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How To Transition Your Kitten To Adult Cat Food

Published Apr 29, 2022

As your cat progresses through different life stages, their nutritional requirements will change. Much like humans, while your kitten is young, they need food that will help their bones develop. As they mature, the focus should be on food that helps to maintain a balanced diet or prevent health issues.

So, when is the best time to transition from kitten food to adult cat food? Depending on your kitten’s breed and size, they reach growth maturity (become an adult) at different times. Most kittens will stop growing by 12 months. However larger breeds such as Maine Coons can take up to 2 years to be fully grown! If you are unsure if your kitten has fully developed, it’s best to consult with your vet about your kitten’s growth and when they’d recommend transitioning to adult cat food.

Here are some things to consider when switching your kitten to cat food:

 

Brand And Type

Generally, it’s a good idea to keep your kitten on the same brand or type of adult food, especially if they have been thriving on it. However, it’s also perfectly fine to try a variety of different types of foods and brands to see if there is one that works better for your feline! Every cat is different so what works for one cat might not work for another.

Inaba Churu Bites Chicken Recipe Wraps Tuna Dog Treat
Kong Connects Kitty Comber

Lifestyle And Activity Levels

Is your cat very active or perhaps they prefer to spend the day lazing around? Choose food and adjust the amount you feed them according to their energy levels. An active cat would benefit from more energy dense food to help build muscle whereas a lower energy cat will not. If you are not sure what the best option is for your feline, come in and speak to one of our team members who will help you choose the right adult food for your cat.

Health Requirements

Has your cat developed any allergies or have any health conditions to consider? Perhaps your vet has recommended a prescription diet? If so, you’ll need to consider the type of ingredients as well as the breakdown when choosing your food. There are now a variety of foods available to cater for these scenarios such as single protein diets, grain free, weight management, urinary care and more.

Inaba Churu Bites Chicken Recipe Wraps Tuna Dog Treat
Vetreska Fruity Cat Scratcher Post Cactus

Cat’s Preference

Cats can be quite fussy so it’s important to also consider their preference! Some cats may prefer wet food over dry food, beef over chicken or smaller pieces of kibble over bigger ones. If you are not sure, the best way is to try a few different types or observe the types of treats they prefer to determine what they’d like best.

Inaba Churu Bites Chicken Recipe Wraps Tuna Dog Treat
Kong Connects Kitty Comber

How To Transition

When changing your cat’s food, it’s best to do it gradually. Switching it overnight can cause cats to get an upset stomach. So, the best way is to introduce the new food together with their original food and gradually reduce the amount of the original food over a week. Here is an example of how to do this over the course of a week.

  • Day 1: 25% new food and 75% original food.
  • Day 3: 50% new food and 50% original food.
  • Day 5: 75% new food and 25% original food.
  • Day 7: 100% new food.

 

It’s normal for your cat to have slightly softer or runnier stools during the transition period. However, if you notice that this continues for a prolonged period or if they start to display other concerning side effects such as vomiting or lethargy, stop feeding the food and consult with your vet.

PURCHASE ACCEPTANCE

Please Note: "CUSTOMER SELF DECLARATION" By purchasing ROYAL CANIN Prescription Diet, you acknowledge and agree that the following is true and accurate to the best of your knowledge.

  1. I confirm that my pet was examined by a Veterinarian who recommended the use of ROYAL CANIN Prescription Diet on the basis of his/her diagnosis.
  2. I have read and understood that whilst my pet is being fed ROYAL CANIN Prescription Diet, it is recommended that seek veterinary advice at least every 6 months regarding the usage of ROYAL CANIN Prescription Diet.
  3. I have read and understood that I need to seek immediate veterinary advice if my pet's condition deteriorates in any way whilst I use ROYAL CANIN Prescription Diet.

PURCHASE ACCEPTANCE

Please Note: "CUSTOMER SELF DECLARATION" By purchasing Pro Plan Veterinary Diet, you acknowledge and agree that the following is true and accurate to the best of your knowledge.

  1. I confirm that my pet was examined by a Veterinarian who recommended the use of Pro Plan Veterinary Diet on the basis of his/her diagnosis.
  2. I have read and understood that whilst my pet is being fed Pro Plan Veterinary Diet, it is recommended that seek veterinary advice at least every 6 months regarding the usage of Pro Plan Veterinary Diet.
  3. I have read and understood that I need to seek immediate veterinary advice if my pet's condition deteriorates in any way whilst I use Pro Plan Veterinary Diet.

PURCHASE ACCEPTANCE

Please Note: "CUSTOMER SELF DECLARATION" By purchasing Hill’s Prescription Diet, you acknowledge and agree that the following is true and accurate to the best of your knowledge.

  1. I confirm that my pet was examined by a Veterinarian who recommended the use of Hill’s Prescription Diet on the basis of his/her diagnosis.
  2. I have read and understood that whilst my pet is being fed Hill’s Prescription Diet, it is recommended that I seek veterinary advice at least every 6 months regarding the usage of Prescription Diet.
  3. I have read and understood that I need to seek immediate veterinary advice if my pet's condition deteriorates in any way whilst I use Hill’s Prescription Diet