Changing foods- How do I do this? And to what?!

[dandw2]

Anyone have experience with a kitty being addicted to a food that you can no longer feed them?


Iams changed their canned formula. Lola has had various diet issues, and Iams canned chicken was all that she would eat and do well on. Over the years i tried to put her on something different, but she would either refuse it or get crystals. Iams kept her ph perfect, and she gobbles it. They have sinced "improved" their formula, they took out a few ingredients and added beef, which she won't eat. Also the texture is different. She is not happy. And neither am I.
So I bought out all of my local stores of the chicken iams and have about 1 month's supply. She gets mad when I try to introduce a new food, she refuses it and refuses me.
We have tried to introduce Felidae, By Nature, Instinct, Natural Balance, Precise, Pet Guard, and Wellness. All to no avail.

I was thinking if I put something new down and she ate some of it, I could try to slowly mix that flavor with her Iams. Is the the wrong way of doing things?

What is a good food (meaning healthy for her body and something desirable) that I can look into? How is the best way to switch her over? It seems if she even smells something new in her food she refuses it. Have I just stressed her out too much?

Thanks for any advice. I could cry.

[Traci]

Have you tried Science Diet? I think several are chicken flavored.

Per Lola's health, what is your vet saying?

[dandw2]

Hi Traci,

Science diet has corn, and she is allergic. Unfortunately. I should also add, she doesn't like chunky foods!

Healthwise, her urine last week looked good, no crystals, and sm. amount of bacteria, which she said was probably contamination on my part, but we will recheck this week. Regarding the food, she said find one she will eat and then give her the details so she can check it out.

[Traci]

Does it have to be strictly chicken flavor? Why not try something with chicken and fish, or chicken and liver, etc. Iams has chicken and fish, in pate formula, although I don't know what the texture is, you'd have to get a can to see. Many other brands have combination flavors too.

You can mix an old brand with a new brand when feeding, about half and half for the first couple days, then gradually reduce the old and add more of the new.

[JUDY S]

If she doesn't like chunks, you could try putting it in a blender and giving her that, provided she likes the flavour, of course. Good luck.

[dandw2]

Thanks for your help. I cannot believe she is so finicky. I see my other kitty loving the "samples" I put down and she doesn't want anything to do with it!