Is Your Cat a Picky Eater? Things to Consider About Their Food
It’s no secret that cats can be picky eaters, and pet food companies have responded by making a variety of foods in a range of textures and flavors to suit every finicky feline’s preferences.
If your kitty isn’t eating, here are some of the things to consider about their food to see if you can make some changes that will keep them happy.
First, Consider Other Factors
Cats aren’t being picky just to be difficult or stubborn.
First off, they might not be feeling well, which warrants a checkup with the veterinarian to be sure they’re healthy. If they have a condition causing them to have a reduced appetite, or no appetite, you need to get answers right away, as it could be serious.
If a cat ate something that made them feel unwell or caused them to have diarrhea or vomiting, they might associate that particular food with their ailment and then refuse it in the future as a result.
What appears to be pickiness might even be caused by the location of your cat’s food bowls. They might have issues with where they’re fed, especially if there’s competition from other cats or disruptions from kids or other pets. Set their bowl up in a quiet, safe area where they won’t be bothered while they enjoy their meal.
Or, you might be using the wrong type of cat bowl. The material (e.g., ceramic, stainless steel, plastic) might play a role, as can the design and height of the bowl. For example, some cats prefer dishes because it helps them avoid whisker fatigue, and some find it easier to eat out of raised/elevated bowls. And, of course, the bowls should be clean so there aren’t any lingering odors or stuck-on food.
The Form and Texture of the Food
Cat food comes in a variety of shapes and textures. There’s dry, wet (canned or pouch), dehydrated or freeze-dried, and raw. But it doesn’t end there, as there are multiple options within those categories. For example, when it comes to wet foods, you can purchase those with meaty chunks in gravy or you can buy a smooth pate.
If you offer multiple types of food to your kitty, you may notice they have a preference for one or more types. Some kitties might even prefer combinations, such as dry food topped with wet or freeze-dried food. Even if you gave your kitten a range of wet foods along with dry food in an effort to get them used to eating different things, they might have grown to have their own preferences, and it’s a matter of figuring out what they like most.
To see what we mean, note the differences in texture and form between a food like Fancy Feast Gems Exquisite Mousse Collection, which comes in multiple flavors and is a mousse pate with gravy on top, and Weruva Paw Lickin’ Pals wet food, which has shredded meat in multiple flavors.
The Way the Food Smells
The aroma of a food can entice a kitty to dig in or cause them to turn their nose up and walk away. Cats use their strong sense of smell to determine if a food is fresh and safe enough to eat. And if a food has a strong odor, you might notice your cat is more interested in it.
If your cat is refusing to eat a particular food, the smell might be a turnoff for one reason or another. Maybe the food has been sitting out for too long, or maybe there’s an ingredient in the recipe that makes it smell strange to them.
If you think the smell isn’t strong enough, you might be able to encourage your cat to eat their food by adding warm water to it. Some people even add broth to their cat’s wet or dry food to add flavor, aroma, and moisture.
The Temperature of the Food
Yet another thing to consider is the temperature of the food. Are you putting canned leftovers in the refrigerator and then spooning some out for your cat at mealtime? If the food is cold, your kitty might not want to eat it. Some even prefer when their food is warmed up a bit, while others are fine with eating it at room temperature.
Every cat is an individual, so once again, it’s a matter of figuring out what your one-of-a-kind cat likes most. One kitty might be perfectly fine with eating food that just came out of the refrigerator, while another will insist on having warm water added to their food to increase its temperature right out of the can.
The Way the Food Tastes
This one is obvious: you don’t like eating food that doesn’t taste good to you, and neither does your cat. So, experiment with different flavors to see what your kitty likes most. Keep in mind your cat is an obligate carnivore, so they love the savory taste of meat from different animals.
Thankfully, pet food brands have made it simple to try different flavors because they offer a wide range of options, including novel proteins like lamb, rabbit, and venison.
Figure out your kitty’s flavor preferences in the same way you’d figure out their texture preferences: by offering them different options and seeing what they go for and what they reject.
Are They Always Fed the Same Food?
Would you want to eat the same thing every day and for every meal? Of course not! So, why would you assume a kitty would be okay with it? Even if your cat is the type to only eat one type of food (e.g., dry, wet, dehydrated, raw), it’s a good idea to provide variety to prevent them from getting bored.
While some cats might prefer a single type of protein, others might get tired of eating the same thing for too long. For example, maybe they get tired of eating poultry too often, so you need to add some beef or fish to the mix.
With Patience, You’ll Figure It Out!
There are a lot of things that influence your cat’s decision to chow down or walk away from their meal. Just like us, they can tell if a food is safe to eat, and they have their own likes and dislikes. Be patient as you get to know your cat, and remember, too, that their preferences might change with age.
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Lisa Selvaggio is a freelance writer and editor, and our resident cats-pert, with certifications in pet nutrition and pet first aid. She enjoys producing content that helps people understand animals better so they can give their pets a safe and happy home.
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