Food help needed

I adopted 2 Scottish Folds a couple of days ago. I need some more food advice so thought I'd post here.

They are finally starting to eat a bit. Their previous diet was free eating dry meow mix for hairballs and half a can each of publix wet food per day. My plan was to switch them to all or mostly wet on a really good brand like wellness after they settled in.

The problem is that they have only eaten the wet food and won't touch their usual meow mix. The only thing I changed was to put it in their wet food bowls because I didn't want them free eating so I can monitor if they actually ate
The girl has only picked at stuff...I'm not too worried since it's only been 2 days. The boy scarfs down the wet food.....and then vomits it back up a while later.

I'm guessing several reasons could be the cause. He is prone to hairballs and shedding like crazy from stress. But I don't see much hair in the vomit. He could just be barfing from stress. But I'm also thinking it's because he will only eat the wet food and he is used to mostly dry.

So today, I mixed in a little wellness health on top of his meow mix. Not too much, just a little. And he scarfed down the pellets and left only the meow mix, lol.

So how do you slowly transition them over when they dont want their old food???

Congrats on your new kitties.
I had the same issue with my new kitty Hobbes in terms that he did not eat his dry food at all. His foster mom said he was having Purina One Kitten and so I got that. Hobbes did not eat for 2 days and then would only eat wet, and did not touch his dry. I was, at the time giving my other kitten only wet since he was dealing with tummy issues and I put both of them on only wet for 10 days or so and then slowly introduced dry back. Due to Calvin's issues I have tried various dry food, either slowly transitioning (except for Purina One, both Calvin and Hobbes have taken well to all dry food, they did not pick out particular ones during the transition phase) or just witholding dry for a few days and then slowing introducing the new brand of dry.
So if the boy can slowly eat and tolerate the wet, you can remove dry for a while. You may have to sit with him and give him his wet food a little at a time. Since Hobbes had never had wet food before and he had congestion from his URI, I also got really fishy smelling fancy feast for him. Later he transitioned into better quality food. So maybe you can get something like that to attract the girl to eat more. I was told by the vet and many experience posters here that I should not let my kitten go without eating for over 2 days and force feed if necessary. Thankfully at the end of the 2nd day, Hobbes started eating

Also check the various posts on hairball issues in the health section - there are many helpful tips there. When Hobbes first came he was shedding tons, probably due to bad nutrition/ health and stress. I started giving him a little vaseline at a time and that has helped greatly.
Wish you all the best and hope you cherish your new kitties for years to come

Thanks! I forgot to mention they are 4 years old.

If he only eats the wet, could that be causing the vomitting.

Originally Posted by Bonniec

Thanks! I forgot to mention they are 4 years old.

If he only eats the wet, could that be causing the vomitting.

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From what I know and from experience, introducing/ changing wet food does not cause vomitting / tummy troubles. Many use various varieties of wet food in rotation and unless there is a food allergy, things should not create a problem. My cats do better on a full wet diet and Hobbes was on a full dry and then a full wet and he had no issues but then that's only 1 cat.

Is he eating too fast? I've heard that putting a tennis ball in the bowl of food or placing it a little higher help slow down their eating.

I am sure others more experienced will chime in here. But could he be allergic to any ingredients? Are you giving him Publix still? If so that should not create problems since he's used to that. Maybe stress or hairball? Not sure what it can be if it's none of the above. Have you taken them to the vet yet? Maybe you can bring this up with the vet.

We used to have some vomitting issues when Kittica ate her wet food meals too fast. It all came to an end when she realized she was no longer a stray and that the food supply at our house wouldn't run out. Now she actually leaves half of her meal, or even more than that, and comes back a bit later to finish it off. Or just gives up eating the whole serving at times.

For the first few months, she ate like a little fast piggy.

I think he does eat fairly fast but but Im not really sure. He definately loves the stuff! It could just be the stress. I'll give it a couple of days and see how they do and settle in. If it continues I'll take them to the vet.

Congratulations on your new family members, and hurray for you for adopting adult cats!

My advice is just chuck the meow mix and feed them the good canned food. Give them a little probiotic every day for a few weeks to help their digestive system adjust to the better food.

PS Feed smaller portions more frequently. If you are using the 5.5 oz cans just put down 1/8 can in a little water, at a time. After they eat that, put down 1/8 can more..and so on.

Congrats on the new family members. A new environment and the introduction of the new wet food (I assume you introduced them to new wet and not the old Publix they were eating) could be what is causing the vomiting. I wouldn't let them go too long without eating. Obviously the wet food is much more appealing than the old dry food. You indicated you were going to eliminate kibble from their diet so I would do it now. Doesn't sound like they are eating it anyway. You might try feeding several small meals a day to see if the one cat settles down a bit and stops gulping his food. You might also check with your vet if this continues but I'm guessing it's just all the changes in their lives.

No, they are still on the publix wet food, half a can each per day.

The meow mix WAS the main source of good but they aren't touching it. Today I bought some dry wellness health and sprinkled a little on top on the know mix. They ate most of the wellness and left the meow mix, lol

Originally Posted by Bonniec

No, they are still on the publix wet food, half a can each per day.

The meow mix WAS the main source of good but they aren't touching it. Today I bought some dry wellness health and sprinkled a little on top on the know mix. They ate most of the wellness and left the meow mix, lol

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Are you going to keep them on the Wellness dry? Sounds like you're going to make that a permanent switch. If you're going to take them off the Publix wet you might mix the wet up a bit to give a different variety.

My kitties like Nutro Max and Nutro Natural Choice cat foods (of course Both are all natural, premium foods and my kitties love the wet food. Now and then I'll buy another brand just to give them a change but their wet diet is mostly Nutro. Their kibble is Nutro as well. I think it boils down to what the cat will eat, mostly. The cat rules the roost

I'm going to keep them on a little dry food. Sometimes we stay overnight somewhere and want to be able to leave out dry food on those occasions. They've been on mostly dry. So I thought the wellness was a good choice?

I'll be switching them to mostly wet. Maybe I'll pick up a few different brands of wet today and see what they like. Switching wet food brands around is usually ok right?

Congrats on your new family members!
Food is always a journey....everyone has different experiences.....I have had a major journey and huge costs with food -- between vomiting, diarrhea and crystals...it has been a lot of work trying to get to the bottom of this.

My seven cats (ages 3-10yrs) were always vomiting -- one or another....
I switched to raw feeding after a very sick wonderful animal who passed
with terrible diarrhea and vomiting and it was too late once his signs really showed.
For me personally, that turned on a light....I studied books and many cat information sites and learned about the digestive system...I know it seems like a lot...it ends up the most fun and healthful thing.

It is a process - originally all 7 cats were on Wellness wet and dry -- from there it went to different prescription diets due to different problems....
When my big boy got ill - I was desperate to save him and started on a scientific journey to try and get a handle on the diets...all the different prescriptions...the vet bills...the sick cats....

Anyway through experimenting - stopping dry kibble cold turkey -- and transitioning them as well as myself --
All vomiting has completely stopped!

Stools do not stink....less stools,
their coats have gotten softer and more shiney.

At first I used my own bought anti-biotic free foods and lots of supplements...but we have a tiny apartment...it was too much....I tried every frozen raw food out there -- but still was not satisfied that is was species specific - the picture of a dog and cat just did not do it for me. Cats have very specific needs - which is why on a can of food or bag of kibble, the list of ingredients are endless.
After much research in trying to find a frozen raw food -- I have settled on feeding them 'Felines Pride" - not inexpensive -- but when I look at all the vet bills and most importantly - my sick animals - it is worth every penny pound per pound. The foods have appropriate supplements and added amounts that may get lost in freezing. It is mailed 2 day Fed.X. frozen with Icepacks.

I found my way through trying and testing...sometimes I add other raw organic foods - raw chicken liver, raw chicken wings....and the cats are having a blast...they have fun waiting and watching...And the love put in to the food is wonderful for me.
It is a journey and a process - but well worth it and for me very fun.
My husband wants to know where the 'human' food is in our refrigerator!

HAIRBALLS: you can put some butter on the roof of their mouth or somewhere they will lick it off....that helps the hairballs 'slide' -(don't put a dab on their paw - they may shake it off) -- cat remedy for hairballs is pretty much flavored vasoline.

Books that helped: "Raising Cats Naturally" by Michelle T. Bernard
and "Veternarian's guide to Natural Remedies for Cats" - Martin Zucker
sites that helped me on this search -
http://www.felinespride.com
http://www.feline-nutrition.org
http://www.catnutrition.org
http://www.catinfo.org
Lisa Pierson, DVM
[email protected]
http://www.charlesloopsdvm.com/

Hope some of these experiences help with your journey!

I wish you well and hope your babies are doing great.!!

Butter actually digests too quickly to do much for hairballs. That's why petroleum jelly (vaseline or in commercial hair ball remedies) is so effective.

Originally Posted by Bonniec

I'm going to keep them on a little dry food. Sometimes we stay overnight somewhere and want to be able to leave out dry food on those occasions. They've been on mostly dry. So I thought the wellness was a good choice?

I'll be switching them to mostly wet. Maybe I'll pick up a few different brands of wet today and see what they like. Switching wet food brands around is usually ok right?

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'Wellness' is a good product -PetGuard - Wysong -
Switching up different types of proteins is good to do - also I think cats like variety as they would get in the wild.
I never had problems switching wet foods around.

Originally Posted by otto

Butter actually digests too quickly to do much for hairballs. That's why petroleum jelly (vaseline or in commercial hair ball remedies) is so effective.

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Yes...that is probably right....that vaseline will drag through....
I read from a few holistic vets that they have had some success with butter...I guess trying can't hurt for lubrication.
I brush my cats regularly....they don't seem to get constipated from hairballs...they usually throw up hairballs. (lovely)

1. "A pinch of psyllium husk powder w digestive enzymes can help pass hairballs...." Nancy Scanlan, DVM
2. Brushing is important
3. "Vaseline appears to be a benign substance that glues hair together and helps slide the hair out in the feces. It doesn't seem to be absorbed in the body. You can smush a bit into your cat's mouth....." Jean Hofve, DMV
She says to wait at least an hour after feeding so as not to interfere with the absorbtion of food.

Good luck....!

Originally Posted by ReginaKitty

Yes...that is probably right....that vaseline will drag through....
I read from a few holistic vets that they have had some success with butter...I guess trying can't hurt for lubrication.
I brush my cats regularly....they don't seem to get constipated from hairballs...they usually throw up hairballs. (lovely)

1. "A pinch of psyllium husk powder w digestive enzymes can help pass hairballs...." Nancy Scanlan, DVM
2. Brushing is important
3. "Vaseline appears to be a benign substance that glues hair together and helps slide the hair out in the feces. It doesn't seem to be absorbed in the body. You can smush a bit into your cat's mouth....." Jean Hofve, DMV
She says to wait at least an hour after feeding so as not to interfere with the absorbtion of food.

Good luck....!

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Yes several good ideas there. However I recommend that hair ball remedy be given on an EMPTY stomach so it can glom onto hair not food, and wait at least two hours before feeding, because it can interfere with nutrient absorption.

I brush daily also, the three who allow it, Mazy does not, but I still use hair ball remedy on a regular basis. every 4-5 days in winter, every 2-3 days during shedding months (March through October)

I'm brushing them several times a day. Every stroke down the back results in a ton of hair. I'm sure it's the stress.

Originally Posted by Bonniec

I'm going to keep them on a little dry food. Sometimes we stay overnight somewhere and want to be able to leave out dry food on those occasions. They've been on mostly dry. So I thought the wellness was a good choice?

I'll be switching them to mostly wet. Maybe I'll pick up a few different brands of wet today and see what they like. Switching wet food brands around is usually ok right?

Click to expand...

Switching wet foods should be okay. If you notice any vomiting or loose stool you might want to not feed them the brand you think is making them have issues. I personally have never had issues switching out brands or formulas. I've stuck to the Nutro brands because my cats like them and I've had good luck with them. They've also eaten Wellness (they weren't too excited about it) wet, Blue wet and Science Diet wet. Nutro is still their favorite. Good kitties know daddy works for Nutro

If your meezer isn't having any reactions from one brand to the next it should be just fine.