Best Tips for Getting Your Picky Cat to Eat
Cats are great furry friends with many fantastic qualities. But they can also be picky, especially when it comes to food.
If your kitty turns up its nose at every meal, don’t despair. There are ways to convince your cat to eat and we are going to share those incredibly helpful tips in this blog post.
Want to know what they are? Keep reading to learn!
Make Sure Your Cat is Healthy
Many felines are finicky, but some have underlying health problems that affect their appetite. So, if your furball suddenly stops eating, you should first rule out all possible health issues.
Once you’ve determined that nothing is seriously wrong with your kitty you can try the advice listed below.
Get your Cat on a Feeding Schedule
Instead of leaving out dry food all day and night, get your cat on a feeding schedule. This entails serving your kitty’s meals at set times each day.
Any food that doesn’t get finished within a certain amount of time should be picked up and put away for later. This will teach your cat to finish the food while it’s still there.
Give Your Cat Something New
Just like people, cats have their own taste preferences. If your pet doesn’t like its food, you can bet your cat won’t eat it. That’s why you might want to try a new recipe that contains different ingredients.
Just be sure to keep an eye on your cat when introducing new foods. Not all cats can tolerate all ingredients.
You could also try switching to a different type of food. For example, if you are currently feeding dry chows, give your fur baby wet or semi-wet food.
Mix it Up
Are you stuck in a rut, giving your cat the same recipe every day? If the answer is yes, it’s no wonder your kitty doesn’t get excited at mealtime.
After a while, eating the same food gets boring. Don’t let your cat get bored. Instead, provide at least three different recipes and give your cat a different one at each meal.
Of course, you can include more than three recipes in the meal rotation. That would add even more variety and nutrition to your cat’s diet.
Change Your Cat’s Meal Settings
If cats are picky about what they eat, it should come as no surprise that they are also picky about a lot of other things.
For instance, maybe your feline prefers eating from a plate rather than a bowl. Or maybe your cat doesn’t like where the bowl is placed.
Test out different locations and kitty dishes. Pay close attention to how your cat responds to each change. The changes your cat likes best should be made permanent.
Don’t Hover
Hovering about while your cat is trying to eat might cause your four-legged pal to lose its appetite. Instead of hanging around, walk away. You can take a peek at your puss in a few minutes.
Don’t Spoil Your Cat’s Dinner
Don’t give your cat too many treats throughout the day. Otherwise, your kitty might not be hungry for dinner. So, if you want to make sure your cat is ready for mealtime, limit your pet’s treat consumption.
Serve it Warm
Some cats don’t like eating cold food. If that sounds like your pet, you will have to warm up your kitty’s meal.
But be careful. You don’t want to make the food hot. You’re just aiming for room temperature.
The best way to accomplish this is by placing the food in a glass bowl. Put that bowl in warm water and let it sit for approximately five minutes.
Praise Your Puss
When your cat eats all of its food, let your kitty know how happy you are. This positive reinforcement will motivate your feline to finish off the next meal too.
Add a Tempting Topper
Try adding fun toppings to pique your cat’s interest in its food. Here are some great ideas:
- Chop up plain meat, chicken, or fish and mix it into your cat’s food.
- Pour a bit of tuna juice into the food. Make sure the tuna was packed in water.
- Make plain broth without onions or other cat-toxic ingredients. Mix the broth into your cat’s food.
Now Try These Tips!
Before reading this blog post, you might have been at a loss for what to do. But now you have some great tips that will get your cat chowing down. The end result will be a well-nourished kitty that is happy and healthy.
About the Author:
Savanna Westwood
Savanna Westwood is the Owner and Founder of The Savvy Sitter, Pet Sitting and Dog Walking, LLC. She has grown up with animals all her life and enjoys spending time with them. Savanna has lived in the Winter Garden and Windermere Area for over 30 years. When she is not taking care of Fur Friends, one can find her reading, practicing archery, riding, and devising ways to provide additional and excellent services to clients. Savanna is a Certified Professional Pet Sitter with Pet Sitter International's CPPS certification and also holds certification in Pet First Aid and CPCR for Pet-Care Professionals.