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Picky kitten - can I just feed him tuna IF

post #1 of 5
12/13/10 at 8:56am
Thread Starter 
he is also eating his dry food? He eats Wellness kitten health kibble just fine. But he is SOOO picky about wet foods, I've given him a zillion different things and really, he just wants tuna from a can or chicken that I cook on the stove. The only canned food he regularly likes is fancy feast, but I thought that wasn't good food. I just tried Authority yesterday, and he kind of licked it a little and left it.

Ok, question breakdown:
SHould I just pick a brand and consistently give it to him until he's forced to like it or be hungry?
Is it enough nutrition to give him just tuna if he's eating kitten kibble?
Is Fancy Feast a bad option in this situation?

Thank you!
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post #2 of 5
12/13/10 at 9:34am
I guess it would depend on how much tuna he gets every day. . .a tablespoon per day probably won't hurt, but an entire can of tuna every day would cause some imbalances. But I think that if you give in to his preference for tuna now, when he's young, he may at some point start refusing kibble for tuna, and then you'll really be in trouble. I wouldn't give tuna or chicken more often than once a week or so.

Fancy Feast isn't terrible. If that's what he'll eat, go for it! Some flavors are better than others. . .try to avoid artificial coloring.

I would keep trying him on different brands occasionally. He's still young and his tastes will change as he grows.

How much dry and how much *other food* does he eat?
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post #3 of 5
12/13/10 at 10:16am
Two extremely important reasons for NOT feeding "people tuna"

1. Cats can develop yellow fat disease

Detailed information here:

http://www.connollyac.com/showpracfa...=168&Private=0


2.
Quote:
The human variety of tuna fish contains an enzyme that destroys vitamin B1 (thiamine). Cats that regularly eat tuna can develop a vitamin B1 deficiency, which results in neurological symptoms like dilated eyes, loss of equilibrium, seizures and death if this vitamin is not replaced. The scientific name of this disease is polioencephlomalacia.
Link:
http://www.battlegroundhospital.com/faq_cat#3
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post #4 of 5
12/13/10 at 10:32am
If the only wet he'll eat is Fancy Feast - go with Fancy Feast - check to make sure it's AAFCO approved as a maintenance food (as opposed to a treat).

I'd also offer him small amounts of different wet foods just to see - but I wouldn't get hung up over FF if that's what works.
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post #5 of 5
12/13/10 at 4:00pm
Can also alter urine PH and create elevated mercury and magnesium levels. Occasional treat, no problem. As a daily thing, no.

Nothing wrong with giving em what they prefer if its healthy, but IMO picky eaters just shouldn't be pampered too much. Withhold food, and kitty will eat moldy corn flakes. Let em get a bit hungry and eat healthy food you provide, and they'll get used to it. Provide treats and give in to every whim, and they'll learn to hold out for "the good stuff" and stick their little pink noses up at anything less.
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