It’s a bit of a conundrum at times, since dry food is considered better for their teeth, wet food is much better for their kidneys. Since kidney disease is a leading killer of cats, I’d go with wet food, and give them dental crunchy treats occasionally.
Kitten food a while longer. Your basic DSH or DLH will need about a year of kitten food. A larger breed, such as a Maine Coon might need it for 18 months or 2 years. You want to cover the active growing phase.
You’ll have to transition her by mixing a little wet food into a lot of dry. Gradually change that ratio. Eventually she’ll be eating all wet.
Wet food. Discuss with the vet if there is a specific food they recommend for kidney issues. Stick to your guns on wet food. It is an easy way to get more fluids into them, and they need fluids. If the cats don’t like the kidney food, skip it. Fluids are more important at this point.
Cats are largely carnivores. FFS, do not get vegetarian food for your cat. It’s out there. Some vegetable matter is fine. They will chew on grass and some other herbs. They will also ingest green matter that is in the stomachs of their prey. They do get some greens, it’s just not a huge percentage of their diet. You want high protein content. You want taurine. Vitamins and so on, generally fine. Water.
Avoid fillers and carbohydrates, like grain, rice, corn, bone meal. Avoid sugars.
I like Blue Buffalo (more expensive). I have used Iams (lower end of better brands) and Nutro (middle) as well.
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Stick with canned food for cats - they need the taurine. You can try other strategies to up their fluid consumption. Mix some water or broth into their food (if they’ll tolerate it). Use a “waterfall” type drinking fountain for the cats.
Yes. I’d used the crunchy treats, and avoid dry, especially with your older guys.