Final Up to date on: March 1, 2023 by Crystal Uys
Uncooked meals is usually a very pure technique to feed your cat. Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply that each one cats take to it simply. Switching your cat instantly to a uncooked meals weight-reduction plan could cause abdomen upset—in case your cat even eats it in any respect. When you could also be excited on your cat to modify to a uncooked meals weight-reduction plan, it’s very important that you just slowly switch your cat to uncooked meals.
Fortunately, this isn’t too difficult. The principle concept is to go slowly and backtrack in case your cat experiences any unfavourable indicators of discomfort. The period of time this transition takes is dependent upon the cat. Some will take to it nicely and be capable of eat 100% uncooked meals in solely a few weeks, whereas others could require a month-long transition.
Comply with the steps under to assist your cat transition to uncooked meals.
The 4 Steps to Transition Your Cat to a Uncooked Meals Weight loss program:
1. Adjusting from Dry to Canned
Transitioning from canned to uncooked meals is far simpler than from dry to canned. Due to this fact, in case your cat is at present on dry meals, we suggest switching them to canned meals, first. Most canned meals packages have transition directions. Often, this includes beginning with 25% canned and 75% dry, after which slowly rising the quantity of canned meals as your cat tolerates it.
Once more, this transition can take fairly some time. Older cats which have at all times eaten dry meals could discover this transition tougher. Due to this fact, try to be very affected person with older cats.
That doesn’t essentially imply that youthful cats will transition quick, although. Some cats merely have a tougher time with meals transitions. Including a probiotic could assist your felines throughout this era, however you must communicate along with your vet earlier than including any dietary supplements to your pet’s weight-reduction plan.
As soon as your cat is fortunately on canned cat meals, you’ll be able to start the transition to uncooked meals.
2. Get on a Feeding Schedule
In case your feline was beforehand free-fed, you’ll want to start out a feeding schedule earlier than you transition to uncooked meals. Cats usually aren’t used to consuming all at one time when free-fed. Nonetheless, you can not depart uncooked meals out, or it shortly goes dangerous.
To stop your cat from getting too overwhelmed by switching a bunch of feeding elements directly, we suggest beginning a feeding schedule first.
Begin by feeding your cat no less than 4 occasions a day. Portion out the cat’s meals into 4 equal parts in keeping with how a lot they should eat. Your cat could complain quite a bit on the primary day. Nonetheless, after a couple of days, the feline ought to begin to anticipate meals at sure occasions. Then, you’ll be able to start decreasing the variety of meals till you discover one thing that works for you.
We suggest feeding grownup cats no less than twice a day. Kittens may have three meals to stop blood sugar points because of their smaller measurement.
3. Add Uncooked Meals
Transitioning your cat to uncooked meals could take anyplace from 10 days to three months.
Begin by mixing 25% uncooked meals with 75% of your cat’s regular weight-reduction plan. Make sure to calculate the quantity primarily based on the variety of energy. In case your cat wants a cup of dry meals however solely half a cup of uncooked meals, then try to be feeding ¾ cup of dry meals and 1/8 cup of uncooked meals.
Do that for 3 days. Reactions on the primary day are frequent, however they shouldn’t be extreme. (Diarrhea as soon as is okay, but when your cat is having accidents everywhere in the home, you must scale back the quantity of uncooked meals.) Ideally, your cat shouldn’t have any extra indicators of discomfort after 3 days, and minimal reactions throughout this era. In case your cat is clearly in numerous discomfort, scale back the uncooked meals by half no less than.
In case your cat will get by means of this era nice, then begin mixing their meals 50/50. As soon as once more, some reactions proper after the primary mealtime is regular however scale back the quantity of meals in case your cats’ indicators of discomfort are extreme. You’ll have to return to the earlier ratio for a time earlier than making an attempt once more. Most cats with out problem would require one other 3 days of this ratio.
For cats that don’t have a lot discomfort from the elevated uncooked meals, swap to 75%/25%. At this level, your cat will probably be consuming extra uncooked meals than canned meals. Generally, cats grow to be extra finicky at this stage, so it isn’t odd for it to take longer. As soon as once more, feed this quantity for no less than 3 days, keeping track of your cat for indicators of discomfort.
Lastly, on the tenth day, many cats will probably be consuming 100% uncooked meals.
This course of could seem quite simple, but it surely hardly works out this fashion in observe. In lots of instances, your feline could require sticking to at least one stage longer—the times we gave had been minimums, in any case. Due to this fact, it hardly ever really takes 10 days.
4. When Problems Come up
There are lots of events when issues could not go as deliberate. Usually, choosy cats, kittens, and seniors have a tougher time adjusting to a brand new meals. Due to this fact, you’ll have to regulate your plan to accommodate these difficulties.
Some cats additionally simply appear to have a tougher time with uncooked meals than others. This doesn’t essentially imply they’ll by no means modify to uncooked meals, however it may possibly point out that it’s good to go slower.
Listed here are some suggestions which will enable you to when issues don’t go as deliberate:
- Gently prepare dinner the uncooked meals. In case your cat doesn’t take nicely to the uncooked meals, think about cooking it gently, no less than for now. Very younger kittens or immune-compromised cats could significantly want this additional security step to stop parasites and food-borne sicknesses. Past security, although, cooking the meals could make it gentler in your cat’s abdomen and extra like what they’re used to consuming.
- Serve your cat’s meals someplace “secure”. Ideally, this ought to be an space that’s out of the best way, and even on a small desk. Stress because of meals visitors could make cats reject meals extra usually.
- Hand-feeding. In case your cat gained’t strive the uncooked meals, you’ll be able to strive hand-feeding—simply make certain to clean your palms earlier than and after. Many cats usually tend to devour meals once they assume it’s a deal with.
- Eradicate treats. Choosy cats could refill on treats between meals, after which not really feel hungry sufficient to present uncooked meals an opportunity. Eradicate treats to stop this downside. You may add them again in after your cat adjusts to the brand new weight-reduction plan.
- Use a flat meals dish. Uncooked meals could require extra effort to eat, and a raised bowl could complicate this. Due to this fact, think about getting a flat dish on your cat’s meals, particularly if they’re younger or have mobility points.
What’s Regular?
Adjusting to uncooked meals is usually a bit nerve-racking. Some indicators of discomfort are regular components of the transition. Nonetheless, others will be troublesome. The most typical adjustments are diarrhea and elevated fuel. These indicators are merely associated to your cat’s dietary adjustments and may clear up inside an affordable period of time. Correct transitions can forestall digestive discomfort, but it surely doesn’t at all times result in them being fully eradicated.
Extreme shedding, dry pores and skin, and power well being points could briefly worsen. Often, the cat experiences some quantity of stress throughout the transition, so the physique will react accordingly. All the pieces ought to resolve inside a couple of days. If issues persist for per week or extra, we suggest taking your cat to the vet.
Conclusion
Uncooked meals is usually a wholesome meal possibility on your cat. Nonetheless, most cats aren’t used to consuming uncooked meals, so they might expertise some issues when first making an attempt this new weight-reduction plan. Slowly transitioning your feline is the best choice. You don’t wish to abruptly swap their meals, as this will trigger worse digestive upset and comparable indicators of discomfort.
Many cats will transition inside 10 days if you happen to comply with the steps above. Minor abdomen upset could happen, like unfastened stools. Nonetheless, these indicators ought to disappear inside a few days.
Featured Picture Credit score: ophiecat, Shutterstock
Cat mother to Ivy – a feisty little rescue kitten that’s her one and solely little one. For now! All through her life, she has been launched to the particular love that may be discovered within the bond with a cat. Having owned a number of felines, she is greater than sure that their love is unmatched, unconditional and in contrast to every other. With a ardour to coach the general public about the whole lot, there’s to find out about felines, their conduct, and their distinctive personalities, Crystal is devoted to creating certain that each one cats and their house owners know the significance of acutely aware residing – and loving!