Food stamp benefit amount?

Questions about kitten food?

• I got a kitten last week and while shopping for supplies I made sure to look for food especially formulated for kittens. I understand that at 8 weeks this is a critical period for growth and development for my little guy. After doing some research I decided on a diet primarily consisting of dry food with a little bit of wet food mixed in once a day, maybe twice. I bought several cans of food, but I could not find any wet food specifically for kittens. When I looked at the pet store I found one brand and one flavor for kittens. They're small cans and the brand is Eukanuba. My questions are: How long should he stay on the canned kitten food? Should I gradually reduce the amount of canned food as he gets older? If so, when should I do this? Is it ok to switch brands when it's time to start him on the new food? Should I mix the two brands of wet food when I'm switching him over, to avoid tummy troubles? Is the kitten food really that much different than the adult canned food? Does it benefit kitty at all to have a variety of flavors in his diet? I've never had a kitten before and so far everything is going perfectly, he's very well adjusted. Also, unrelated to cat food, I read that it is good to keep a kitten in one room when you first bring him home. He had already shown some interest in exploring the rest of the house so when I'm home I leave the door open and he runs around but mostly stays close to me and meows. How long should I wait before giving him the run of the house while I'm gone?

• Answer:

  I'd consider more 50/50 wet and dry unless your cat is good about drinking. Some cats don't drink much as they don't have strong thirst signals. I have two cats and I rarely see one of them drinking. However his diet is mostly wet meat. My vet says to keep them on kitten food for up to 10 months - if they will. My second cat would have nothing to do with it and ate the adult's food from the time I brought her home around 12 weeks. It never hurt her - she's a healthy adult today. As to the run of the house - it's fine, IF your house is cat-secure. You need to check for any plants that are poisonous to cats (there are tons of lists online), dangling or loose wires, dangerous household cleaners or other chemicals, and sharp objects. Anything dangling is like a magnet to a young cat. Consider closing off the kitchen and bathroom.