New Kitties and need food help please!

Hi everyone! I am the proud mom of two  6-month-old brothers, Jake & Elwood. (I previously had littermates who lived to 16 & 18 -- still miss them every day!) Anyway, my guys are currently eating Purina Pro Plan Kitten canned and I am trying to switch them to canned grain-free, but they are not into it. I've tried Wellness, BG and most recently by Nature Organics, which was the only food my 18 y/o IBD guy would eat -- but they won't eat it. I've tried giving it alone and mixing it in with their current food but they smell it and turn away. An I've tried the "eat this or find yourself a mouse" approach but Elwood especially will just not eat. I'm so disappointed. By Nature  has endless wonderful reviews...what is up with my picky boys? This is the third premium food I've tried to switch to, and no luck. Suggestions anyone? Thank you!

Congrats on the new kitties. I hear you about picky eaters since I have one myself. What's worked for me are toppers: various freeze dried meats crumbled on top, dried shrimp, anchovies or bonito flakes if your cats like seafood. I've also heard that Fortiflora and Vet's Best hairball relief also work well.

Just make sure they eat something, even if it isn't a premium brand.  I see you tried the mixing of the two kinds and they still won't eat it.  The toppers sounds like a good idea, or maybe just a little tuna water.

Don't know when you are mixing the old and the new, but you could start by just mixing a very small amount of the new into the old, just enough so that can barely taste it.  Then gradually work your way up with the new stuff. 

Also, it may be texture related.  Is the new food the same texture as the old...pate vs sliced, vs chunks, etc?  Some cats are very picky about that sort of thing?  I would try both mixing a small amount of the new into the old AND possibly using toppers.

Just as an aside, none of my cats like any of the brands you are trying to feed yours .  The only way I got them off kibble was with grain free Soulistic, then when they tired of that, we moved on to Weruva, but they only liked a very few flavors of that.  However, not sure either of those are good for still growing kittens...too low in fat and calories, IMHO.

Thanks everyone! They are eating their Purina Pro Plan kitten food (canned), so please don't think I am starving them! I did try mixing in a little of the new with the old and gradually increasing it, but they refused it when it got to about 50/50. Same texture (pate) and flavors, so who knows. Of course I ordered several cases of it because it was a great sale and I figured they'd love it! I'll hang onto it for a few months, maybe their tastes will evolve. If not, the shelter will appreciate it.

Mrs. Greenjeans, it makes me feel better to hear that your cats didn't like the primo stuff either. I looked at Soulistic and Tiki but same issue--not enough calories and fat for them right now.

For now I've got them back on the Purina Pro Plan and will wait a while to introduce something else. This stuff is just pricey...and they go through 6-8 cans a day! And a little BG kibble overnight. Growing boys!

If you have any other ideas or thoughts, I welcome them. Thanks.
 

This might be helpful http://voices.yahoo.com/helpful-tips-switch-cats-food-successfully-6238680.html I'm so glad you have them on a wet diet! Since they are not kibble addicts you might have an easier time transitioning them to a different wet if you can find one they will eat :nod:

Nobody thought you were starving them. You wouldn't be on here if you didn't care.

I'm sorry, I was joking...guess that doesn't always come across in print! Although you wouldn't believe (or maybe you would) how many people say, "When they're hungry enough, they'll eat!" No, they won't...they're not dogs...

Thanks for your help!
 

I just didn't want you to get the wrong idea.