Your Questions Answered
Here you'll find short answers to your most frequently asked questions about Purina ONE, the product range and visible health benefits, provided by our expert Purina PetCare Service team. We hope you find the information provided useful. If you'd like further information, or do not find your question answered below, why not Contact Us today.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
How much water should my pet have every day?Is it okay to switch between pet food products/flavours?
Do I need to supplement my pet's diet?
Is it okay that my cat is eating my dog's food or vice versa?
How do you best transition to a new type of petfood?
CAT QUESTIONS
When is my kitten "full-grown" and able to eat an adult cat food product?At what age do kittens start to eat on their own?
Should I feed milk to my kitten?
Why do some cats put their paws in their water before they drink it?
My cat has really slowed down on her eating and seems to be losing weight. I have changed food trying to find something she will eat. What should I do?
What is taurine in cat food?
How many times a year should I take my cat to the vet?
My cat frequently has gas. Is this caused by the food she eats? What can I do to stop the smell?
How do you determine a cat's age? (Cat years vs. human years)
Why do cats clean themselves over and over again?
What is the best way to discipline my cat for the bad things she does?
GENERAL QUESTIONS
How much water should my pet have every day?
Your pet should always have fresh clean water available to drink as he/she pleases.
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Is it okay to switch between pet food products/flavours?
It is okay to change flavours or products. However, remember to introduce a new product gradually over a 7-10 day period. Sudden changes in a pet's diet can cause intestinal upsets. Also, constant changes can create a finicky eater.
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Do I need to supplement my pet's diet?
When a 100% complete and balanced food is fed to a normal, healthy pet, supplementation is rarely needed. However, factors like feeding table scraps, inconsistent exercise, or stressful changes in routine can leave dogs and cats with special nutritional needs.
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Is it okay that my cat is eating my dog's food or vice versa?
Cats and dogs have unique nutritional needs and should be fed a product designed specifically for their needs. Health problems can occur from not feeding a 100% complete and balanced product.
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How do you best transition to a new type of petfood?
When switching to Purina ONE start mixing it with your cat's current food and gradually increase the proportion fed over a period of 7-10 days. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.
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CAT QUESTIONS
When is my kitten "full-grown" and able to eat an adult cat food product?
A kitten should be fed a kitten formula until the kitten is one year old. Then, you may make a gradual diet change to an adult cat food.
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At what age do kittens start to eat on their own?
As part of the weaning process, kittens start to eat solid food around 3 to 4 weeks of age. At this time, kittens should be offered moist food or dry food moistened with water or milk replacer. Enough water should be added to form a soft but not liquid gruel. It is best to offer the same kitten food that will be fed after weaning to avoid stomach upsets. By six to eight weeks of age most kittens have learned to eat solid, unmoistened food.
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Should I feed milk to my kitten?
Milk is a food and not a substitute for water. As a food, milk is incomplete and does not provide a balanced diet. Large quantities of milk may not be well tolerated. Milk contains lactose, which requires the enzyme lactase for breakdown in the intestinal tract. If the intestinal tract does not contain sufficient lactase, consumption of a high level of lactose can cause diarrhea in some pets.
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Why do some cats put their paws in their water before they drink it?
Cats are very picky about the water they "drink". Cats rely on their sense of smell to recognise any possible threatening odours and for appetite stimulation. Because cats have fewer taste buds than humans, the sense of smell plays a very important role in determining the desirability of food and water. There are special receptor cells lining the nasal cavity that analyze molecules of air that form odours thereby allowing the cat to decide whether the water is safe to consume. A cat's sense of touch will also provide additional information about whatever object it touches. All of these factors combined help to give us an idea as to why we often see cats "playing" in their water.
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My cat has really slowed down on her eating and seems to be losing weight. I have changed food trying to find something she will eat. What should I do?
When a cat will not eat, they may be ill. Depending on the age of your cat, she could have an infection, parasites, endocrine disease or another metabolic problem. If she is persistently losing weight and not eating, I would suggest a veterinary visit to determine the cause of her lack of appetite. It is best not to let things continue, but seek medical help as soon as possible.
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What is taurine in cat food?
Taurine is a beta sulfonic amino acid. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and are necessary for the body to function. Some amino acids are produced within the body but others must be obtained from the food. Amino acids can be classified as essential amino acids which are those that cannot be manufactured by the body. For cats, taurine is an essential amino acid that they cannot produce themselves and therefore has to be provided in their diet.
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How many times a year should I take my cat to the vet?
A young healthy cat between 1 and 8 years of age probably only needs to visit a veterinarian once a year. Since our companion animals age faster than we do, once they enter their senior years they should be examined more often. Cats are considered senior once they are older than 7-8 years of age. At that time it is often prudent to have veterinary health check ups at least every 6-12 months depending on the cats overall health. No matter the age of your cat be sure to feed a diet that is appropriate for their age and lifestyle since good nutrition is one key to good health.
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My cat frequently has gas. Is this caused by the food she eats? What can I do to stop the smell?
This condition, called flatulence, is usually caused by eating highly fermentable foods such as beans, cabbage, cauliflower and root vegetables. Large quantities of milk and consumption of carbohydrates may also result in flatulence. In some instances, changes in feeding management can control gas formation. Avoiding rapid diet changes and table foods may also be helpful. If the problem continues see your veterinarian. A highly digestible prescription diet may be necessary.
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How do you determine a cat's age? (Cat years vs. human years)
When determining the age of a cat many factors are taken into consideration. First, their body size because younger cats are smaller than older cats. Second, their behaviour because younger cats are usually more lively than older cats. Third, by looking at their teeth we can also get a rough idea of their age. Young kittens of course still have their baby teeth. Once they have adult teeth, the accumulation of tartar and the wear of the teeth can be used as a rough indicator of age. Finally the first two years of a cats life is roughly equivalent to the first 20 human years. A six-year-old cat is like a 40-year-old person and a 21-year-old cat is like a 100 year old person.
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Why do cats clean themselves over and over again?
Cats are very clean animals and do spend a great deal of time cleaning themselves. Since our domestic cats are thought to have evolved from small wild desert cats, they may also have used grooming to help cool themselves. Our domestic cats may then have retained this behaviour pattern. Grooming also provides a way to remove skin parasites and loose hair.
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What is the best way to discipline my cat for the bad things she does?
The most important aspect of discipline is not to hit your cat. This could make her afraid of you and create the possibility of a fearful aggression. If your cat is doing something that is inappropriate, the best way to discipline her is to distract her with a loud noise. Once she stops and leaves the area, be sure to praise her and redirect her to something else. If she is constantly getting into the same things, try to think how you can rearrange things or provide her with alternate activities so she stays away from that area.
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