Cat Food – Should You Choose Canned Or Dry Cat Food

This is usually a matter of choice. Dry food can be left out for the cat at all times,

but canned food will spoil if not eaten within two hours. Store dry food in the original bag or a secure container, tightly closed, in a cool, dry, pest proof place. Refrigerate canned food after opening.

The queen’s nutrient demands start to increase early in pregnancy, rising more acutely when she is nursing kittens. She needs an abundant, high quality diet, AAFCO certified for reproduction and/or growth. Leave food out or feed all she will eat several times a day, monitor her weight gain.

When a kitten is three weeks old, start her on canned or dry kitten growth food mixed with cat milk replacer or water. In the next few weeks, gradually decrease the amount of liquid in the mixture.

After weaning is complete at seven to nine weeks, kittens should be fed free choice or all they will eat three or four times a day. At about one year of age, slowly introduce kittens to an adult maintenance diet.

Adult or canned food should be fed at least twice a day. Dry food maybe fed free choice, but guard against obesity. Observe your cat’s body condition. You should be able to feel, but not see, the ribs. If not, consult your veterinarian about a weight loss program.

Cats are easily upset and fastidious. Feed in a peaceful, quiet place, away from household traffic patterns and litter boxes. Give each cat a separate dish. Use wide, flat, glass or ceramic dishes with low sides.

Do not use plastic; cats may develop skin problems from contact with plastic dishes. If you have to change your cat’s diet, mix with a small amount of the new food with the accustomed food, and slowly increase the proportion of the new over three to five days.

Normal cats on good diets do not need supplements or treats, which may have adverse effects. For example, if milk is given in quantity, it will not only unbalance the diet but may cause diarrhea in the adult cat.