First of all, congratulations on your new arrival! Whether this is the first time you’ve welcomed a kitten into your home, or you’re a kitten expert, switching a kitten to a new diet can be a daunting time for anyone.
That’s why, in your kitten’s trial box, you’ll receive a special Kitten Switching Guide. This includes our top tips for helping kittens switch to their new freshly cooked food. Most kittens switch to KatKin quickly and are a bit braver than their adult counterparts. They also haven’t experienced a particular type of food for an extended amount of time, so they’re less likely to be stubborn when it comes to trying new things.
If the kitten has joined your family, we always recommend letting them settle in at home first for a week or two, before switching their diet. This helps them acclimatise to their new space and get comfortable. Carry on feeding them the food that they were previously eating and don’t use their old food up completely before introducing KatKin.
Step 1:
Choose a good time to introduce KatKin, when you’ll be at home and able to keep an eye on your kitten while they try the food. If you’ll be going on holiday soon or there’s very hot or cold weather, keep KatKin in the freezer until you’re ready to start.
Step 2:
Feed only KatKin for the first 12 hours. We recommend giving adult cats 24 hours to try just KatKin, but it’s important that kittens don’t go more than 12 hours without eating. Most kittens will eat KatKin from the very first bowl, but if they haven’t had a bite after an hour or so, put their bowl back in the fridge and bring it back out later. 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.
Step 3:
Start with Cluck, it’s our leanest recipe and the lower fat content will make it easier for kittens to digest. Stick with one recipe at a time, to give your kitten time to adjust to their new fresh food.
Step 4:
Feed smaller portions, more frequently throughout the day. You might notice that the trays we’ve sent for your kitten contain a lot of food. That’s because growing kittens need lots of calories, but they might struggle to finish their KatKin in just 2 portions. Instead, try feeding them breakfast, lunch, an afternoon snack, and dinner.
Top Tip! Just cut open a tray and spoon out half a portion. Put the open tray in a Tupperware and pop it back in your fridge for later. An open tray of KatKin can last for up to 2 days in your fridge.
Step 5:
Take things slowly and keep an eye on their litter tray. If you notice any upset stomachs, try mixing a small amount of KatKin with their previous food. Once their stomach is settled, introduce another spoonful of KatKin a day at a time. Reduce the amount of their old food slowly, until they’re eating just KatKin.
Step 6:
Add chicken 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 kittens to take that first bite. Don’t be afraid to continue to use Sprinkles during the trial.
As kittens grow, make sure to keep their weight up to date in your account, so we can make sure they’re getting the right portion in each delivery.
👉 Click here to read more about keeping track of growing kittens.
After 12 hours, if your kitten 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.
👉 Read our switching tips for fussier cats and kittens here.
Reach out to our Cat Experts for support and advice. They'll never turn down a photo of a kitten photo either. 🐈⬛