Anushi-Puma, and the frustration of transitioning.

After much consideration, I decided to add a new cat to Feline Future’s clan of cats, hoping this would be of benefit to our young Siamese boy who previously had to content himself with the boring company of a bunch of middle-aged cats – many of which are individuals of my original study group.

A five months old female, all black, Oriental Shorthair (like a solid colored Siamese) was the chosen one. She had been raised to this point on a variety of commercial products and represented a typical “dry-cat-food-grazer”. Anushi-Puma – which was going to be her name – was very thin with underdeveloped muscle mass, yet she sported a chubby pouch dangling off her belly. Clearly she received plenty of “carbs” from her diet, but definitely not enough building blocks to help her grow into a well-developed, athletic cat. The first bowel movement this tiny cat left in my litter-box astonished me, and was the size of something that could have been evacuated by a mid-sized dog.

I was excited to switch her to InstinctsTC and monitor the changes which lay ahead, but would she eat it?
Many of Feline Future’s customers must experience a similar excitement, anticipating the switch from commercial preparations to this new concept of a fresh and raw lifestyle with the potential of transforming their beloved feline friend into a healthier cat.

I don’t know the statistics, but many people are terribly let down when watching their cat completely ignore the raw food that held so much promise and was prepared with so much love. Disappointment may be so great for some, that a second try is not attempted.

Frustrated, the question comes up: if this is supposed to be so good – why won’t my cat eat it?
The cat cannot be held responsible in this instance, and cannot be given credit for knowing what is good for her. Nature never equipped her with such wisdom. Instead, it is all a matter of conditioning. A cat which has never seen raw meat, and was never taught to eat it during early kittenhood, simply will not register your carefully prepared homemade raw cat food as something edible. Anushi-Puma did not either!

Suddenly, I found myself in the shoes of a typical first-time Feline Future customer. My heart sunk when I watched Anushi briefly sniff my offering of InstinctTC and then ignore it like it wasn’t even there.
She was clearly hungry. Meowing und rubbing against me, she was pleading to be fed, but did not recognize the raw food as edible. Her eyes grew wide in disbelief when I dabbed some food on her nose, which she followed by frantic washing to get the stuff off her face. Finger-feeding was hopeless in her case as well. Affectionately she would rub against my outstretched finger covered in food – getting it all over her.

I had to try something else. A certain excitement arouse in me when I realized my challenge. After just a few hours of being in my home, Anushi was already a very valuable member of this study group, refreshing my skill in transitioning a cat to my own food!

Step1.

Instead of starting with canned cat food for the transition process, I purchased chicken breast which I thoroughly steam-cooked and processed into smooth baby food. To every cup of this home-made chicken baby food I added one raw egg yolk, once cooled. A good supply of this chicken/egg food was kept in my fridge – ready for 3 meals a day.

Only a very small percentage of cats will not like eating this chicken baby food. A pinch of salt will often increase palatability in this case. Offering the food to your cat by finger feeding is always worth a try. Leaving the cat over night in a cozy room – set up with a bed and litterbox – will often yield the pleasant surprise of an empty food bowl in the morning. Some cats will cave at your constant urging – others need privacy and confinement to tackle the problem. Try to find out what type your cat is, but don’t allow her to avoid the issue. Release only when she finally realizes that all you are asking of her is to eat the food. She will soon learn that by eating her food she can carry on with her activities.

I made no further changes to Anushi’s food until I saw her eating her new cooked chicken/raw egg yolk food readily and having overcome any suspicion about it. Food is a security-blanket for cats, and we don’t want to betray them.

Step2.

As the second step, I offered Anushi some ground* raw chicken with egg yolk, instead of cooked chicken with egg yolk.
(*You could also run some chicken breast through the food processor)

Urge your cat to try this raw variation of her food by finger feeding or by leaving her to contemplate the task on her own. If she won’t eat it, wait until the next meal and serve her the cooked chicken meal once more. The next meal, however, will be a 50/50 blend of cooked and raw chicken. She will have to eat this if you want to make progress in the process. You are asking very little of her and you must stay on her case until she will eat it. Cooked chicken with egg yolk is not a complete food, and your cat cannot eat this indefinitely.

When accepting the 50/50 cooked/raw mix, ask your cat again to eat only the raw chicken and egg yolk. Stay on her case! When she eats her raw chicken – stick with it for a while before proceeding to step 4. We are almost there!

Step4.

I prepared Anushi’s usual raw chicken and egg yolk food, and for the first time prepare a batch of InstinctsTC* food for her - using raw, ground chicken meat. For her next meal, I mixed a teaspoon amount of InstinctsTC food into her raw chicken, and she didn’t even notice!
(*I used the InstinctsTC Kitten Formula)

Over the next days, increase the amount of InstinctsTC food mixed into the raw chicken. When you have arrived at a 50/50 mix of InstinctsTC food/ raw chicken, switch your cat to 100% InstinctsTC. If she has a set-back, employ your urging or confinement method. If all fails. Return to 50/50 InstinctsTC food/raw chicken, and more slowly increase the InstinctsTC portion until you feed 100% of it.

Done!

After one week, Anushi was “inhaling” a hefty portion of 50/50 InstinctsTC/raw chicken and egg yolk food three times a day. I am confident that her remaining transition will only be a matter of days. She has adjusted well to her new home and made friends with all the other cats.

Important:
Stay with chicken meat as your choice of meat for some time when preparing your InstinctsTC cat food. You don’t want to upset your cat by introducing a new meat, which might cause her to throw up. This can be the case with red meats. Introduce new meat varieties once your cat is well settled into her new feeding routine and has learned to like her raw meat food.

Please note that all meats and eggs have to be fresh when feeding them to your cat, and any food should not be kept for more then 3 days in your refrigerator. Cats are sensitive to meats that are off. Avoid compromising your transition process by inadvertently offering your cat spoiled meat or spoiled food.

Feel free to add water to the food whenever you see fit for a nice consistency. “Raw meat beginners” like a smooth consistency that is easy to lap up.

Try and maintain a calm attitude. Frustration is natural, and some waste of food can be expected. Keep in mind that most cat lovers have to go through a transition period of some degree when trying InstinctsTC for the first time. You are not alone in this, and trying to switch your cat to a raw meat food wasn’t a foolish idea to. The transition period is only a phase you and your cat will have to go through for a short time. Making your own cat food and feeding raw meat will never be that complicated again, and you definitely have many rewards to look forward to.