Getting Started - Prevent a finicky feline eater

A common mistake people make with new kittens is feeding only one type of free-choice dry cat food. Why worry if your kitten grows up to be a picky eater?

Cats that only eat certain textures and tastes of food may suffer if put on special diets. Cats can become fixed on certain food shapes and textures - not accepting anything else as food.

It may also be harder to give tasty medicines or hide medicines in the food of a cat that is food-fixated. 

Change bags of kitten food types every couple of months or in other ways feed a selection of foods for the first year. You can also entice your kitten to eat new foods by hand feeding the new food when your kitten is very hungry.  Mix any new food in with favorite foods to encourage acceptance. Feed your kitten a selection of premium dry and wet kitten foods of various flavors, sizes, textures, and shapes.

Observe your kitten carefully to eventually select the brand correlated with your kitten's ideal energy level, coat condition, and no eye discharge. Consult with your veterinarian on how to select quality pet foods and early nutritional needs.

Late Socialization: 9 to 16 weeks old[1]:   Eating solid food; begin losing baby teeth

[1] AAFP. (2004). Feline Behavior Guidelines.