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Why move your nearly grown kitten to a premium adult cat food? Because quality counts. It's crucial to continue the superb nutrition she's been getting from a premium kitten food into adulthood. Downgrading to a basic nutrition brand at this stage of her life may upset her digestive system and certainly won't provide her with the same type of nutrition she was raised on.
Think of a baby. When it's time to start giving him solid food, you wouldn't feed your child anything less than the best nutrition you can buy. The same is true for your maturing kitten. She needs the best age-appropriate food there is to help maintain overall health. Premium foods such as IAMS are formulated to meet all her needs and provide additional benefits.
They're specifically designed to provide your cat with a formula that features:
High-quality ingredients
Balanced, optimal levels of protein, fat, moderately fermentable fiber, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, which make costly supplements unnecessary
High-quality recipes and great taste
Standards that meet or exceed Association of American Feed Control Officials standards
Nutrient-dense formulas that are right for each life stage
Product guarantees
What do all of these features add up to? A happy, healthy cat. With premium cat food, you can expect to see these important indicators of good health. They contribute to providing your cat with a long, healthy life:
Exceptional muscle tone
A shiny, luxurious coat
Healthy skin and bones
Clear, bright eyes and clean teeth
Small, firm stools
Founded upon decades of research, premium formulas from IAMS help maintain your cat's health and help provide him with the nutrition he needs for a long life. Generic brands simply may not match the level of expertise that goes into every bag of IAMS cat food.
When your cat is about 12 months of age, it's time to change her diet to a premium maintenance formula. When you transition your cat to an adult diet, it's important to monitor her weight and body condition and adjust portions if necessary.
Because cats generally eat only what they need, free-choice feeding is adequate for most cats. (Free-choice makes food available to your cat around the clock and lets her eat when and how much she needs.) Indoor cats that don't get much exercise, however, may overeat if fed free-choice. For them, portion-controlled feeding twice a day is a better routine.
To determine how much food to give your cat, check the recommendations of the pet food manufacturer on the label. Use the guidelines and weigh your cat on a weekly basis. If your cat is gaining or losing weight and shouldn't be, slightly adjust her daily intake and weigh her again the following week.
To avoid intestinal upsets, make the change from a kitten formula to an adult diet over a period of four days with the following method:
Day One: Fill your cat's dish with 75% kitten food and 25% adult food.
Day Two: Mix adult and kitten food in a 50/50 ratio.
Day Three: Feed your cat a mixture that's 75% adult food and 25% kitten food.
Day Four: Switch to 100% adult formula.
Bringing a new kitten home can be exciting, especially if it is your first time. The day you have been looking forward to has finally arrived and you are ready to take on your responsibilities as a cat parent! However exciting it may be to embark on this journey, a caregiver should not forget to prepare their home for a kitten’s first day and night.
Start establishing a routine during your kitten’s first week at home. For instance, start taking it to the vet, and introduce it to friends, family, and other pets. You should also be fully prepared for its first outings once it is fully vaccinated. Lastly, kitten-proofing your home is highly recommended. Bringing a kitten home is no different than bringing a baby home. As a caregiver, you should put away all hazardous items in the house and create a safe space for your kitten.
For caregivers who are bringing a new kitten home, this article is the ideal read! Here’s what you need to know about introducing a new kitten to your home.
There are multiple things you need to do before getting a kitty into your house. For example, you must find a credible veterinarian in your vicinity. Especially because you have to take your newborn cat to the vet as soon as you adopt it. So, let’s explore other crucial steps to take before bringing a kitten home:
Kittens are tiny and delicate; hence, anything that can hurt or harm them should be put away. Make sure you have set up a sleeping space for your kitten, a food bowl, and a water bowl. Apart from that, place one or more litter boxes around your house depending on the size of your home. Make sure you cover any sharp edges of your furniture and don’t expose your kitten to any dangerous figures. Moreover, keep harmful plants and any toxic substances out of its reach.
For the first few nights, it is normal for kittens to be anxious. It will take some time for a new kitten to get used to its new home. It is also normal for your kitten to cry for the first few nights. You can make this experience better for it by setting up a cozy sleeping space. Once it gets comfortable in the new home, the kitty can even sleep for up to 20 hours a day.
It is not recommended to suddenly change your kitten’s food. Thus, find out what was it being fed by its previous caretaker. Stick to that meal plan for a few days and then gradually start changing your kitten’s diet. The best person to give you any advice on the right diet for kitties is a vet. Visit a veterinarian to receive a comprehensive feeding chart for your feline friend’s diet. For kittens between two to 12 months of age, IAMS Proactive Health Mother And Kitten dry food is ideal. It is loaded with protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals to support healthy brain and eye development. This kitten food also contains colostrum and DHA – two essential nutrients that provide immunity and protection against diseases.
Now, let’s take a deep dive into understanding the things that must be done once you have brought the kitty home:
The first step at this stage is to introduce your new feline friend to its new family. Kittens can feel nervous around strangers; hence, familiarizing them with their new family is imperative. Ensure that the atmosphere is calm and not too loud as they tend to get anxious. Your kitten should be handled gently if being picked up by anyone. Give your kitten the space it requires and let it explore the house by itself.
If you have any other pets or more cats, introducing your new kitten to the rest of them is important. After all, they have to coexist and should get along as soon as possible. The best way to make them accustomed to each other is through scent. Keep switching sleep blankets so your pets can get used to being around each other. You can also place one pet’s towel under the other’s food dish. By doing this, all your pets will slowly get used to the new kitten.
Maintaining your kitten’s health is a priority. One of the most important things to do as soon as you bring a new kitten home is to set up a vaccination plan with the vet. Hence, make sure you visit a veterinarian at the earliest. Stay consistent with all vaccination doses for your kitten’s overall well-being. Later on, start taking your pet for regular medical check-ups. The doctor will examine your kitten’s weight, teeth, ears, etc. to gauge its nutritional needs.
Once your kitten starts feeling a little comfortable in your house, it will start exploring the space. If you see your kitten roaming around, it is great news. This means that it has started trusting the people and environment. However, make sure your kitty doesn’t get hurt while exploring its new home. You also don’t want to keep interrupting your pet to protect it from sharp edges. Hence, do not skip on kitten proofing your house. When your kitten gets up to move around, resist the urge to cuddle; let it explore and find the most comfortable spot for itself.
We all know that a new kitten requires some time and space to adjust to its new surroundings. However, once your new feline friend is all settled in, you can start playing basic games with it. For instance, play with a string. Cats love to play hide and seek or peek-a-boo. Start rewarding it with treats when it plays with you. It will soon start trusting you. And when your kitty rubs its body against you, licks your hand, or shows any form of affection, you will know that you have earned its trust.
