FAQ: Food for cats

Keep opened wet food covered in the fridge and use it within 1–2 days. Cover it with a special lid or cling film so it does not dry out or pick up other smells.

Yes: divide it into portions and freeze them. Thaw in the fridge, bring to room temperature and do not refreeze; some cats dislike the texture of thawed food.

The fats in kibble oxidise when exposed to air, heat and light. Rancid food smells unpleasant and the cat may refuse it, so keep the bag tightly closed and away from radiators.

A cool, dry, dark place such as a cupboard works well, rather than a hot spot by the cooker or a balcony where the temperature swings. Keep it out of the cat's reach, since many cats can tear a bag open.

Better not: summer heat and winter damp or cold speed up fat oxidation, and mould can develop in damp conditions. The food also attracts rodents and insects.

Watch out for a rancid or unusual smell, mould, clumped or damp kibble, and bulging or damaged cans. Do not give such food to your cat, even if it is still within its expiry date.

The batch number lets the manufacturer trace when and where the food was made. It is useful if a batch is recalled or you want to report a problem, so keep the packaging until the food is used up.

Go slower: mix a very small amount of the new food into the old one and increase its share over two or three weeks. Warmed wet food also helps, but never starve the cat to make it eat the new food.

Not if the cat is doing well, keeps a healthy weight and the food suits its age. Needs change with age, after neutering or with illness, so it is worth reviewing the food at the annual vet visit.

A sudden change often causes diarrhoea or vomiting, especially in cats with sensitive digestion. If it cannot be avoided, for example because the old food is discontinued, give smaller portions more often and watch how the cat feels.

A short stomach upset after a food change is common, especially when the switch is too quick. Go back to the previous ratio and switch more slowly; if the diarrhoea lasts more than a day or two, there is blood or the cat is lethargic, see a vet.

Start with a small portion of wet food next to the usual dry food and gradually increase its share while reducing the dry. You can sprinkle a few pieces of kibble on the wet food so the cat links it with a familiar smell.

At first you can soften the kibble slightly with water or mix it with wet food so the change in texture is smaller. Once the cat eats more dry food, make sure it drinks enough water.

If the food is from the same manufacturer and range and only the flavour differs, most cats switch without problems. For cats with sensitive digestion it is still safer to mix the foods for a few days.

Adult cats are most often fed twice a day, but many like 3–4 smaller meals too. What matters is not the number of meals but the total daily amount.

Cats like a regular schedule, and it helps you control how much they eat. Mealtimes also make it easier to notice if the cat has started eating less or more reluctantly.

Most automatic feeders handle standard-size kibble, but very large or irregularly shaped kibble can jam. Wet food needs feeders with an ice pack or sealed compartments so the food does not sit out too long.

Many cats do well with meals in the morning and evening. If your cat is used to eating more often, leave part of the daily amount as dry food or use an automatic feeder that dispenses portions at set times.

Often the cat has simply learned that meowing brings food or attention. But an increased appetite combined with weight loss can be a sign of illness such as a thyroid disorder or diabetes, so in that case see a vet.

Some cats can, but many, especially neutered indoor cats, eat out of boredom and put on weight. If your cat is gaining weight, switch to measured portions.