Kitten Food & Grooming

Question
Hello Again:
I just had my female kitten spayed last month.  Peatee will be six months old this month.  The vet told me that I could start switching her over to adult food when she gets about 8 months old because of changes with her metabolism.  Would you agree?  I currently feed her Imas dry food and Whiskas wet food (Pate).  I always thought that the kitten food was more nutrious than adult food.  Can you shed some light on this?  My next question is it ok to groom kittens/cats at a professional?  Or it it better to do just home care.  I usually just wash her with baby wipes a few times a month.   I didn't start the bath thing earlier and I am sure it is too late to start now.  Thanks in advance.

Answer
Hi Diane.  Kudos for having Peatee spayed nice and early!  That's the healthiest choice you could have made for her.

As for the food, spaying does cause hormonal changes that may or may not predispose a cat to weight gain.  This really is dependent on each particular cat.  Most don't become overweight at all, as long as they don't overeat and they exercise.  But that is probably the reason your vet recommends switching her over so young.

However, kitten food these days is made assuming cats will be spayed before reaching adulthood.  I personally prefer to feed a kitten kitten food until at least 10 months of age.  IF it turns out she starts to get a little hefty before that time, you can always switch her to an adult food, which has less fat, less protein, and fewer calories.

As for the grooming, I don't recommend sending a cat to a groomer or a vet for bathing.  The stress may lower their resistance to infection.  Couple that with the fact that cats of unknown health status may be in the same room, and you can understand why many cats come down with an illness after a day at the groomer's or vet's office.

Actually, I don't recommend bathing, period.  Cats have a detergent in their saliva that breaks down grease.  And the barbs on their tongue remove dirt, dander, and loose fur.  Cats don't generally need bathing unless they get into something they shouldn't, or they have a medical condition that requires it.  I think using the wipes is the best idea.  And regular brushing is just as effective as a full bathing, and it doesn't pose the risk of dry skin, not to mention the trauma, that bathing does.