Need Suggestions For Getting Dry Food Kitty To Eat Wet

[Geff]

I'm trying to transition my cat to Evanger's wet due to issues I've described at length elsewhere.  He's eaten dry all of his life. Of the wet foods I've tried, other then Gerber the Evanger's seems to be his 2nd favorite flavor wise, but after eating a few bites he stops, though still obviously hungry. He also will only eat wet food for about the first 5 minutes it's set out (the house is not warm) & after that it's permanently unacceptable. There are at least 2 issues: (general displeasure with the situation may be a 3rd!).

1. He's a lazy eater. Even with dry food, he often won't eat until I move the food to the middle of the bowl.

2. (Probably related to #1) He has a really BIG nose, which seems to get in the way when he tries to eat.

Here's what I've tried:
I started with paper plates. The issues above became obvious when the plate slid around & he had nothing to brace it with. I've switched to a small paper bowl (I refuse to wash 4+ bowls a day & I think wet cat food is disgusting!) which has eliminated the dish moving, but from watching him & being his pet parent for over 10 years, my take is that he feels eating wet food is just too much work. He appears to get really frustrated trying to find a way to get bites of the food in his mouth.

Regarding the food I've tried scooping it into the bowl as is, breaking it up with a fork & watering it down into gravy as 1 pet store suggested (the gravy was by far kitty's least favorite).

He's not pleased with the situation, but he's also not acting out (I'm typing this with one finger because he's curled up on my chest like cradling a baby at the moment!). I'm still allowing some of his old dry food, but I have safety concerns with it (see the Cal Nat threads for more info)

Suggestions anyone?    

[himimom1254]

Geff,

You might try crushing some of the CN and sprinkling that over the top of the wet.  It might entice him more. 

I have a Persian cat who has a very short nose and I have to use a shallow ceramic bowl.  I cut up the food (Wellness) into pea size pieces so that he can pick it up.  I also sometimes will hand feed it because that's the easiest way for him to pick it up.  It's not an ideal situation, but it works for us. 

I'm still feeding dry CN and Wellness canned.

[Geff]

himimom, what has your experience been with the CN "grit"? The grit is why I'm trying to get him off of the CN.

                            Geff

[jenny]

Well, my cat Cougar has IBD and pancreatitis and I have not been able to get him to eat all canned food.  But, I have been able to get him to eat 3/4+ of a 3 oz can each day.  I typically give him canned food first to get him started and then put his kibble down when he stops eating.  This cat eats twice for every meal (he eats again about 20-30 minutes after the initial feeding).  At that time I frequently throw the dry and canned together in a bowl together. The only bad thing about that is that when he is done if I want to save the canned, I have to dig the remaining dry out.  But he really likes to eat them together.

Now, when he is really being a pain - I have been known to make 'meatballs'.  Basically rolling dry food up in canned food to make a ball.  I try not to do it often as it teaches him really bad habits, but he almost always eats it.

Good luck!
Jenny

[Mary K]

Hi, Geff, It's hard not to spoil your baby! I have all 3 of mine off dry food for good, now.
One gave me a difficult time in much the same way yours is, nibbling then stopping. I finally figured out she was so hungry she couldn't help herself, but after curbing her appetite with the wet, continued to protest and wait it out hoping to get dry. But then I would leave it down and catch her eating the wet later when I wasn't watching. Mine have never gotten sick from leaving the wet down half a day until the next feeding, if there is any left! Mixing wet and dry is helpful. Transitioning by wetting the dry (with water or tuna juice) also helps. It can take months and so be patient! I did the change from canned to home-cooked that way, too.
I liked your suggestion of paper bowls. I, too, am sick of washing dishes (for me thats 6 plates per day!) and the paper-plate experiment was funny to watch-scoot, scoot- scoot! They also leaked onto the floor. I will definitely try the paper bowl suggestion. Suction cups?
Lastly, I sure wish there was a way to make dry food; I would do it. My guys really  miss it. I miss the convenience when I need to be away for a while, too! Good luck!

[Geff]

I think one option is to try a larger paper bowl. I probably also need to try your suggestion of not breaking down & giving dry food. 

I'm also considering going to a combination of Gerber (which hee loves) & Taurine & cat vitamins. It would cost a fortune, but... At least it's not Summertime where the wet foods can only be out a few minutes.

[himimom1254]

Geff,

I have not seen the amount of grit you mention.  There is a little, but not enough to turn me off. 

[Geff]

Geff,

I have not seen the amount of grit you mention.  There is a little, but not enough to turn me off. 

Do you happen to know what the exp date is of your current bag? If you know of a batch with little grit, I'd like to try to find a bag. (or 10!). Just to clarify, I've been using CN dry Chicken & Rice.

[himimom1254]

Geff,


I'm feeding CN Dry Chicken and Brown Rice, exp date is 082308.  I hope that helps.

[Geff]

I had a really gritty bag with that date. Interesting. Natura is claiming that grit is from "end of the batch". Weird that my state would get end of the batch everytime!