Kitten Food v's Adult Food

**curlytowers** · 4th February 2011, 10:48 AM

Hi guys!

We have Bob (who's 6), Bass (who's 5) and Annie (who's 9 months)

All of them eat a diet of mostly dry food, Annie (who we had first) eats Royal Canin kitten food and the boys eat either Royal Canin or James Wellbeloved adult food.

But, Bob wants to eat Annie's food and Annie wants to eat Bob's food!!! they eat in separate rooms at the mo, but always wander in to each others 'eating area' and start chomping.

How can we stop this? Or do we need to stop this? I'm worried Annie isn't getting the right nutrients as she's a baby and the kitten food might be bad for Bob as he's 6. Maybe I'm being silly and it doesn't really matter?

We just need some advice I think.

Thanks

**Peter Galbavy** · 4th February 2011, 10:58 AM

From what I have read you are probably fine as long as the cats have as much as they want and the portions are not strictly measured out. My understanding, and corrections are welcome, is that kitten food is basically the same but with a higher proportion of protein relative to the other ingrediants.

From the James Wellbeloved site:

Kitten: Typical analysis: Protein 32%, oil 20%, ash 8%, fibre 1.8%.
Adult: Typical analysis: Protein 31%, oil 18%, ash 9%, fibre 1.8%.

Can't find any more explicit references right now, short of morning coffee

**WoodsideMaineCoons** · 4th February 2011, 12:05 PM

I think it's fine - kitten food has higher fat and protein but at 9 months old, Annie is fine to have a mix of adult and kitten and it won't hurt the older 2 to have a mix as well.

The more you try and stop them eating each others food, the more desirable it seems to become!!

**Helen & John** · 4th February 2011, 12:35 PM

I am at the moment feeding mine a mix of RC growth (the vet version of kitten) and maine coon kibble along with wet as I still had some growth left, they pick out the maine coon food and scatter the growth over the floor

The growth is the same as kitten but on the bag it says that it is for kittens pre op so Annie I guess should be fine.

**curlytowers** · 4th February 2011, 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by WoodsideMaineCoons

The more you try and stop them eating each others food, the more desirable it seems to become!!

Tell me about it! This morning I was picking Bob up and moving him, then Annie, then Bob, then Annie.... it was very amusing though!

**curlytowers** · 4th February 2011, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by Helen & John

they pick out the maine coon food and scatter the growth over the floor

.

Aren't they clever!
Annie likes to flick her biscuits into her water, let them soak for a minute or two, then eat them!

**curlytowers** · 4th February 2011, 12:54 PM

Thanks for your advice guys!

**WoodsideMaineCoons** · 4th February 2011, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by Helen & John

I am at the moment feeding mine a mix of RC growth (the vet version of kitten) and maine coon kibble along with wet as I still had some growth left, they pick out the maine coon food and scatter the growth over the floor

The growth is the same as kitten but on the bag it says that it is for kittens pre op so Annie I guess should be fine.

Malia picks hers up in her paw and eats them off the underside of her paw, if that makes sense....she also cannot drink still water so has to splash it about a bit so it moves. Star on the other hand has to take giant mouthfuls of biscuit, just in case someone else comes along and takes it and she literally drags the water bowl all over the floor before she is happy to drink from it!!

xx