hi,
i am caring for my sisters elderly cat (the kitty is 15 1/2 years old, and quite healthy looking!)
the thing is, she LOVES canned food! my sister said it was ok to give her a tiny bit (one teaspoon) per day along with her dry food.
ok, i am a pushover i admit it
please don't beat me up over this, but...
i ended up giving in to her more often than i should and NOW kitty is turning up her nose at the dry food
and even worse, her breath is starting to smell bad
oh dear!
i need to wean her off the canned food
but should i do it gradually???
OR
should i have her go cold turkey (good time for that after thanksgiving, eh?LOL)
either way she is going to be upset, but i don't know, given her age, what is the most sensible way to go about this
the only other option is that i STICK STRICTLY TO THE ONE TEASPOON RULE
however i don't see that working because i PANIC when i notice she is refusing to eat the dry and is holding out for the canned
i guess i should have a can on hand in case she really digs in her heels...
in fact, there's another question:
HOW LONG CAN A CAT GO WITHOUT FOOD BEFORE THEIR HEALTH IS IN DANGER?
i know cats can't go too long without food, but i have heard vets say (not mine, though) that if you put food out even the finickiest cat will eventually eat it
is that true?
not that i want her to go thru that
she DOES l ike the dry just fine, its only that she prefers cannned
ANY IDEAS/EXPERIENCES/THOUGHTS MOST WELCOME!
i am caring for my sisters elderly cat (the kitty is 15 1/2 years old, and quite healthy looking!)
the thing is, she LOVES canned food! my sister said it was ok to give her a tiny bit (one teaspoon) per day along with her dry food.
ok, i am a pushover i admit it
please don't beat me up over this, but...
i ended up giving in to her more often than i should and NOW kitty is turning up her nose at the dry food
and even worse, her breath is starting to smell bad
oh dear!
i need to wean her off the canned food
but should i do it gradually???
OR
should i have her go cold turkey (good time for that after thanksgiving, eh?LOL)
either way she is going to be upset, but i don't know, given her age, what is the most sensible way to go about this
the only other option is that i STICK STRICTLY TO THE ONE TEASPOON RULE
however i don't see that working because i PANIC when i notice she is refusing to eat the dry and is holding out for the canned
i guess i should have a can on hand in case she really digs in her heels...
in fact, there's another question:
HOW LONG CAN A CAT GO WITHOUT FOOD BEFORE THEIR HEALTH IS IN DANGER?
i know cats can't go too long without food, but i have heard vets say (not mine, though) that if you put food out even the finickiest cat will eventually eat it
is that true?
not that i want her to go thru that
she DOES l ike the dry just fine, its only that she prefers cannned
ANY IDEAS/EXPERIENCES/THOUGHTS MOST WELCOME!