Things to think about when feeding your cat

• SPECIFIC™ cat food is complete and balanced.  That means this food will give them all the nutrients they need for a healthy and active life without needing anything else
• When you are working out how much to feed your cat start with the feeding guidelines on the pack.  When you put the food out make sure you measure it out – that makes it easier to adjust up or down later.  The guidelines are just that – guidelines – and the food needs will vary from cat to cat so what you need to do is watch your cats weight and adjust if needed.  If they are gaining weight reduce the amount slightly, if losing weight then increase the amount of food. Of course your vet will always be happy to advise you if you’re worried. How to assess your cat's weight without using scales
• The daily amount of food should be divided into at least two meals unless otherwise recommended by your vet
• Your cat should always have fresh, clean water available
• Avoid table scraps. They are usually too fatty and salty for cats and may, despite your good intentions, contribute to weight gain and other health problems
• Cats are not “small dogs”. Cats have different nutritional needs to dogs and so a cat fed only on dog food will not get the nutrients they need
• Keep an eye on your cat’s condition and general wellbeing. Talk to your vet or vet nurse if you think adjustment or change is needed in your cat’s diet
• Have your cat weighed regularly and adjust the daily feeding amount if your cat loses or gains weight
• You should contact your vet if your cat gains or loses weight unexpectedly, they vomit, have diarrhoea or have trouble passing stools. You should also seek advice if they refuse to eat for more than 48 hours

Dry or wet food - what's the difference?

Most of the SPECIFIC™ cat food is available in both dry food “kibbles” and wet food pâtés. Generally a dry food is more economical and provides more natural chewing for the cat. The wet food pâtés are tasty alternatives, packed in handy trays.  You can feed wet food either as their main food or as a delicious supplement to the dry food. Due to the high water content (70-80%) wet food will also help support a healthy urinary tract. The wet food can be stored for several days in the fridge after opening but always serve it at room temperature as cats prefer the taste of it that way.

Introduce your cat to SPECIFIC™

SPECIFIC™ food is extremely tasty and immediately accepted by most cats. However, cats are creatures of habit and may not easily accept changes, especially if they are ill and lack appetite. You could try this for making the new food introduction easier:

• Mix more and more of the new food into the present food over a period of 7-10 days
• Wet food pâté can be warmed and served at body temperature