific brand.
And what if you run out of cat food unexpectedly and are unable to obtain a specific brand overnight?
2. Keeping Up To Date
Finding the best commercial cat food brand takes a lot of effort. Once you’ve found one, it takes even more effort to realize that a better one might be just around the corner.
The pet food industry is rapidly evolving, with new foods appearing on a regular basis. What was considered premium cat food ten years ago is now considered junk food.
If you are used to introducing new pet foods into your cat’s diet on a regular basis, you can develop the habit of keeping track of these changes and becoming more informed.
3. Balanced Diet
There is no such thing as a complete and balanced formula in the pet food industry, just as there is no such thing as a complete and balanced formula in human food.
Your cat’s nutritional needs do not remain constant; they change throughout the day. Assuming that a single cat food contains all of the necessary ingredients is a high-stakes bet (your cat’s health).
Why not improve your cat’s chances of good health by feeding him more than one “complete” but distinct diet? The best way to achieve this is to change the type of food you feed your cat at each meal.
How Do You Change Wet Cat Food Brands?
You can change wet cat food brands by: –
Depending on your cat’s health, you may want to transition over a week or so, just like you would with dry food, to avoid gastrointestinal issues.
Use a flat dish to make it easier for your cat to get to the food. Using a plate will also help reduce the possibility of whisker stress, which occurs when a cat’s whiskers become hypersensitive and uncomfortable as a result of rubbing against the food bowl.
When compared to refrigerated options, room-temperature food can be easier to eat and more appealing to our feline friends. If you must refrigerate leftovers, leave them out for a short period of time before serving to your cat so they can warm up to room temperature.
Experiment with different texture options to see what your cat prefers. Pates, gravies, minced options, sliced meats, and morsels are all available in the market.
Cats prefer wet food to dry food, so the transition is usually easier. However, wet food can be high in fat, so choose the right option for your cat’s age, activity level, and health.
Mixing Cat Food Brands
While mixing cat food brands you should keep in mind that If you make the change too quickly, your cat might have diarrhea, reduced appetite, and even vomiting.
We may want to get this transition over with as soon as possible, but there are a few things to keep in mind when switching cat food.
Cats can experience side effects from new food in the same way that we do when we change our diets. If you make the switch too quickly, your cat may experience diarrhea, decreased appetite, and even vomiting.
If you have an older cat, the transition may take up to two weeks to see results. Take it slowly, ease them in, and keep an eye out for any changes in behavior that could indicate an issue.
While we are responsible for our cat, our veterinarians are experts in the field of animals. Check-in with them about potential diet options and collaborate with them to ensure your cat is transitioning foods safely.
New Cat Food Feeding Tips
New cat food feeding tips are: –
Allow for privacy and a calm dining spot away from other cats and loud noises.
Feed your cat by hand, at least at first. The person who feeds the cat should have a positive relationship with the feline.
Along with dry cat food, provide moist or canned cat food.
Ensure that all of your cat foods are stored properly to ensure their quality and freshness.
If you’ve refrigerated moist or canned cat food, bring it to room temperature before feeding. To disseminate “hot patches” that appear during microwave warming, stir thoroughly. It’s too hot to feed if it’s too hot to touch.
To avoid your cat’s whiskers brushing against the side of the dish, serve canned cat food on a flat dish or saucer. To make it easier for your cat to lick, pour a small bit of warm moist cat food on the edge of the dish at first.
If your veterinarian has prescribed a special therapeutic cat food for a specific health issue, make careful to talk to her veterinarian about how to transition her cat food. She may have further suggestions to assist you and your pet if there are any unique circumstances.
Therapeutic cat food has its own set of characteristics and feeding requirements. Let your veterinarian know if you like a specific type of cat food (moist/canned, dry, or both) so they may offer one that compliments and addresses your cat’s condition. Adding cat meals from the grocery store or pet store can significantly reduce the therapeutic cat food’s benefit and may jeopardize your cat’s health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it bad to keep switching cat food brands?
No, it is not bad to keep switching cat food brands as long as the cat is not showing any kind of illness. Changing your cat’s food to a different brand is often acceptable. There’s no reason why you can’t switch things up as long as the new food is complete and balanced, appropriate for your cat’s life stage, and they appreciate the taste.
Why does my cat only like one brand of food?
Your cat may like only one brand of food as the foods are given a distinct and strong aroma and flavor that cats find appealing. The cats are conditioned to believe that a certain combination of texture, smell, and flavor represents food, and they take comfort in this belief.
Can I mix wet and dry cat food?
It’s fine to mix wet and dry dog or cat food as long as both are of excellent quality and match your pet’s nutritional and other health requirements. Wet and dry foods of high quality are intended to give your pet all of the protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients he or she requires to thrive.
Can cats eat only dry food?
Many cat owners only feed their pets dry food. As long as it’s comprehensive and balanced, dry food is acceptable. Cats who only eat dry food should be given plenty of freshwaters, especially if they are prone to urinary system obstructions.
Can cats only eat wet food?
A lot of people believe that cats only need to consume canned food and that if they eat dry food, they would become ill. However, most cats can survive on either. However, cats with urinary tract difficulties, diabetes, or kidney illness may benefit from the increased moisture content of wet food.
Final Words
Keep in mind that these are merely suggestions. The needs of a cat vary according to its size, energy level, and health issues. Consult your veterinarian to determine how many calories your cat should consume per day.
Whatever way you choose for your feline companion, make sure to select high-quality food that will supply her with the nutrition she requires to live a long and happy life. If you think your cat is having trouble when its diet is changed, its recommend that you make an appointment with your veterinarian to figure out the best course of action.
References
- https://www.rspcapetinsurance.org.au/pet-care/cat-care/what-should-feed-cat
- https://icatcare.org/advice/feeding-your-cat-or-kitten/
- https://www.msdvetmanual.com/management-and-nutrition/nutrition-small-animals/nutritional-requirements-and-related-diseases-of-small-animals?network=g&matchtype=b&keyword=cat%20nutrition%20requirements&creative=319152860374&device=c&devicemodel=&placement=&position=&campaignid=1656615836&adgroupid=65454696884&loc_physical_ms=9061719&loc_interest_ms=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqp-LBhDQARIsAO0a6aIJ7L7lIeXHP4o53spIA4mxTkMfaG1HFNic1RS4MAUZcI44VPF81mYaAqY9EALw_wcB
