Dry food only for a 3 month old kitten?

My sister in law adopted a 3 month old kitten 2 weeks ago, and she has been feeding her only dry food, even though the shelter would give one wet and one dry. She told me it was because she was worried the cat would react to a different food by vomiting when she was out taking the kids to school, and working. Or something like that. Today she told me its just that she "doesnt have enough money."

Its not my business, so i just told her to be careful since cats dont drink water as much as dogs and need the wet food, and water available all day long. But i still worry for this little cat, can she get sick from eating only dry food? I know its none of my business but i still worry.

My cats eat dry food only (once a week or so they get a little wet for a treat). Over the years I have never had a problem with cats or kittens eating dry and all have never had a problem drinking enough water. I would feed wet only if I could but cost is a big issue for me for me as well.

My own thoughts are that on forums like these alot of people here have problems with cats having problems from what they eat more so than the rest of the world. Thats why they are here, to get advice and learn more how to solve those problems. The magority of cats in this world do not have them though and do eat dry. If your sisters kitty ends up with problems then mention the wet to her otherwise dont worry so much or make her feel guilty for her choice. 

ilovemia said:

 If your sisters kitty ends up with problems then mention the wet to her otherwise dont worry so much or make her feel guilty for her choice. 

Click to expand...

Like i said its not my business, thats why all i told her was what i knew that cats dont drink a lot of water and need wet food. And that was only because she mentioned it to me without my asking. I only give people advice when they ask me for it.

terestrife said:

Like i said its not my business, thats why all i told her was what i knew that cats dont drink a lot of water and need wet food. And that was only because she mentioned it to me without my asking. I only give people advice when they ask me for it.

Click to expand...

I'm sorry if I upset you. I dont think I worded things exactly like I wanted them to be understood. I'm glad you are able to talk to your sister when she asked and give her good advice. 

Your advice to your sister-in-law is straight on. Cats DO need wet food in their diet every day. Cats fed a dry diet only are dehydrated and most likely have a perpetual stomachache. Since cats hide signs of minor discomfort (and extreme pain even) one won't notice a cat doesn't feel good on a dry diet, what they will notice is the improvement when the cat is put on a canned diet.

Your sister is concerned about the scheduling of feeding wet food? It's actually not that hard to feed a scheduled wet food diet, but at the very least, if she is going to feed both dry and canned, she could do the canned meal at night, when things are quiet. Make the last meal of the night a canned meal, you know?

Canned food isn't really all that expensive, and it is WAY cheaper than the vet bills she may eventually be faced with, with a cat eating an all dry diet.

I know plenty of people that feed their cats nothing but hard food - some starting as a tiny kitten. Is wet food better? Probably. I should eat more fruits and veggies but don't and I'm still here. 

The scheduling of wet food could be done in the evening when she is home. And maybe a few cans of Friskies can mysteriously show up on her porch every once in a while

ilovemia said:

I'm sorry if I upset you. I dont think I worded things exactly like I wanted them to be understood. I'm glad you are able to talk to your sister when she asked and give her good advice. 

Click to expand...

I wasnt upset! i just didnt want you to think that i go around hounding people that dont agree with me, or forcing my opinion on people. lol

otto said:

Your advice to your sister-in-law is straight on. Cats DO need wet food in their diet every day. Cats fed a dry diet only are dehydrated and most likely have a perpetual stomachache. Since cats hide signs of minor discomfort (and extreme pain even) one won't notice a cat doesn't feel good on a dry diet, what they will notice is the improvement when the cat is put on a canned diet.

Your sister is concerned about the scheduling of feeding wet food? It's actually not that hard to feed a scheduled wet food diet, but at the very least, if she is going to feed both dry and canned, she could do the canned meal at night, when things are quiet. Make the last meal of the night a canned meal, you know?
Canned food isn't really all that expensive, and it is WAY cheaper than the vet bills she may eventually be faced with, with a cat eating an all dry diet.

Click to expand...

I dont like to say bad things about people, but i dont think my sister in law really prioritizes her pets. She has a chihuahua that she feeds house food, because she was upset that people would give him meat when they cooked. She told me the true reason she hasnt given her cat wet food is because shes getting married in a month (in court) then having a party at her house. She just spent $200 on a dress to wear to her party, the odd thing is she even spent $150 on a cat tree so the cat wont scratch her furniture. And then she told me she doesnt have enough money and will have to wait until her party is over.

i dont like criticizing people, so i didnt say anything to her, except to be careful that her cat doesnt get dehydrated. the ironic thing is that she wants people to wear a specific color for her party pictures, i dont have a dress in that color and i only have $30 bucks at the moment. I need to buy my cat food as i only have for 2 more weeks.... im choosing to buy my cat food, its more important to me than a dress. i feel bad for the cat, but its not my cat, and all i can do is give her advice when she asks. i hope the cat is fortunate and doesnt get sick, since there are some people that have told me they feed only dry food and have healthy cats.

otto said:

Your advice to your sister-in-law is straight on. Cats DO need wet food in their diet every day. Cats fed a dry diet only are dehydrated and most likely have a perpetual stomachache. Since cats hide signs of minor discomfort (and extreme pain even) one won't notice a cat doesn't feel good on a dry diet, what they will notice is the improvement when the cat is put on a canned diet.

Your sister is concerned about the scheduling of feeding wet food? It's actually not that hard to feed a scheduled wet food diet, but at the very least, if she is going to feed both dry and canned, she could do the canned meal at night, when things are quiet. Make the last meal of the night a canned meal, you know?
Canned food isn't really all that expensive, and it is WAY cheaper than the vet bills she may eventually be faced with, with a cat eating an all dry diet.

Click to expand...

AMEN to that otto!!!!     Yes, if you can't even afford a few cans of cheap wet food a week, (usually around .50 cents ea. so would cost around five to ten dollars a week depending on one, or both meals being wet per day),  then how are you going to afford a vet bill if one should occur, not to mention regular check-ups etc.......??

gooned said:

I know plenty of people that feed their cats nothing but hard food - some starting as a tiny kitten. Is wet food better? Probably. I should eat more fruits and veggies but don't and I'm still here. 

The scheduling of wet food could be done in the evening when she is home. And maybe a few cans of Friskies can mysteriously show up on her porch every once in a while

Click to expand...

lol i actually immediately gave her 2 canned foods to start her out on the day she adopted her, thinking she would go out and buy more the next day. she hasnt even given her those 2 cans, and that is  food i took away from my own cat. and she just has it lying around.

terestrife said:

lol i actually immediately gave her 2 canned foods to start her out on the day she adopted her, thinking she would go out and buy more the next day. she hasnt even given her those 2 cans, and that is  food i took away from my own cat. and she just has it lying around.

Click to expand...

WOW! That's frustrating!!  Also, at such a young age, all dry food is not going to do this kitten any health favors. Maybe she should join this site, & she will learn on her own, but frankly, if she is to worried about a "feeding schedule,"  than she probably wouldn't make the effort. I think some people think that having a cat is an easy, lazy way to have a pet. We know far to much now a days, &

I'm sorry, but if you can't even commit to two regular feedings a day, then that is just lazy.  I work full time, as many of us do, & my kitty doesn't eat at exact set times, but it is almost always with in the same hour or so. He gets fed when we get up in the morning, & so on weekends, that may be a little later, but not to much. Then after work as soon as I get home. It's the first thing I do. The only time it would be a little later, is if I am running an earn after work.

Angel ate both as a kitten. And still does eat both now as Miagi & Tiger do.

terestrife said:

My sister in law adopted a 3 month old kitten 2 weeks ago, and she has been feeding her only dry food, even though the shelter would give one wet and one dry. She told me it was because she was worried the cat would react to a different food by vomiting when she was out taking the kids to school, and working. Or something like that. Today she told me its just that she "doesnt have enough money."

Its not my business, so i just told her to be careful since cats dont drink water as much as dogs and need the wet food, and water available all day long. But i still worry for this little cat, can she get sick from eating only dry food? I know its none of my business but i still worry.

Click to expand...

If your sister's budget dictates a dry diet; then a dry diet it will be.  A cat will generally not get "sick" from eating an all kibble diet but in the long run an all kibble diet "might" be a contributing factor in a lot of issues.  If the cat does not get enough water to hydrate themselves, a UTI can develop.  Since kibble tends to be carb and calorie dense, free feeding the kibble can lead to obesity which can lead to diabetes and other problems. 

On the positive side - If you poll the vast majority of cat owners, most feed kibble in some form or fashion at some point in the cat's life.  Many feed a completely all kibble diet.  If the cat is drinking enough water, the cat will most likely do fine on an all kibble diet unless the portions are not monitored.  Every now and then you'll get a cat that just can't get enough food LOL!  Those cats will eat and eat... if it's all kibble then weight will become an issue most likely.

The kitten should probably be allowed to eat as much kibble as they want at 3 months.  As an adult I would begin measuring the kibble and monitoring the intake to keep kitty nice and svelte ;-)

Cats may seem "fine" on an all kibble diet. But, once taken off the kibble, you will be amazed at how much better than "fine" a cat can be. However we can't of course force someone to feed canned, even by actually giving them the canned food, as OP has discovered.

I've begged some people I know for years to feed at least some wet to their cats. Cats have always been fed "whatever is on sale" off the dry food shelf. One cat died over the summer, most likely of kidney failure. (they didn't take her to the vet)

One day recently I noticed the other cat was looking kind of plush. Usually he is too thin and his coat is rough looking. I wondered, but didn't say anything until a few weeks later they mentioned they were now "feeding that spoiled cat" a can of fancy feast every morning! He still gets his cheap dry food, but just that 3 ounces of canned a day has made a huge difference. And, hahaha, you should hear them brag, you'd think they invented feeding cats wet food. I don't care about that, I don't need the credit, I'm just happy for the cat.

Angels mommy said:

AMEN to that otto!!!!  

  Yes, if you can't even afford a few cans of cheap wet food a week, (usually around .50 cents ea. so would cost around five to ten dollars a week depending on one, or both meals being wet per day),  then how are you going to afford a vet bill if one should occur, not to mention regular check-ups etc.......??

Click to expand...

My cats get regular checkups, shots and have been at the vets when needed. I still cant afford wet as it would cost approxaimately$ 31-$45 a month. So they are getting Nutro Max Cat at $20 a month for a 16lb. bag. It usually last A little longer and I can afford it. If I put more than that asside for food, they wouldnt get vet care. I have a country vet as I could afford him. When Mac broke his leg due to malnutrition (I saved him from horrible conditions). The whole setting cast and 2 rechecks cast $18.50. Well worth the 20 mile round trip. He also doesnt charge for visits if you are getting shots but does an exam while there too.His shots are not expensive either. So, eveeryone that feeds dry doesnt neglect their animals vet care but some of us live on a VERY restricted budget monthly. Dont be so judgemental!!!!!

ilovemia said:

My cats get regular checkups, shots and have been at the vets when needed. I still cant afford wet as it would cost approxaimately$ 31-$45 a month. So they are getting Nutro Max Cat at $20 a month for a 16lb. bag. It usually last A little longer and I can afford it. If I put more than that asside for food, they wouldnt get vet care. I have a country vet as I could afford him. When Mac broke his leg due to malnutrition (I saved him from horrible conditions). The whole setting cast and 2 rechecks cast $18.50. Well worth the 20 mile round trip. He also doesnt charge for visits if you are getting shots but does an exam while there too.His shots are not expensive either. So, eveeryone that feeds dry doesnt neglect their animals vet care but some of us live on a VERY restricted budget monthly. Dont be so judgemental!!!!!

Click to expand...

Was not trying to be judgmental.  Just expressing a thought & making a point.  I am single, & on a very tight budget as well, but manage to buy commercial raw for my cat. (fortunately, I found a local place that sells it, as it was way to expensive on line!)  I started a few months ago prior, but after two rounds of Cystitis, I will never feed dry again. (even though it was a quality brand, was the only explanation for it.)

I had huge vet bills from it. (In August, he had to spend 2 nights at the vets, ultrasounds, X-Rays, supplements etc.. totaled to 463.00.  Then, just last month, it came back again, of course over the weekend!

 -Trip to the Animal E.R., 130.00,

A visit to his vet the next morning for ultrasound, supplements etc.. 230.00!)  Not to mention the follow-ups for an exam & ultrasound, approx. 79.00ea. ALL totaling almost $1,000.00 in 3 months!!

 -All I can say is Thank God for Care Credit!!!!  I don't know what I would've done with out it!!

I know that doesn't happen with all kitties, but if it can save someone from going through all of that, that was my concern.

You are very lucky to have found that vet!!