Raw and kibble question.....

[bowser]

Hi guys, I know about the different rates that our bald friends digest Raw vs kibble but I was wondering if I were to give Raw early morning then lunchtime with the last in the evening would a small bowl of kibble left out for the night be such a problem ?? As the breeder is adamant that Gizmo won't eat anything else but the dreaded kibble crack (she feeds all hers on the royal canin kitten dry food !! )Apologies if this has come up previously : )

 

[zoinks]

Sometimes it's hard to wean them off of kibble but usually it can be done with some tricks and perseverance, our breeder said the same / fed the same and both our boys are on raw now.

Once you get them to eat the raw the battle is won, there is really no reason to keep giving out the kibble - in fact it can make it harder for you at first as they might snub the raw as they know they have kibble coming.

You get some kibbles designed to be fed with raw (such as nature's instinct raw boost kibble) but personally have never tried these.

With regular kibble I am not sure of the time.. I think I recall people saying 6-8 hour gap. It might work, but be wary that it might not give you the full benefits of a raw diet when you mix them, and keep an eye out for tummy upset.

 

[MollysMom]

We just started giving them kibble in the morning instead of raw.

So they get kibble at 7 am
Raw at 4 pm
Raw at 10 pm

Have had no issues with tummies. I chose to give it in the morning because we are busy and there is no time to be messing around if it wasn't thawed out, etc. Plus I know there is always at least 8 hours between bed time and the morning feedings.

Speaking of which... I am supposed to be making more raw now... ugh!

 

[OnyxSphynx]

Onyx is 9 months, healthy, loving, high-energy. I started him on kibble and canned and stopped the canned food two months ago. I've been feeding him kibble only twice a day. He never whines for food though I can tell it's 9 AM or 5 PM because he comes to tell me it's time for his meal. He seems very satisfied. Reading about feeding and meals here is the first time I've heard of raw cat food. Onyx is so healthy now, why would I need to change it up?

 

[zoinks]

@OnyxSphynx check out this fact sheet for the benefits of a raw diet: http://feline-nutrition.org/attachments/What_Should_You_Be_Feeding_Your_Cat_A4.pdf

Most people switch for the benefits when it comes to poop. Litterbox doesn't stink, no dreaded "poop tail" and it is closest to what cats are supposed to eat naturally.

 

[andreanar]

You don't have to feed raw diet. But you really should feed wet food. Cats benefit from the extra hydration that wet food provides. You can still feed kibble. My cats get wet food every morning and have kibble left out at all times. I would worry a bit about a kitten, under 1 yr old, getting dry food only twice a day.

 

[OnyxSphynx]

Never having a cat before, I appreciate your comments and guidance. I'm a novice in this department.

 

[andreanar]

Never having a cat before, I appreciate your comments and guidance. I'm a novice in this department.

Sphynx kittens, under a year, eat a lot of food! There metabolism is higher than a furred cat, as they have to burn energy to stay warm. I'd leave the dry food out all the time.