Your vet may recommend that your pet is fed a different food or a particular diet for a medical condition or for their general health.
Recommended foods may include:
- Weight loss foods
- Renal foods for kidney disease
- Foods to help with gastrointestinal disease or recovery
- Food to improve appetite
- Age related alterations to diet
The same recommendation for method of changing food applies to different commercial pet foods that you might buy from the pet shop.
When swapping to a new food, make the change gradually over 7-10 days by adding a small amount of the new food to the old diet and then gradually increasing the amount of new food compared to the old food. If your pet is reluctant to try the new food, extend the period of the changeover. Similarly, if you notice any loose stools, slow down the changeover and consider adding in some probiotics. If any diarrhoea occurs, contact your vet.
Cats can be a lot fussier when it comes to changes of diet. Some cats will become very attached to a particular type of food and it can be challenging if this needs to be changed for medical reasons. Slightly warming the food can sometimes increase palatability for cats. If changed very gradually, most cats will tolerate a change of food. However, if you are struggling with the change to a prescribed food, tell your vet as there may be other brands or options available.
