Why make the changes?

Cats originally were desert animals that rarely drank water. Their kidneys were designed to be extremely efficient in order to conserve water. Historically they ate a fresh food diet of prey containing 70 percent body fluids. Kibble is a mere 5 percent moisture. A cat on dehydrated food (kibble) lives in a mildly dehydrated state. This leads to health problems such as bladder crystals and constipation.

Most cats will easily switch from dry food to canned food but there are always a few who present a challenge.

*~*~*~*~*~*~ Step 1 ~*~*~*~*~*~*

Crush the kibbles into smaller bits. You can put the kibble in a plastic bag and use a rolling pin or meat tenderizer or other hard object to crush them.

Store crushed kibble in a container or plastic bag. Do not put it back into the bag.

*~*~*~*~*~*~ Step 2 ~*~*~*~*~*~*

Prepare a mixture that consists of

¼ cup canned cat food

¼ cup crushed kibble.

To this mixture add some water (about ¼ cup) and mix well.

It should be like a thick applesauce.

*~*~*~*~*~*~ Meal #1 ~*~*~*~*~*~*

Offer this at mealtime. What ever isn't eaten within 30 minutes should be covered and put in the fridge. If your cat doesn't eat any of this mixture still put it away till the next mealtime. Ensure no treats are given between meals.

If your cat drank all the water from the mixture add a bit more water and mix it together before putting into the fridge. The water will keep it from drying out.

*~*~*~*~*~*~ Meal #2 ~*~*~*~*~*~*

At the next mealtime offer the same mixture (equal parts crushed kibble and canned food with water added). What ever isn't eaten within 30 minutes should be covered and put in the fridge. If your cat doesn't eat any of this mixture still put it away till the next mealtime. Ensure no treats are given between meals.

Please check with your vet but most healthy cats can go up to 24 hours without food .

*~*~*~*~*~*~ Meal # 3 ~*~*~*~*~*~*

At the next mealtime prepare the same type of mixture and if it still isn't eaten within 30 minutes then some changes may need to be made.

Try one of the following:

Add baby food to enhance the flavor. Meat flavors are popular. Try a tablespoon of baby food well mixed into the catfood mixture.

Use canned kitten food for the canned food portion of the mixture. Adult cats are often tempted by the taste.

Add chicken broth or beef broth instead of water.

Mix a bit of catnip into the food.

Mix a bit of Oregano into the food

Add a bit of people food such as tuna, chicken, etc.

Try different flavors of canned food. Some cats have a definite preference.

If none of these methods work then add more crushed kibble to the mixture. Such as:

1/2 cup crushed kibble

1/4 cup canned food

1/3 cup water

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All 'Switching from dried food to canned' page content kindly supplied by "Jo.ann.b" a truly generous Elderly Cat Mum.

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