There are a host of reasons why you may need to move your cat onto a new food. Nutritional requirements alter as cats get older. A medical condition might require a special diet. Occasionally cats get fussy and just go off their usual brand.

Because cats can often be sensitive to changes in their diet, try and make the transition as smooth as possible. A slow transition process will help your cat to moreeasily digest the carefully formulated ingredients and nutrients of the new brand, by naturally adjusting the enzymes in the digestive tract.

Start by mixing the new food with your usual brand, then gradually increase the proportion over one week to 10 days, until your cat is only eating the new food. Don't be surprised if your cat has an upset tummy to begin with. This is quite normal.

Day 1: Add 1 part of the new food to 9 parts of your cat's usual food.

Day 2: Add 2 parts new to 8 parts of the old food.

Day 3: Add 3 parts to 7 and so on until…

Day 10: You are only feeding the new food.

Changing from canned food to dry

• Provide plenty of drinking water. There is naturally far less moisture in dry food.

Changing from dry food to canned

• Consider mixing in a few biscuits for texture.
• You may notice your cat drinks less water.

Changing from kitten to adult formulas

• Transition kittens to an adult formula at approximately 12 months.
• Don't be tempted to change too soon.

Changing from adult to senior

• Cats of seven years and older should be fed a specially formulated senior food, designed to provide the optimum balance of key nutrients.