Food transition vs. Age?

Choice between 2 boy cats: 1 & 4 yrs. old. Both were affectionate, the 4 year old is a super handsome fluffy boy so I ended up putting an application in for him today. 

Should I factor in age at all when it comes to choosing a cat to transition dry to wet?  Or, don't worry about the food as a primary concern? It's a shelter cat and I'll presume both have been fed dry.  Either cat would be a fine companion. 

I'll likely hear back from the shelter tomorrow. 

Ask the shelter what they feed.  Some will send a bit home with you so there's not a sudden upset but you can't count on that.  I'm not the expert, but will say that cats seem to be very much individuals about this food thing. My other kitty loved yogurt; this one won't touch it.

Good luck with your new boy!

I asked the shelter - the answer I got was a mixed kibble - they get donations from folks in town, so pretty well whatever kibble is dropped off.  Either way, I'll ask for some of whatever they have to ease the transition. 

You guys will laugh, but I bought a boat load of canned wet foods, different brands and just about all the common and novel proteins I could find at different stores.   Whatever kitty doesn't like over the next month, I'll return.  

My plan is to go - chicken - turkey - beef - pork throughout a month. Just to change things up.

Then I'll keep the pricier proteins on emergency standby: venison - pheasant - duck - buffalo, for potential allergies.

(I just realized they're all Pate's - he better like 'em! - if not I'll sneak some Parmesan cheese inside.)

And a bag of Orijen.

This is probably the last group that would laugh at you .  I didn't fuss this much about feeding my kids.

The shelter probably doesn't get a lot of the premium kibbles - that would be my guess. Here it seems that Purina gives a lot of them food.

Sounds like you'll need a lint roller too.  But those fuzzy ones are cute.

Congrats for adopting a rescue cat! He sounds like a very nice fellow.

 It may be much more dependent on individual likes and dislikes than a question of age, if the transition will go easily or needs some time. 

If he comes from dry food only and would reject the great food you are planning to feed,  it may be helpful to start with strong flavored wet foods. Just to get him used to the consistency first and then gradually switch to premium foods.   Some shelter cats know nothing else than grocery store brands. Be patient and consequent.   Friskies and Grreat Choice (Petsmart brand) have grain free types of wet food (I forgot which flavor it is) Just in case, they reject what you bought, this may help at the beginning. 

If he is very stubborn, you could gradually mix more and more wet food to the dry food to which he was used to, until it's wet only. Or, crush a bit dry food and sprinkle it  of the wet food.

Good luck!

Thanks for tips - I'm like a little kid in a candy store - very excited to go on a shopping spree before the cat is even here.  

I have some Friskies / Grreat Choice / Fancy Feast  grain-frees in addition to some pricier brands from other pet stores.   I'll start with them, on an 80/20 (old/new) diet to get the ball rolling.

I'll steer clear of fish ones, due to possible addiction factor.

Well, I got my 4 yr. old long hair domestic boy today.  After 30 minutes of hiding behind a couch  and behind the shower curtain, 4 hours later he's wandering around casually, sitting on the window perch, or playing with some toys.  Seems to like feathery toy so far.

I was given a bag of their kibble, yet I couldn't help trying out a little Fancy Feast - turkey & giblets.

Surprisingly enough, he likes cold as opposed to microwave warmed up.  Or, maybe just not used to it.   He ate a little wee bit - not much.   Yet he did meow a few times when I opened the can and let him smell it. That's a good sign already, since his diet history is an unknown.

I better take the wet away now, else he be having major poops tonight.   I'll do the 75 (old) / 25 (new) suggestion, increasing the new by 25% every couple days.   Let the fun begin!

I laid out 4 treats - freeze dried chicken / f.d turkey / dehydrated bison /  Greenies - chicken.  

He only ate the Greenie treat.

This will be fun to find out his preferences, wish me luck!

Oh wow, he is a handsome boy! Very nice choice.  I do wish you luck and am very confident that he will be easy and pure joy.

Congratulations!  He is lovely.  I hope everything goes very well for you.  When my dog found a kitten, she hid under a wardrobe for about a month and would run back under if she saw me looking at her.  She eventually got so comfortable that she ran the place.  I expect your guy will too.