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Expert: - 3/26/2011


Question
I have two cats; one just turned 1 and one is about six months.  We were sent home from the Humane Society both times with Science Diet Kitten Food; I fed my older cat Winston this food exclusively.  When my younger cat was adopted. the vet at her first visit told me about the "Ratkins" approach; I have since been feeding her both Science Diet and canned food.  Why not change to canned food exclusively? Well, Winston won't touch it; a few weeks ago I began to change him over to science diet adult formula and he won't eat that either, even though it is somewhat mixed with the kitten food.  I don't think it could be healthy for Winston to remain on kitten formula forever but I am at a loss...I've never had a cat who wouldn't eat canned food, so he is the pickiest cat I've ever known!  I would appreciate some advice..he won't touch his mixed food and steals the younger cat's grub.

Answer
You can probably keep Winston on the kitten food for six more months but I switched my kitten to an adult food at 6 months because I had a senior cat at the same time.

She did just fine on it. Feeding them wet and dry is fine, but it's how you do it that usually matters. I give a few spoonfuls of wet in the morning and not at night. Dry is measured out and kept in a bowl. He will eat the dry if you just leave it. He won't starve himself.

Just keep Winston on kitten until the other one is one year or switch them both to the adult. That will stop the problem!

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

Expertise

PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

Experience

I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

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Audubon,World Wildlife Federation, American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians.

Education/Credentials
Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

Awards and Honors
Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

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