Video: Dry Food or Wet Food? by our veterinary nutritionist Dr. Géraldine Blanchard

Kibble and/or wet food, it is important to store your cat's food properly. Otherwise, it may lose quality and above all be refused by your little companion. Here are all our tips to properly preserve your cat's food. For several weeks now, you have been offering your cat Ziggy kibble and wet food (or maybe soon? 😺). He is delighted, purring with pleasure at every bite and every meal. But for a few days, your cat has decided to snub them. He no longer wants them, refuses his food, sulks when seeing his bowl's contents. Several reasons can explain his aversion, starting with poor storage of his food! You should know that cats are very sensitive to the physico-chemical characteristics of their food. Smell, taste, texture, and temperature all matter. And a cat that "doubts" its food will not eat it. He would rather starve than eat kibble that doesn't suit him. Proper food storage is therefore essential, both for your cat's health and your budget. Throwing away good-quality kibble and wet food is quite annoying. So how to store your cat’s kibble and wet food properly? Here are our tips. How to properly store your cat’s kibble Your cat's kibble is like little biscuits. They must be stored in a dry place, away from heat (below 30°C) and humidity. You can keep the kibble in a kitchen cupboard, but it should be away from the oven and stove. We also advise keeping them in their original bag, specially designed to preserve dry food. After each opening, remember to close the bag tightly with a clothespin or sealing clip. Otherwise, the kibble risks oxidizing and some vitamins may degrade. Bacteria can also develop when exposed to air. For maximum protection, don't hesitate to place your kibble bag in a large airtight container. It’s a bit like a Russian doll, but better safe than sorry. Your cat’s food will be well protected. However, if you don't like the bag design (it happens 😿), you can transfer the kibble to an airtight container or a glass jar (keep it away from sunlight). We advise against metal containers because metal can alter the kibble. And especially do not put kibble in plastic containers like Tupperware, as the plastic smell often permeates the kibble. And your kitty won’t appreciate that! He will surely snub his food. Olive, always watching over his Ziggy kibble. How long can you keep your cat’s kibble? If the bag is unopened, just rely on the expiration date indicated on the packaging. If the date is only a few days past, we advise not to feed it to your cat. It won’t poison or make him sick, but the kibble will have lost nutritional quality. If the bag is opened, kibble should ideally be consumed within 4 to 6 weeks after opening. How to properly store your cat’s wet food Like kibble, wet food cans should be stored in a cool, dry place away from heat and humidity; in a cupboard or drawer far from any heat source. A little extra from Ziggy: the storage box. No need to take them all out. Our box fits nicely in a drawer 😺 Tchoupi, eager to taste his Ziggy wet food However, if you don’t like the cans, you can store the food in an airtight container or simply stack them in a cupboard. How long to keep them? If unopened, also rely on the expiration date. Avoid giving expired wet food as it will be of lower quality. And of course, never feed your cat wet food that has been expired for months. The smell is a good indicator: expired wet food that has gone bad smells very bad! After opening, wet food can be kept for 48 hours in the fridge. Be careful where you place it; store it in the coldest part of your fridge, where the most delicate products like meat, cooked and uncooked deli meats, creams, opened fresh products, or fresh cheeses are kept. This area is usually at the top or bottom of your fridge depending on the brand and model. Don’t hesitate to take it out of the fridge a few minutes before serving. With delicate taste buds, our little companions like to eat their food at room temperature. Except for a few cats who prefer it cold. At Ziggy, we know a little cat named Ineka who only appreciates her meals straight from the fridge. We’ve looked for explanations but found none. Another mystery unsolved among our whiskered friends 😹 Note: Do not leave your cat’s wet food in the bowl for several hours. It may dry out and, in some cases, flies may lay their eggs on it. Can you freeze your cat’s kibble and wet food? Many pet parents ask this question. And the answer is yes! It is possible to freeze your cat’s food. However, it is recommended to place the food in another airtight container. For example, kibble in a Ziploc bag, and wet food in a freezer-safe box. Never freeze wet food in its aluminum tray as is. The cold can make it explode. Another option: put them in ice cube trays. Be careful not to freeze fresh food that has already been served to your cat! To thaw, just put it in the fridge. Once thawed, you can feed it to your cat. Again, remember to take it out of the fridge a few minutes before serving your little companion. If the food is still too cold, add a spoonful of warm water to the portion. Properly storing your cat’s kibble and wet food is essential. Our little companions are delicate beings who want only the best in their bowl: fresh, high-quality kibble and wet food. And that’s exactly what we offer at Ziggy: tasty, healthy, and quality food 😻 If your cat hasn’t tried our delicious kibble and wet food yet, know that we offer discovery boxes for sterilized adult cats and kittens. Guaranteed purrs!

Diet plays a crucial role in the health of our cats. And as adoptive parents, we want the best for our little protégés. But it's not always easy to read and decipher the labels of cat food and pâté. Because the health and well-being of your little cat are essential, we couldn't leave you in the pâté. We're going to tell you everything so that you can FINALLY make an informed choice!

My cat refuses his new food. He no longer wants to eat his kibble. Should I persist? How can I get him to accept it? It's possible that your cat is just being a picky eater. But generally, with a good dose of patience and a proper transition phase, it's highly likely that your cat will eventually love his new food. Why is my cat refusing his new food? You might have decided to choose a new food for your cat for various reasons: a medical issue, to help him lose weight, or simply because you discovered the benefits of a healthier diet. However, it is not always easy to get your little cat to accept new food. Our cats have several peculiarities in their eating behavior; some cats will have no trouble switching food and may even enjoy the change, these cats are called "neophilic". Others may be a bit more reluctant. Indeed, it’s important to keep in mind that most of our cats are "neophobic", meaning they are wary of change. What the kitten eats during the first few weeks of its life will strongly influence its future eating habits, just as its mother's diet will impact its preferences. It’s also important to know that cats are sensitive to the "physico-chemical" properties of their food. The smell, taste, texture, and temperature all play a role in the food acceptance process. For example, a cat will prefer food at room temperature, ideally between 20°C and 35°C. As for taste, cats perceive sour, bitter, and salty flavors but are completely indifferent to sweet tastes! Note: if your cat is turning up its nose at the food, it could also be an issue with food storage. The kibble may have oxidized, or the wet food may have dried out, etc. Find all our tips for properly storing your cat's food. How can I get my cat to accept his new food? Basic rules to follow First, make sure that your cat’s bowl is easily accessible. The location of the bowl is very important: your cat should not feel vulnerable while eating. In fact, he will prefer to eat in a calm place, but not necessarily in the corner of a room where he has to turn his back. This is especially true if you have other pets at home. Each animal should have its own bowl. Its feeding area should be at least 50cm away from its litter box. Don’t forget to regularly clean the bowl to keep it nice and clean. Choose a bowl that doesn’t slip on the floor and is not too deep, so your cat’s whiskers don’t get wet. Cats can perceive the oxidation in their food, so make sure to store it in a proper place. The food transition The food transition is likely the best solution for getting your cat to accept new food. This could involve a change in the type of food (dry, wet, homemade, or mixed) or a change in the ingredients. The idea is to introduce the new food gradually, along with your cat’s current food. By doing a food transition, you will avoid shocking your cat’s digestive system with a sudden change. Do not start a food transition just after an unpleasant or stressful event, such as a visit to the vet, a move, or digestive issues like diarrhea or constipation. Steps for a food transition with wet food Step 1: To begin your cat's food transition, start by offering 10g of the new wet food, either alone or mixed with its old food. If your cat doesn’t refuse the new food, you can move directly to the second step. If he doesn’t eat it, try again the next day, and for several days if necessary, so he can get used to the smell of the new food. Step 2: Now you can double the amount of wet food, increasing it to 20g. You can offer this in one meal or divide it into two meals. Step 3: Continue this pace for several days, until the old food is entirely replaced. As you increase the new food, be sure to decrease the old food. For example, for one teaspoon of wet food, decrease the kibble by 2g to 3g. Then, for 50g of wet food, remove 10g to 15g of kibble. Camille and Julia, our awesome Cat Moms, share 5 tips in a video to simplify the food transition. 😽 Feel free to download our complete guide on food transitions. 10 tips to encourage your cat to eat his new kibble and/or wet food 1/ Play with your cat Physical activity stimulates his hunting instincts: “I hunt, then I eat.” It opens up his appetite and releases endorphins, the happiness hormones. Try playing a little hunting game with your cat: ball throws, fishing rod, etc. 2/ Feed him in a calm moment Our whiskered friends are naturally stressed. If you offer him food when there’s a lot of excitement in the house, he won’t eat. He’ll be alert to everything around him, not focusing on his bowl, even if it’s delicious. 3/ Place the bowl in a secure spot Always on the defensive, cats also don’t like to eat with their backs to their surroundings or on the floor! They need to be able to watch out for predators. If they feel unsafe, they may refuse to eat. 4/ Use a clean, shallow bowl Make sure the bowl is clean and shallow, so his whiskers don’t touch the edges. If they get "crushed", it may cause physical discomfort. Opt for a small plate, but avoid plastic or metal containers that may affect the food’s smell. 5/ Serve his wet food at room temperature Cats are gourmets, and their culinary experience mainly relies on smell and texture. So avoid serving cold wet food. You can add a small spoonful of warm water to make it more acceptable. 6/ Divide meals into smaller portions When it’s hot, wet food can dry out, and your little cat may reject it. So offer multiple small meals throughout the day if possible. 7/ Mix the new food with something he likes In the beginning, you can mix Ziggy’s new food with something he likes and is familiar with, like a bit of tuna juice, a drizzle of olive oil, a pitted green olive chopped into small pieces, some plain yogurt (if your cat is not lactose intolerant), a drop of soy sauce, or a few steamed zucchini cubes. 8/ A sachet of probiotics You can also sprinkle a sachet of probiotics on his food; they’re very appetizing and also improve the digestive system of sensitive cats. Probiotics for cats are a great option. 9/ Vary the texture You can also vary the texture by mashing his wet food a bit or adding a tablespoon of warm water to create a little broth if he loves that. 10/ Put some wet food on his paw If your cat refuses to try the wet food, you can put a small amount on his paw. He’ll lick it while grooming himself, slowly getting familiar with the taste and smell.