Kitten transition diet and gas

[tabs]

At my vet's suggestion, we're transitioning our 7-month-old neutered kitten from kitten food to food for neutered young males. I've been mixing both foods, but he snarfs up the adult food and then picks at the kitten food when the other is gone. He loves the new food but something's giving him frequent gas -- it doesn't bother him, but it bothers us! His stools seem OK. Is there anything we can do?

[Traci]

I typically don't start kittens onto adult food untl they are a year old, although most kittens can be transistioned at 8 months.

Is your vet concerned about weight gain in your kitten, or?

Simple food transition guide:

Day 1: mix 75% old food with 25% new food
Day 3: mix 50% old food, 50% new food
Day 5: mix 75% new food, 25 % old food
Day 7: 100% new food

Is he gulping his food when he eats? Are you free-feeding him or schedule-feeding him?

[tabs]

Hi Traci. I think the vet is concerned about weight gain, since he's just been neutered. I was a bit concerned that it was too soon to start him on adult food. It's dry food, so he's not gulping, but he does target the new food to eat first. I'm feeding him about 40-45g twice a day (morning and night). It's been two weeks, and he's still about 50% new and 50% old food.

[Traci]

Start adding more of the new food.

Btw, it shouldn't be inferred that neutering causes weight gain. A proper exercise/playtime regimen on a daily basis is just as important as the diet to maintain optimal weight. Playtime for about 10-15 minutes twice a day should suffice, with activities that include reaching, stretching, jumping, trotting, etc. Not vigorous though. (also, kittens or cats with heart murmurs or exercise intolerance should have their exercise/playtime limited on advice of the vet)

[Marty]

Curious as to what food you are feeding. It could be an ingredient in the food that is causing gas. It happens with dogs, so it might be the same with cats.

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Thanks Traci. I'll try that. I assumed it's the adult food, but maybe it's the kitten food giving him gas??

Marty, I'm using the brand of food the vet carries, but if he's sensitive to an ingredient, I don't think I'll ever figure out what it is.

[Traci]

It could be that it is too soon for him to graduate onto adult food., or that he is sensitive to the adult food. You mentioned "food for neutered young males", so I am assuming this is Royal Canin's? Personally, I don't buy into Royal Canin's gimmick on their "young male/neutered" formulas, and why they came out with three of them is beyond me.