In your trial box, you’ll receive our Switching Guide. This includes our top tips for helping cats switch to their new freshly cooked food. Most cats need a few days to adjust to the new tastes and smells of KatKin, as it’s usually quite different to the food they’re used to.
The top tips for switching a cat to KatKin:
Think about when you’ll start introducing KatKin.
The majority of cats are suspicious of anything new, so it’s important to choose a good time to start feeding KatKin. Ideally, when you’ll be home and able to give your cat support if they need it. If you’re going on holiday soon, or there’s extreme weather, the food can be stored in the freezer, so there’s plenty of time to introduce it.
Stick to just KatKin for the first 24 hours
Most cats switch to KatKin on the first day, but it might take them a few trips to their bowl to try their first bite. If your cat hasn’t tried a bite after an hour, put their bowl back in the fridge and bring it back out. KatKin can’t be left out all day like supermarket cat food, so putting it back in the fridge is the best way to maintain freshness.
Start with Cluck
Cluck is our most popular recipe, for good reason. If your cat prefers other meat, choose a recipe close to their old food.
Add Sprinkles
In your trial box, a free jar of our chicken Sprinkles will be included. This is a tasty meal topper made of 100% chicken breast. It helps to encourage cats to take that first bite. Don’t be afraid to continue to use Sprinkles during the trial.
Warm up the food
Some cats don’t like their food cold straight from the fridge. Heat up the food in the bowl by microwaving it for 15 seconds or adding a few spoons of warm water. This gets the meat juices flowing and will make the meat smell even better.
If your cat hasn't eaten KatKin after 24 hours
After 24 hours, if your cat isn’t eating their KatKin yet, don’t worry. Some cats take longer than others, and there’s plenty of time for them to adjust.
Introduce a few spoons of KatKin next to their regular food (not mixed in).
Try an 80/20 ratio, so your cat isn’t overwhelmed by the new food on their plate. Plus, an open tray of KatKin can be kept in the fridge for 2 days, and this helps reduce waste by introducing a bit at a time. Just pop a tray in a Tupperware container and spoon out the rest when you’re ready.
Sniffing is a good sign
Even if your cat hasn’t taken a bite of KatKin, eating food next to KatKin will help them start to associate the smell as food. You might notice them start to sniff KatKin or even give it small licks.
Try playing with texture
KatKin is very versatile, so play around with the food to change the texture. You can mush it up completely into a pâté, or break up the larger pieces of meat with a spoon or fork. Adding water to the food will make a gravy for them.
Try a new recipe
Your cat might prefer Gobble or Quack. Try switching to a new recipe if Cluck isn’t tempting them.
For extra fussy cat’s, read our fussy cat guide here.
You can gradually increase the amount of KatKin added to their bowl each day, until they’re happily eating KatKin on its own. Warming the food up and adding a generous amount of Sprinkles on top, can help your cat to get tucking in.
Some cats need a few weeks to adjust to their new food, so get in touch with us if you’d like more time in your trial or follow these instructions to delay your delivery.
Keep doing that, even if they still aren’t eating KatKin after a week or more. Particularly for neophobic cats, consistent exposure is what they need to help them learn to trust, so keep at it.
Switching to any new food can sometimes disrupt the balance of good bacteria in your cat's gut (called the microbiome). Other possible causes of an upset stomach could come from your cat eating too quickly (read: enthusiastically). To keep their transition on track and reduce the risk to your carpet, you can read more about transitioning for sensitive tummies here.
Remember, whether it’s one day or ten days, it’s worth the wait. When your cat switches to our 100% fresh-cooked food, they’ll have a lifetime of better health, with more energy, a softer coat, and better digestion.
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