How to Successfully Transition Your Cat's Food
You have found the optimal food for your kitty and would love to tear open the new bag and serve her the tasty menu in her bowl right away? Wait! Cats are creatures of habit and do not eagerly dive into new food. Here, we explain some tricks to easily convince your four-legged friend to try the new diet.
In the Beginning Was the Skeptical Cat
A quick sniff at the bowl, a scrutinizing glance, a wrinkling of the nose, and your kitty turns on her heel. The new food remains rejected in the bowl - and you have spent a lot of time researching a better, healthy food.
No need to worry: Your cat's lack of enthusiasm for the new food is due to the fact that cats naturally do not eat anything that is new to them. In the wild, it is safer to rely on the food they know. This way, cats protect themselves from eating poisonous substances and plants. Your kitty cannot assess whether the new food is perhaps tastier or better than the old one. For her, her familiar food is primarily one thing: safe.
With Patience to the New Food
To help your cat gradually get used to the new food and learn that eating it is completely safe and tasty, you can initially mix small portions into the familiar food. Be sure to reduce the amount of the previous food accordingly. Based on the feeding recommendation on the packaging, you can easily find out how much food your kitty needs per day. A transition period of about 10 days is recommended. The plan could look something like this:
- Day 1-3: Add 25% of the new food to the previous food
- Day 4-7: Add 50% of the new food to the previous food
- Day 8-9: Add 75% of the new food to the previous food
- From Day 10: Feed 100% of the new food
The Familiar Feeding Spot
Any change causes stress for your kitty. Therefore, when she is confronted with new food, it is advisable not to change the familiar feeding environment. Serve her the new food in the same place where she usually eats. A fixed feeding time that creates routine can also have a positive effect on the transition.
Use Snacks Wisely
Do you like to spoil your kitty with a snack in between? We can understand that! However, during the food transition, it is worth reducing snack consumption a bit. The greater the appetite, the more likely a new food will be accepted, even if it is initially viewed with skepticism.
Important: Snacks are not a substitute for a balanced main meal – they should make up a maximum of 10% of daily calories. This way, the diet remains balanced.
Nevertheless, treats can also have their place during the transition – provided they are used consciously. Whether as a small reward or a fine extra to motivate eating: Properly combined, snacks can even help promote acceptance of new varieties – without blowing the calorie budget.
Increasing Acceptance
Well-used snacks can not only reward but also support the transition to new food. Especially when your kitty is initially skeptical, it is worth focusing on targeted toppings. Many cats love creamy or liquid extras – this can suddenly make even unfamiliar food interesting. A small portion of our →"Snack Crèmes", [→"Snack Pasten"](https://www.petsdeli.de/collections/fur-katzen-snacks/pasten) or [→"Soups"](https://www.petsdeli.de/collections/fur-katzen-snacks/suppe) as a topping can make a difference.
The perfect combo can be found in our →Acceptance Box: a balanced mix of crèmes and soups, ideally tailored to gently and enjoyably introduce your cat to the new food.
Easy Transition
Especially when dogs or cats have previously been fed low-quality food that often contains flavor enhancers, artificial flavors, or sugar, the transition to natural food can be difficult – but not impossible. With patience, consistency, and our tips, the transition can be very simple.
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Deine Katze frisst nicht? Kein Grund zur Sorge!
Any Questions?
We are always here for you and are happy to support you with the food transition, either by phone or via email.
If you have questions about Pets Deli, our products, or healthy feeding for your kitty, feel free to contact us from Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM.
