Behavior

[Ellie]

This would be the change in diet. Kittens have very sensitive stomachs and going from fancy feast to a premium food (or changing to any kind of food can cause loose stools. Sometimes the premium foods that are very high in protein can just be too rich for kittens. Unfortunately, it's a learning process of what we want our fur babies to eat vs what they can/will eat.

Please do lots and lots of research before switching to a raw diet. It is a big commitment and not everyone is able to do it. I know, I personally am not able to commit to making my own raw at this time so I buy Darwin's commercial raw food... but it's not cheap. I spend anywhere from $130 to $180 a month on Shango's food, but am fortunate enough to afford it and it's the only thing I can get Shango to eat. He's never ate any kind of dry kibble and isn't a fan of most wet foods either as his main food source.

Do you order it online?

 

[SavannahLuv]

Do you order it online?

The Darwin's raw, yes I purchase online. They have an auto ship program so I automatically get a delivery every 4 weeks, but you can choose to have it more often or less often. I think I did 16 weeks when I 1st signed up since I wasn't sure how Shango would like it, but ended up having to change it. You can also cancel at any time.

They have a great trial offer that's a very good price if you want to try the food. They have chicken, duck & turkey. https://www.darwinspet.com/introductory-offer-for-new-customers/

 

[WitchyWoman]

vet is thinking possible IBS

Then I think it's even more important to get him off kibble. I have an IBS cat and it took a good year to get him stabilized. He is on a combo diet of raw meat and Stella & Chewy's freeze dried.

If you decide to add something new to his diet, you have to do it slowly. Add a 1/4 tsp to his regular food for a couple weeks and then increase it to 1/2 tsp for a few more weeks and continue slowly increasing the amount of the new food even if it takes a couple of months. You can keep him on canned and start to add in raw meat if want to try a partial raw diet. Some cats are allergic to chicken so try turkey thighs & legs, beef, pork buffalo. Cut it into small pieces and add a few pieces to his canned meals. If he likes raw meat, you can eventually substitute 1 entire canned meal with raw each day and still keep the diet balanced.

 

[Ellie]

Then I think it's even more important to get him off kibble. I have an IBS cat and it took a good year to get him stabilized. He is on a combo diet of raw meat and Stella & Chewy's freeze dried.

If you decide to add something new to his diet, you have to do it slowly. Add a 1/4 tsp to his regular food for a couple weeks and then increase it to 1/2 tsp for a few more weeks and continue slowly increasing the amount of the new food even if it takes a couple of months. You can keep him on canned and start to add in raw meat if want to try a partial raw diet. Some cats are allergic to chicken so try turkey thighs & legs, beef, pork buffalo. Cut it into small pieces and add a few pieces to his canned meals. If he likes raw meat, you can eventually substitute 1 entire canned meal with raw each day and still keep the diet balanced.

AND with partial raw or raw....do I have to do anything special for a "kitten" diet....or is it all the same? I only want what's best for my baby boy.

 

[Ellie]

Then I think it's even more important to get him off kibble. I have an IBS cat and it took a good year to get him stabilized. He is on a combo diet of raw meat and Stella & Chewy's freeze dried.

If you decide to add something new to his diet, you have to do it slowly. Add a 1/4 tsp to his regular food for a couple weeks and then increase it to 1/2 tsp for a few more weeks and continue slowly increasing the amount of the new food even if it takes a couple of months. You can keep him on canned and start to add in raw meat if want to try a partial raw diet. Some cats are allergic to chicken so try turkey thighs & legs, beef, pork buffalo. Cut it into small pieces and add a few pieces to his canned meals. If he likes raw meat, you can eventually substitute 1 entire canned meal with raw each day and still keep the diet balanced.

Are the amounts to feed specified?

 

[SavannahLuv]

Raw will be the same for kittens and adults so you will supplement the same if you decide to make your own. The commercial raw, like Darwin's, is already supplemented. Darwin's offers raw for both dogs and cats. The cat formula is for both kittens and adults.

There is no specified amount to feed since it varies by age and activity level. For the 1st year, kittens should be allowed to eat as much as they want unless there is a weight issue. Witchy posted great advice as to how to slowly transition the new food.

If Neo cleans his plate and still acts hungry, increase how much food you give him or increase how often you feed. If he leaves food left over on his plate, you can decrease the amount. Your kitten is the best way to learn how much food to give them. They have a way of letting us know if they aren't getting enough food. I read somewhere (can't find where) as a general guideline you can feed 1 ounce of food per pound of cat. So if Neo is 9 lbs, that would be 9 oz of food. Growing kittens that have a high activity level can eat much more than that so it's definitely not a set rule. Most likely, Neo will eat more than that.

 

[Ellie]

There is a huge amount of excellent info about cat nutrition here http://www.catinfo.org/
Lisa is, imo, one of the most knowledgeable about feline nutrition and has worked with a member here to formulate a diet specifically to address liver malfunction in the cat.

Have read the website of LP, DVM. Such a wealth of information. Thank you for this help & info.

 

[Ellie]

Raw will be the same for kittens and adults so you will supplement the same if you decide to make your own. The commercial raw, like Darwin's, is already supplemented. Darwin's offers raw for both dogs and cats. The cat formula is for both kittens and adults.

There is no specified amount to feed since it varies by age and activity level. For the 1st year, kittens should be allowed to eat as much as they want unless there is a weight issue. Witchy posted great advice as to how to slowly transition the new food.

If Neo cleans his plate and still acts hungry, increase how much food you give him or increase how often you feed. If he leaves food left over on his plate, you can decrease the amount. Your kitten is the best way to learn how much food to give them. They have a way of letting us know if they aren't getting enough food. I read somewhere (can't find where) as a general guideline you can feed 1 ounce of food per pound of cat. So if Neo is 9 lbs, that would be 9 oz of food. Growing kittens that have a high activity level can eat much more than that so it's definitely not a set rule. Most likely, Neo will eat more than that.

Nonsense doubt....he loves to eat. No more kibble! I so appreciate your help and advice. Adding another meal for Neo tonight.

 

[Jambi_wild]

1. How do you know when you receive answers?
2. 11:38 AM - Ellie:
   Hello! I am new to this site. I have an F4 male, Neo, who is 5 mo old. I have some questions .....1 - He has begun hunting at night for about an hour before settling down. He gets up on counters and shelves and starts breaking things. I would have to empty my entire house to keep things safe! And that is not an option. 2 - Also, when anyone eats around him, he is insistant that he should share.
   
3. - Neo does not purr, is this normal? I never had a kitty that didn't purr. Any advice?

What a pretty kitty.
You need an extended play time before bedtime so he gets tired and wants to sleep... I have that round ball in a circle cat toy and how simple it is cats love it and I don't have to supervise so after play, if she still wants more there you go, not feeling frisky? there are super fun apps you can download on your phone that my Jambi likes.
If he's stealing food, you just need to feed him more and more often.
Cats on the counter is my biggest pet peeve ... try vinegar water in a spray bottle, but also accept you will probably never have nice things anymore lol
Jambi is 14weeks ... I thought he didn't purr either... it then he started and he starts sucking on my neck, which is annoying, but those purrs are super cute. He purrs more often with special snuggley pets. You'll find the purr spot.

 

[Jambi_wild]

It'll take a while to get use to the set up of the forum. but once you get it let's see some pictures of that handsome Neo.