Frequently Asked Cat Questions

Cats and dogs have different nutritional requirements and really should not eat each other's food. For example, cats require a much higher level of taurine in their diet. An occasional venture into each other's bowls will not be harmful, but is not recommended on a regular basis.

Cats are creatures of habit and can resist diet change. It's important to completely stop feeding your cat from the table. This is best accomplished by removing the cat from the kitchen during mealtimes. Be persistent when offering dry food. Your cat may refuse to eat for several meals before deciding to give the food a try. Heating food in the microwave increases the aroma of the food and will often entice a cat to eat. Another alternative is to try mixing some wet food with the dry food, or topping it with a sauce or gravy specifically formulated for pets. Be assured that your cat eats to meet an energy need and will eventually begin to eat unless there is an underlying medical issue.

Life stage, lifestyle, and overall condition are the three factors to take into account when deciding which pet food is right for your cat. Life stage refers to whether your pet is a kitten, adult, or senior. Lifestyle refers to how active or inactive your cat normally is. Condition refers to the cat's overall health and body weight.

A practical guideline is that kittens should be fed three times a day from weaning (3 to 6 weeks) to 4 months of age. After 4 months, they should be fed twice a day. Most cats should continue to be fed twice a day throughout their life, although some pets do well with one feeding.

The amount to feed depends on the age, size, and activity level of the cat. Feeding guidelines, which list the daily recommended portion, are included on all IAMS™ packages. Start feeding with this amount and adjust according to your pet's needs. Remember to divide the portion accordingly if you feed more than once a day.

It's important when changing a cat's diet to introduce the new food slowly. Start by offering the cat's daily portion in a ratio of 25% new food to 75% old food. During the next three days, gradually increase the amount of new food and decrease the amount of old.

Wet food is an excellent treat that can be fed by itself or mixed with dry food. Although our wet cat foods are nutritionally complete and balanced, it is not necessary to offer wet food at every feeding. Our dry foods are formulated with high-quality protein sources such as chicken, lamb, or fish and contain all of the essential nutrients pets need. The crunchy texture of dry food also promotes healthy teeth and gums, and provides overall good oral hygiene.

No—boredom with food is a human trait. Cats are creatures of habit and usually are happy with just one food. Cats generally eat to meet their energy or nutritional needs. They have very short digestive systems, and, if their diet is abruptly or constantly changed, digestive disturbances can occur. Also, constant changes can make your pet a finicky eater.

Adding water will not change the nutritional value of dry cat food. However, once moisture is added the food should be eaten relatively soon, and any uneaten portion should be discarded to avoid spoilage. Dry feeding our cat foods is usually encouraged because of the benefit to the cat's dental health.

Cats and dogs have different nutritional requirements and really should not eat each other's food. For example, cats require a much higher level of taurine in their diet. An occasional venture into each other's bowls will not be harmful but is not recommended on a regular basis.

Our foods are nutritionally complete and balanced. Adding vitamins, minerals, or oils can offset the balance the food provides. One of the benefits of feeding a high-quality product is that it has been carefully balanced in proper ratios to provide optimal nutrition so nothing needs to be added.

Litterbox training can sound like a daunting task, but thankfully your kitten’s natural instinct comes into play when starting this process. First, make sure the litterbox is easily accessible for your kitten and the box is clean. Bring your kitten to the box and start to scratch the litter to get your kitten’s attention. When they use the box successfully, make sure to give them praise and reward. Learn more about How to Litter-box Train Your Cat.

Cats are great, and we know how exciting it is to add another one to your family. However, your current cat may not share the same excitement when accepting a new family member. It is crucial to take your time and ensure the introduction is handled with care so that both cats feel comfortable and have minimal stress. For additional information, check out our Tips to Introduce a New Cat to help ease their first meeting.

It can be stressful for you and your kitten when you are not there. However, by providing enrichment opportunities like games and entertainment, you can leave the home with peace of mind. There is an assortment of cat puzzles toys that hide food or treats that help keep cats stimulated. Or another simple solution is opening the window blinds to a high activity area (ex. birds, pedestrians, etc.) so they can watch and observe the outdoor world. Learn How to Create an Enriching Environment for Your Kitten.

The IAMS™ brand wants you to have all the facts so that you are informed and empowered to make nutrition decisions. For kittens and cats, look for Taurine and Docosahexaenoic acid (aka “DHA”) in their food. These are essential nutrients needed for healthy development such as, normal heart muscle function and vision. That why IAMS™ kitten food is formulated with high quality protein that contains sources of taurine and DHA. Check out the IAMS™ Food Selector to find the right nutrition for your kitten.

First, congratulations on your new furry addition! Secondly, there’s no one-size-fits-all for choosing the right food since all cats differ in breed, size, lifestyle, age, health conditions and so on. One easy way to learn more about you kitten’s nutrition needs is to DNA test with a WISDOM PANEL™ test kit. Once you learn more about their breed breakout, the IAMS™ Food Selector can help you determine the appropriate nutrition choices. 

Way to think ahead, you are already being a proactive pet parent! Kittens are adventurous and it’s important to cat-proof your home so they are safe from items that can be harmful. Look around your house and secure household cleaners, chemicals, toxic plants and foods, and medications. For a consolidated list of these items along with more tips, we have Everything You Need to Know when adopting a new cat or kitten.

Yes, cats are very trainable! When bringing a new cat into your home, there are a lot of learnings you will experience with your cat. In fact, did you know there are 5 distinct cat personalities? Each responds differently to training. We have compiled a list of the 5 different cat personalities (Skittish, Outgoing, Dominant, Spontaneous, and Friendly) and how to train each one. Check out Our Favorite Tips to Train a Kitten.

A cat can provide warmth, humor and enjoyment to you and your home. However, the IAMS™ brand suggests doing your research on what kind of cat is best for you based on your home and lifestyle. When it’s time to go and formally meet your future cat, take the time to consider the “whole cat”. Try not to focus on one element, like color. Instead, assess their personality, level of friendliness, if they are more vocal versus quiet, and their overall energy level. Here is our guide for Kitten and Cat Adoption Basics.