How to give dry cat food? There are many different types of cat food, and it can be difficult to find one that your pet likes. Luckily for you, we’ve researched, so you don’t have to.
Dry cat food is a staple in most pet owners’ diets. It’s convenient, easy to feed, and stored for long periods without becoming stale or unhealthy.
However, if your kitty isn’t eating its dry food, it might have some issues with what you’re giving them.
Read on if you want to learn how to give dry cat food and what is best suited for your furry friend.
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How To Give Dry Cat Food?
Dry cat food is great for your pet because it has more energy than wet food. However, the downside to dry cat food is that you have to be careful when practicing portion control.
If they eat too much of their dry food at once, it can cause them to become sick or create digestive issues with a sudden intake of fiber.
Tips for feeding dry cat food include:
1. Make sure that your pet is always hydrated.
2. Give them a small meal once daily, as it takes them longer to eat dry food instead of wet.
3. Checking their stool for any hard pieces of the kibble they may have ingested and vomiting if you find any.
Iams Proactive Health Healthy Senior Dry Cat Food
4. If giving treats, give a maximum of 5 per day.
5. Don’t leave the bowl out all day, as this encourages them to overeat, which can be dangerous for their digestive system.
6. If you’re only feeding your dry cat food, they might not get sufficient amounts of water in their diet. Make sure that you give them enough wet food to balance it out and keep them hydrated.
What Is The Reason For Not Eating Dry Food Of Cats?
If your cat is not eating their dry food, then here are some reasons why it might be:
1. They’re sick or not feeling well; check with your veterinarian to see if they can give you a prescription for some appetite stimulant (often, this will work).
2. The bag of food might have gotten damp, which can cause the kibble to become stale.
3. The bag might have been opened for too long, and the cat isn’t used to the smell anymore.
4. It could be that your cat isn’t hungry when you have their food out.
5. If they are over 10 years old, they might have some dental issues preventing them from chewing their food.
6. If your cat is pregnant or nursing kittens, they will eat more frequently than normal to nourish themselves and their litter.
7. They could be on a restricted-calorie diet because you have put them on a weight loss plan.
8. They may have some food sensitivities or allergies.
Whatever the reason is, it can be frustrating if your cat isn’t eating their dry kibble. Above all else, try not to get frustrated with them, as this will only make matters worse and could cause a negative interaction between you and your pet.
Blue Buffalo Healthy Living Natural Adult Dry Cat Food, Chicken & Brown Rice
If they are having trouble with their dry food, you can try switching brands. If this doesn’t work, you can try mixing some of their wet food in it to get them craving their kibble again after they taste the different flavors and smell the difference. Some products help transition dry food into wet or vice versa.
If these tricks don’t work, or your cat has other issues, you can always take them to the vet for a checkup. They will be able to diagnose any stomach problems and give you some advice on how to get your pet eating again.
Also Read: Top 5 Easy Steps How to Make Your Own Dry Cat Food
How Much Dry Food Should A Cat Eat A Day?
This isn’t easy to answer because it depends on their age, size, metabolism, and activity level.
The best way to find out how much your pet should be eating daily is by talking to their veterinarian. This can give you an idea of how much they should be eating based on the other factors listed previously.
Remember that obesity is a relevant health risk for cats.
As cats become older, they tend to eat less because their metabolism slows down. You must check with your veterinarian on how much your kitty should be eating per day as they age.
How Much Dry Kibble To Feed Cat?
First, it is important to know that weight loss in cats should be taken seriously as it could lead to the development of diabetes, which can create a whole host of health problems.
The first step when trying to lose weight in a cat is to switch up their food and feed them a diet-formulated calorie control kibble.
As far as the weight loss itself, cats should only be losing up to about 1% of their total body weight per week.
It would be best to restrict your pet’s caloric intake drastically as this can lead to hepatic lipidosis, which we will talk about later.
For a cat that weighs 8 pounds, it should only be losing about 80 calories a day. To lose weight at this rate, you should divide their total daily caloric requirement (found on the bag of food and online) by three.
If your cat is already used to getting 8 small meals per day, it would be appropriate to feed them 3 meals daily instead of 4.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free, Natural Adult Indoor Dry Cat Food
If your pet did not get 3 meals per day, it would be best to start with one 8 ounce meal every 12 hours. Once they are used to this, you can increase the frequency of feedings (meals) by an hour.
Doing this will help ease your pet into the transition and reduce any negative feelings towards their diet plan.
While this might seem like a difficult process or too much to handle, you should consider that your pet’s health is the priority. Making sure they are losing weight safely and healthily can have great benefits for years to come.
Is It OK To Feed Cats Dry Food Only?
It is not good to feed cats dry food only as it can cause more harm than good.
While some animals may eat dry food without too many issues, most cats have more sensitive stomachs and would do better with either a moist or wet diet of some kind.
Besides this, dry food does not provide the same level of hydration as wet food does.
Canned foods are usually 70% liquid, while dry foods have a moisture content of 10%.
So, in the long run, feeding your cat a dry diet can lead to dehydration and other stomach-related issues.
If you want to feed your pet less processed food with minimal ingredients, you can eat a raw food diet.
Keeping your pet on a dry food diet isn’t as bad as some people make it out to be, but there are certainly better options now available.
How Much Dry Food Should A 13 Lb Cat Eat?
Weight loss in a cat should be taken seriously as it can lead to many health problems.
If you have a 13 lb cat and want to help them lose weight, you must talk with your veterinarian.
The first step would be to switch up their food and feed them a diet-formulated calorie control kibble.
For a cat that weighs 13 pounds, it should only be losing about 130 calories a day. To lose weight at this rate, you should divide their total daily caloric requirement by three.
If your cat is already used to getting 3 meals per day, it would be appropriate to feed them 1 of these meals daily instead of 3.
If your pet did not get 1 meal per day, it would be best to start with 8 ounces meal every 12 hours.
Once they are used to this, then you can increase the frequency of feedings by an hour. Doing this will help ease your cat into the transition and reduce any negative feelings towards their diet plan.
The Bottom Line
The best way to give dry cat food is by mixing it with wet or canned foods. This allows your kitty to get the benefits of both types of food while also preventing any digestive issues that may occur when they are fed solely on one type of food.
If you have any questions about this, please speak with a veterinarian before attempting anything else.
Hi there! My name is Jackson; I am a cat lover. I specialize in writing about pet care & food. I have a wealth of knowledge on cat food niches and related subjects. I have worked in the pet industry for over 5 years and am passionate about helping cat owners provide the best care for their furry friends. With knowledge of cat food and nutrition, I aim to share their insights and help cat owners navigate the world of cat food niches. I enjoy playing with my two cats, reading, and exploring new cat food brands in my free time.
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