I'm a newer member so I guess I'll start off by giving just a little background information about me and my kitties before jumping right into the question.
I am the very proud mommy to 2 cats named Cassidy and Delaney. Cassie is a 1 year old, female, medium-haired, orange and white tabby. She is spayed, up-to-date on her vaccinations, and just under 7 pounds. She is healthy with her only known health issue being mild gingivitis. Delaney is about 11 months old and is also female. She is a domestic short hair and is a brown and white tabby. She is very petite at just 5 pounds (though she is rapidly growing now that she is healthy and in a nurturing environment) and is spayed, up-to-date on her vaccinations, and healthy. Both girls have had issues with upper respiratory infections (possibly herpes), but are currently not showing any signs or symptoms. They are your typical young cats -- spunky, playful, and super sweet. And I couldn't be happier!
But, that being said, I wish I could be happier with their diet. Both Cass and Laney came from the same shelter, but were adopted separately at different times. However, since they were at the same shelter, they were both being fed the same diet -- Hill's Science Diet: Healthy Kitten Development. Once I brought Cassidy home, I immediately wanted to switch her to a better quality food such as the Wellness I had been previously feeding my RB kitty, Hank. However, Cass wanted nothing to do with the Wellness, the Chicken Soup for the Kitten Lover's Soul, or any of the other healthier options I looked into. I even tried Nutro, Purina One, and various other brands of dry and moist food without avail. The only dry food she will touch is the Science Diet and while it's frustrating to me, I suppose it's better than the alternative -- her not eating at all. And with Delaney the situation is the same...
I have tried slowly weaning them from the Science Diet to a better quality food, but each time I even attempt to mix it in with their regular dry food, the only food that is eaten is the Science Diet. I've also tried offering both types of food in separate dishes and that, too, stands alone. I've tried different flavors, mixing it in with their wet food, and only offering the better quality dry food, but with each attempt it's much of the same. That all being said, I'm finally coming to the realization that my kitties might just be as stubborn and picky as I am and that I need to focus on what they will eat rather than what they won't. But is this an okay stance to take? Or should I be continually trying to manipulate their food tastes (to my wallet's detriment and their discontentedness)?
I should also say that I do free feed the Hill's Science Diet (a 50/50 mix of the Kitten Healthy Development formula and the Adult Optimal Care formula) along with a 3 ounce can (per cat) of either Fancy Feast, Friskies, or Whiskas wet food. I've also tried the better quality wet foods on Cass and Laney, but they will let it sit whereas with the above brands they are at least getting in some nutrition and moisture. They eat well so long as I cater to their tastes, but I worry about the effect it's going to have on their health in the long-term. While I know Science Diet is certainly not ideal, am I doing the right thing by feeding them what they will eat?
I do provide healthy treats where possible and I also supplement, on occasion, with a raw diet and other natural foods. They are steadily gaining weight at this point and also receive Lysine supplements to help assist repair and protect their immune system due to their possible past herpes infection. My vet is happy with where they are physically and they are apparently healthy, but it doesn't hurt to ask questions and explore alternative options, either. And that's what I'm doing here...
How have you cat owners dealt with the finicky eaters in your life? And, do you think I'm on the right track here or do I need to take another look at what may or may not be right for my girls?
I love my kitties to pieces and want to do all that I can to protect their health so that they will be healthy, happy, and, well, living, for as long as possible. So, that all being said, any suggestions?
I am the very proud mommy to 2 cats named Cassidy and Delaney. Cassie is a 1 year old, female, medium-haired, orange and white tabby. She is spayed, up-to-date on her vaccinations, and just under 7 pounds. She is healthy with her only known health issue being mild gingivitis. Delaney is about 11 months old and is also female. She is a domestic short hair and is a brown and white tabby. She is very petite at just 5 pounds (though she is rapidly growing now that she is healthy and in a nurturing environment) and is spayed, up-to-date on her vaccinations, and healthy. Both girls have had issues with upper respiratory infections (possibly herpes), but are currently not showing any signs or symptoms. They are your typical young cats -- spunky, playful, and super sweet. And I couldn't be happier!
But, that being said, I wish I could be happier with their diet. Both Cass and Laney came from the same shelter, but were adopted separately at different times. However, since they were at the same shelter, they were both being fed the same diet -- Hill's Science Diet: Healthy Kitten Development. Once I brought Cassidy home, I immediately wanted to switch her to a better quality food such as the Wellness I had been previously feeding my RB kitty, Hank. However, Cass wanted nothing to do with the Wellness, the Chicken Soup for the Kitten Lover's Soul, or any of the other healthier options I looked into. I even tried Nutro, Purina One, and various other brands of dry and moist food without avail. The only dry food she will touch is the Science Diet and while it's frustrating to me, I suppose it's better than the alternative -- her not eating at all. And with Delaney the situation is the same...
I have tried slowly weaning them from the Science Diet to a better quality food, but each time I even attempt to mix it in with their regular dry food, the only food that is eaten is the Science Diet. I've also tried offering both types of food in separate dishes and that, too, stands alone. I've tried different flavors, mixing it in with their wet food, and only offering the better quality dry food, but with each attempt it's much of the same. That all being said, I'm finally coming to the realization that my kitties might just be as stubborn and picky as I am and that I need to focus on what they will eat rather than what they won't. But is this an okay stance to take? Or should I be continually trying to manipulate their food tastes (to my wallet's detriment and their discontentedness)?
I should also say that I do free feed the Hill's Science Diet (a 50/50 mix of the Kitten Healthy Development formula and the Adult Optimal Care formula) along with a 3 ounce can (per cat) of either Fancy Feast, Friskies, or Whiskas wet food. I've also tried the better quality wet foods on Cass and Laney, but they will let it sit whereas with the above brands they are at least getting in some nutrition and moisture. They eat well so long as I cater to their tastes, but I worry about the effect it's going to have on their health in the long-term. While I know Science Diet is certainly not ideal, am I doing the right thing by feeding them what they will eat?
I do provide healthy treats where possible and I also supplement, on occasion, with a raw diet and other natural foods. They are steadily gaining weight at this point and also receive Lysine supplements to help assist repair and protect their immune system due to their possible past herpes infection. My vet is happy with where they are physically and they are apparently healthy, but it doesn't hurt to ask questions and explore alternative options, either. And that's what I'm doing here...
How have you cat owners dealt with the finicky eaters in your life? And, do you think I'm on the right track here or do I need to take another look at what may or may not be right for my girls?
I love my kitties to pieces and want to do all that I can to protect their health so that they will be healthy, happy, and, well, living, for as long as possible. So, that all being said, any suggestions?