Food Transition Question

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halifaxhoney

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I'm beginning transitioning MacKenzie and Chloe from Whiskas Dry to Chicken Soup Dry and from Fancy Feast Wet to Merrick Wet, so far so good. Also I have just purchesed a Catit Fountian for their water so I think they are drinking more water now. Could this possibly upset their system while they get used to it? I think drinking may be more appealing to them since it's always cold.

The questions that I do have are kind of important. I've been free feeding my cats, should I stop doing that? Also can a transition of diet affect behavior, since I have two cats I can't figure out which one did it but yesterday someone peed on the carpet and someone pooped on the bathroom floor close to their litter, do you think that this could have something to do with change of diet or possibly because litter level was low? I know this might sound like silly questions but I would really appreciate some insight!
 
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beandip

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I don't think the extra water will upset their system. It should help.

On the pee/poop outside of the box...if this is the first time it's happened I would keep a close eye on them. It could have been the litter, like you said. Diet change is considered stressful for a cat, and stress can bring on health problems like a urinary tract infection. A prime symptom for a UTI is peeing outside the box so it is something to pay close attention to....not a silly question at all. If there is any sign of anything odd again, definitely call the vet. If you already know which one did it, you could always go ahead and call for peace of mind. Sorry, I read that again and see that you don't know which one.

On free feeding, that's a personal decision...but it mainly depends on your cats. Are they maintaining healthy weights? If so you can probably do fine continuing with it. After a lifetime of cats that self-regulated their food intake pretty well, I've finally run into 2 of mine that don't. I've recently switched to meals and I'm very happy with the results.
 
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sharky

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Originally Posted by beandip

I don't think the extra water will upset their system. It should help.

On the pee/poop outside of the box...if this is the first time it's happened I would keep a close eye on them. It could have been the litter, like you said. Diet change is considered stressful for a cat, and stress can bring on health problems like a urinary tract infection. A prime symptom for a UTI is peeing outside the box so it is something to pay close attention to....not a silly question at all. If there is any sign of anything odd again, definitely call the vet. If you already know which one did it, you could always go ahead and call for peace of mind. Sorry, I read that again and see that you don't know which one.

On free feeding, that's a personal decision...but it mainly depends on your cats. Are they maintaining healthy weights? If so you can probably do fine continuing with it. After a lifetime of cats that self-regulated their food intake pretty well, I've finally run into 2 of mine that don't. I've recently switched to meals and I'm very happy with the results.
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only question how fast are you switching .... I always try to get people with dry to transition over about 7-10 days
 
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halifaxhoney

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Well as for dry food I'm mixing a little Whiskas in with the new food and they are trying some better quality wet food as well. I'm thinking that this will probably be done over a two week period.
 
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