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 Pros and cons of dry feeding
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| Author | Topic: Pros and cons of dry feeding |
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Isis Member  Posts: 139 |
posted 05-26-2003 02:12 PM
 
My kitten has very loose bowel movements, the vet has tested him for anything untoward and came to the conclusion that it is the wet food we have been feeding him. He does not have diarrhea in the sense that he always needs to go and it does not bother him in the slightest. I have two problems concerning the dry food, one the kitten does not seem to drink water and I do not want him to suffer kidney problems and two with the dry food, he has been a stray, he eats and eats til he is sick. I cannot make too much of a restriction on how much I put down because I have two other cats. He does not do this with wet food. Any help would be appreciated. Katie IP: Logged |
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Ambrosia Member Posts: 10 |
posted 05-26-2003 07:58 PM
I have given my kitten dry food from the start and he's doing great. The few times that I have given him wet food for a treat, it has smelled awful once it gets to the litter box. I don't know that you have to worry that he is eating too much. Everything that I have read about feeding kittens says to make sure that they always have food available. If he eats until he is sick, he will probably soon figure out not to do that anymore. As long as he eats and is gaining weight properly, it should be ok. IP: Logged |
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Greypaw Member Posts: 83 |
posted 05-26-2003 10:47 PM
A suggestion, try giving him some raw meat (cheap cassarole meat) diced with a springle of dried food on top. This should bind him up a little better than the wet food, but still give water content. He may even get used to eating the dried food as a normal routine instead of wolfing it down. As for him not drinking water, try different drinking containers (some like tall high sides, some like low), or try pet milk (not as good as water but at least its fluid). He may even be secretly drinking water from the toilet, shower basin, or sinks. Some cats are very picky about not being seen. Keep an eye on his hydration level and if hes always hydrated then he must be getting it from somewhere. I had two cats that would only drink from a (human) drinking glass, and only if it was up high like on my desk. Also many cats won't drink from a bowl that is close to their food, try putting it 30cm (a foot) away at the least. Hope some of this helps. IP: Logged |
nern Moderator Posts: 1591 |
posted 05-26-2003 10:50 PM
What about adding a small amount of warm water to his dry food to make it mushy? Then just continue feeding it to him as you did the canned food. Also certain fiber sources (guar gum)in some canned foods tend to cause loose stools, trying a different brand may also solve this problem. Good luck. IP: Logged |
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Cat Member Posts: 141 |
posted 05-27-2003 01:24 PM
Hi: It's quite possible your cat drinks when you're not around. If you have two other cats and I"m assuming they all share a litter box and water dish, you really wouldn't be able to tell. Have you tried have a regular feeding schedule for the kitten and feeding her behind a closed door for a period of time so she has enough time to eat. Also you can give your cat a mixture of dry and wet food together or dry food in the morning and wet food at night (or visa versa). IP: Logged |
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Isis Member Posts: 139 |
posted 05-27-2003 04:56 PM
Thanks for the advice, he does seem to be a little better being give wet food morning and night but with a handful of the dried food onto. I also found that adding some boiled rice to his wet food seems to stop him having wind and his bowel movements are beginning to firm up. I always feed all three of them raw meat at least once a week. Though sometimes they get a little more than I had planned for (really must rememebr not to leave meat out on the side unattented!). I think having something they would naturally have in their diets does them the world of good. IP: Logged |
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Indy Member Posts: 31 |
posted 05-27-2003 08:18 PM
I have to point out a big pro on the side of dry food.. The cats need some amount of dry food to help with their teeth. They don't brush like we do and it can be very difficult to train your cat to allow this. That's where the dry food comes in, it's not an end all but it does help. IP: Logged |
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nern Moderator Posts: 1591 |
posted 05-27-2003 11:53 PM
Contrary to popular belief dry food does not prevent dental disease. http://www.ivillage.com/pets/vet/pages/0,,197290_574584,00.html IP: Logged |
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Isis Member Posts: 139 |
posted 05-28-2003 10:59 AM
a very interesting article but if you think I am getting the toothbrush out on my cats you're mad!  IP: Logged |
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