First Post - Older Cat not eating (I think)

I have 2 kittens (Cade & Bella; both 12-14 weeks). They seem to be thriving and will eat any food I put in front of them. I finally settled on MaxCat Gourmet Classics kitten (Nutro) dry, supplemented with 1/4 small can of MaxCat Gourmet Classice wet/dry mix at night. They chow down!!!

I had heard from many people that Nutro products are the best (or one of) so I was anxious to switch to the MaxCat once the free bag of Science Diet ran out. All is well and kittens are doing well.

My problem is with my older (9 years; fairly inactive; slightly hanging belly) cat, Marshmellow. Marshy hates wet food. When I mix wet/dry, she'll eat the dry and leave the wet! I've tried various flavors with no luck. Additionally, I switched her gradually from Purina One Weight Management dry food to MaxCat Gourmet Classics Lite formula dry food. I don't see her eat!!!

I've read that with a higher quality food with less fillers, the cat may not eat as much b/c they remain fuller for longer periods. I've put out a mix of Purina One and MaxCat and after 2 days, there's still over half left.

Two Questions:
1. Should I be concerned about Marshmellow not eating wet food?
2. Am I supposed to keep trying different foods until she likes one (or when she's hungry, will she start eating what I bought) or is it possible that she is already eating less b/c of the new food (and I shouldn't worry)?


Thanks.

Mtalio

Your older "kid" is a senior... Did your vet say the baby needs light food???... I know that max is chn flavored but I think the one may be turkey... Did you try to switch brands in two days?? If so go much slower... I would recommend the max senior or natural choice senior or senior indoor... Please talk to the vet ... How long has the baby been on the one>>?? Has the baby eaten wet food in the past?? My youngest is not a wet food fan it took many trys to find one shell eat more than a 1/4 to 1/2 a teaspoonful of

Thanks for the reply. Let me be more clear. Cade and Bella (the kittens) are doing great. They eat both wet and dry versions of the MaxCat Gourmet Classic Kitten formula. It looks like they eat anything/everything!

Marshmellow (the older cat) has been eating the Purina One Weight Management formula. No wet food. When we got the kittens, we were told of the importance of wet food. I've tried mixing in any wet food (Whiskas, MaxCat) with the dry food she likes and she won't eat it. We've had Marshmellow for 3 years and she's never eaten wet food. I'm not incredibly worried but I do want to do what's best for her. (i.e., Am I harming her by not giving her wet food?)

I bought the MaxCat Gourmet Classic Lite formula (dry) for Marshmellow (not the kittens) b/c she's a overweight and fairly inactive. I have not tried to force the new food on her within 2 days. I have, however, placed a mix of the Purina and MaxCat Lite for her to begin the transition. It does appear that I may be mixing the foods too evenly and should go heavier on her old food and gradually mix in less of the Purina and more of the MaxCat Lite.

If she doesn't eat it, I guess I'll have to try something else. I can almost picture having many small bags that she won't eat!!!

Thanks again.

Martin

Originally Posted by mtalio

Thanks for the reply. Let me be more clear. Cade and Bella (the kittens) are doing great. They eat both wet and dry versions of the MaxCat Gourmet Classic Kitten formula. It looks like they eat anything/everything!

Marshmellow (the older cat) has been eating the Purina One Weight Management formula. No wet food. When we got the kittens, we were told of the importance of wet food. I've tried mixing in any wet food (Whiskas, MaxCat) with the dry food she likes and she won't eat it. We've had Marshmellow for 3 years and she's never eaten wet food. I'm not incredibly worried but I do want to do what's best for her. (i.e., Am I harming her by not giving her wet food?)

I bought the MaxCat Gourmet Classic Lite formula (dry) for Marshmellow (not the kittens) b/c she's a overweight and fairly inactive. I have not tried to force the new food on her within 2 days. I have, however, placed a mix of the Purina and MaxCat Lite for her to begin the transition. It does appear that I may be mixing the foods too evenly and should go heavier on her old food and gradually mix in less of the Purina and more of the MaxCat Lite.

If she doesn't eat it, I guess I'll have to try something else. I can almost picture having many small bags that she won't eat!!!

Thanks again.

Martin

Click to expand...

Okay , the more I have learned about cats and their nutrition yes they need canned.Due to cats not drinking h2o like they should about a can a week is sufficient ( I try for a can a day). have you tried the natural choice shimp and salmon chowder?? my two both eat it up... If you have a petsmart there authority canned is good and my oldest loves the catfish and the beef flavors... Others they like are Eagle pack , merrick, felidae , petgold the fancyone availble at petco , Petguard .... Try both pate and gravied ones if you havent..

When you say a can a day, are you referring to the smaller cans or the regular-sized cans? I can't get Marshmellow to eat even 1/4 of the smaller cans. As for my kittens, they each eat 1/4 of the small cans and can't get enough of it. If they would eat more of the wet, would it be okay to give it to them straight? How much do you normally feed of wet?

I'm new to this as I had always been a dog person. Just became a kitten owner last month.

Martin

My younger one it is a smaller can , the older one is on a homemade diet ... Kepp trying new ones.. evan fancy feast and meow mix have decent cans that have stronger smelling flavors I use them as enticement s to get the older one to eat some of her food.. How much does the big baby weigh..

Lol I thought I was getting a two to threee year old she was 8 months , so the kitten thing I so undertand