Cat Transition Guide

While a fresh, raw diet is the most natural and biologically appropriate way to feed our feline friends, we understand that it can be daunting for some. Cats, as obligate carnivores, will thank you for making this decision to prioritise their health and happiness by feeding them raw. However, we know that they can be quite discerning and may not readily adapt to change. That’s why engaging in a transition plan is often the best way to go. Below, we discuss a few tips to help this process go as smoothly as possible.

Take it slow:

This is key. Each cat will be different and you will know yours best but it’s best to implement any new diet gradually. Sudden changes can lead to tummy upset and a suspicious kitty. What you don’t want to do is put them off before even getting started. This is particularly important for adult cats who may have been fed their old food over several years. Begin by adding small, bite-sized amounts of fresh, raw food to their old food. Get them used to the smell, appearance and texture without overwhelming them.

Portion Size:

Keep the small, bite-sized portion for at least 3-4 days before considering an increase- even if (as usually happens) they take to it straight away. Their tummy may still need some time to adjust and, again, we don’t want any experience that might dissuade them from their new tucker.

Portion Increase:

Gradually increase the amount of new food while removing some of the old. How slowly or quickly this can be increased will need to be decided on a case-by-case basis but it’s not unheard of for this to take weeks or even months. Stay patient- this is a good choice for their health and the day will come when they do not want anything to do with that boring old food!

Protein Source:

Stick to one protein to begin with. While food allergies are nearly not as common as some would have you believe, it’s a good idea to introduce only one protein at a time. This can help save a lot of time and effort later on if they do happen to have a negative reaction- it can be identified early on.

Routine:

Keep their routine. It’s important not to introduce too many new changes at once. Keep feeding them at the time they’re used to.

Life Stage:

Theoretically, it should be much easier for kittens than older cats. Cats are known for imprinting on food at a very early stage- so adult cats may prove a bit less enthusiastic. If this is the case, they can be encouraged to eat by adding some kind of high-value topper, such as goat’s milk or bone broth

Patience:

We’ve said it before but we’ll say it again- patience, patience, patience! Try not to be too discouraged if it’s not the immediate success you were hoping for. Here’s one potential reason why- palatants. Palatants are artificial flavour enhancers which are added to almost all commercially available kibbles and are what the kitty becomes accustomed to over time. Therefore, they may not immediately recognise the real food you’ve just given them as ‘food’. It goes without saying these should not be considered part of a healthy diet and weaning kitty off them will only bring benefits in the long run.

Preference:

Many cats have a preference for their food to be served at a similar temperature to live prey. Consider ‘warming’ their meal in a bowl of warm water- this can be a great help. Of course, never ever cook it- cooked bone is dangerous.

Approach:

Unlike dogs, who can go several days without eating, and with whom a ‘battle of wills’ can be won, cats are a different proposition. We do not recommend taking this approach with them. Domesticated cats have developed changes in their livers to help them process the un-necessary carbohydrates that are part of most commercial diets. Depriving them of food can result in harmful fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Ensure they eat and try again the next day.

Whether your transition takes mere days or stretches into several weeks, please be confident that making this choice of cat food is going to provide so many health benefits in the long term. Don’t be discouraged early on! If you would like any further information or have questions specific to your own pampered panther, please feel free to shoot us an email to team@cdk9raw.com.au and we’ll be happy to help.