Top Tips for Offering Fussy Eaters Cat Food
The Myth of the "Fussy" Eater
Some cats (like some people) can be rather particular about what's in their food bowl. If you think about it from an evolutionary perspective, cats are programmed to kill and eat fresh meat. They are not scavengers by nature unless threatened with starvation. This is one reason why cats have such a heightened sense of taste and smell - as a safety mechanism to prevent them from ingesting spoiled or contaminated meat.
Domestic cats tend to have specific preferences for certain textures or flavours of foods and how it is served. We know that a cat's perception of food flavour is not merely down to taste alone - other sensations influence the messages that are sent to the brain when deciding whether to eat or not. This is often interpreted as "fussiness" when the cat is simply being cautious and selective about what it chooses to eat just as we are.
For many cats (who as I always point out are creatures of habit) it is about familiarity and routine. We've probably all got our own favourite restaurant and even a favourite table at that restaurant. Some of us order the same thing every time, others like variety and sample something different on the menu. Equally many of us can think of a food or even a restaurant that we used to like and now dislike. My point is that like us cats develop routines and aversions which is worth considering next time your "fussy" eater seems quick to turn up their nose at something.
Domestic cats tend to have specific preferences for certain textures or flavours of foods and how it is served. We know that a cat's perception of food flavour is not merely down to taste alone - other sensations influence the messages that are sent to the brain when deciding whether to eat or not. This is often interpreted as "fussiness" when the cat is simply being cautious and selective about what it chooses to eat just as we are.
For many cats (who as I always point out are creatures of habit) it is about familiarity and routine. We've probably all got our own favourite restaurant and even a favourite table at that restaurant. Some of us order the same thing every time, others like variety and sample something different on the menu. Equally many of us can think of a food or even a restaurant that we used to like and now dislike. My point is that like us cats develop routines and aversions which is worth considering next time your "fussy" eater seems quick to turn up their nose at something.
Get the ambience right!
Feeding location
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Privacy & Security - instinctively we and cats are not designed to eat when anxious. It's part of our natural "the fight or flight" response. Cats are more likely to eating when they feel relaxed so generally prefer to be left in peace to eat and don't enjoy an audience from humans, other cats/pets. Create a bit of privacy at mealtimes and switch feeding time until after the rest of household has eaten, keeping your cat away from the family eating area during meals.
Access - If your cat is elderly, arthritic or weak, don't place the food bowl too far away from their preferred sleeping place. If you usually put the bowl out of your dog's reach, consider whether an ageing/unwell cat can easily get to it. You may need to pull a bowl away from the wall if your cat has an Elizabethan collar "lampshade" on. Timing - some cats prefer to eat when left alone overnight, others seem to respond well to food if you actually waft the food under their nose while they are sleep. Novelty- although most cats are fans of routine (some even showing a preference to one side of the bowl) some seem to respond to a change of scene... if my cats are been pickier with their food I offer them the same food somewhere else and it often makes them more interested. |
Consider using an automated feeding bowl like this one. It can help an elderly or sick cat who tend to prefer to eat little & often, gain access to fresher food when it feels hungry. They are also great for keeping food away from other cats, dogs, children and flies!
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Food bowl etiquette
Shape - Most cat food bowls are designed to appeal to owners and not cats! Avoid small, deep bowls, instead try offering food in wide, shallow bowls or plates (eg saucers) This avoids a cat's super-sensitive whiskers making contact with anything while eating.
Height - consider raised you cat's food bowl slightly with a book/upturned saucer as it may make eating easier for some cats with arthritis/back pain.
Cleanliness - make sure your cat's bowl is clean. Many cats won't eat out of a bowl that has bits of old food in it. Would you? Get into the habit of washing out food and water bowls after each use as leftovers from a previous meal are hardly appetizing. Some cats do not like the odour of perfumed detergents/dishwasher residue so unless there is an infectious disease risk (eg catteries, breeders etc) try to use hot water soaking/washing alone for cleaning.
Height - consider raised you cat's food bowl slightly with a book/upturned saucer as it may make eating easier for some cats with arthritis/back pain.
Cleanliness - make sure your cat's bowl is clean. Many cats won't eat out of a bowl that has bits of old food in it. Would you? Get into the habit of washing out food and water bowls after each use as leftovers from a previous meal are hardly appetizing. Some cats do not like the odour of perfumed detergents/dishwasher residue so unless there is an infectious disease risk (eg catteries, breeders etc) try to use hot water soaking/washing alone for cleaning.
Food Type, Smell and Presentation
Dry Food
If your cat normally enjoys dry food but has suddenly become fussy, you may need to replace the food in the bowl more regularly rather than just topping up. Dry food also absorbs moisture and becomes stale, especially in warmer weather. Buying smaller bags and storing dry food in sealed/airtight containers rather than in a bag can help retain taste and vitamins and prevent the fat component from becoming rancid. Always check the "best before" date to ensure that the food is not already out of date. During my rounds I have come across many owners who put a larger than needed quantity of dry food in a bowl. They either throw it away at the end of the day or leave it out for another day or return it to the bag. This is really not necessary and is a bad idea! You only ever need to put your cat's measured daily amount in the bowl (which incidentally is far less than the bag tends to suggest and needs to take into account any treats/wet food fed each day too). After a few hours of being exposed to the air, the fatty coating on dry food loses it's taste and smell, making it far less fresh and far less appetizing (think left over picnic food!). If your cat didn't want it on the day it was served then they are even less likely to eat it served up the next day or once it has been sat back in the bag/container for goodness knows how long!
Wet Food
Temperature, smell and texture are collectively very important factors when tempting cats to eat.
Smell - is a key factor with food acceptance in cats. Warming food can therefore be very helpful at releasing the aroma which is great for any cat but especially those that are unwell, have blocked noses (from nasal disease/flu) or simply older cats that have a reduced sense of smell.
Temperature - make sure that you don't serve food straight from the fridge. By letting it get to room temperature first this can help. Many cats are much more likely to eat food at warm temperatures simply because it mimics the experience of eating dead prey.
Texture - Many cats have a preference for foods served in gravy or jelly, whilst others like pate style foods which can be easier to eat and are great for adding extra water to. I commonly hear owners of inappetant cats saying their cat is just licking the gravy off their wetfood - I often suggest try mashing the food and adding some water or you could use an electric mixer/blender.
Smell - is a key factor with food acceptance in cats. Warming food can therefore be very helpful at releasing the aroma which is great for any cat but especially those that are unwell, have blocked noses (from nasal disease/flu) or simply older cats that have a reduced sense of smell.
Temperature - make sure that you don't serve food straight from the fridge. By letting it get to room temperature first this can help. Many cats are much more likely to eat food at warm temperatures simply because it mimics the experience of eating dead prey.
Texture - Many cats have a preference for foods served in gravy or jelly, whilst others like pate style foods which can be easier to eat and are great for adding extra water to. I commonly hear owners of inappetant cats saying their cat is just licking the gravy off their wetfood - I often suggest try mashing the food and adding some water or you could use an electric mixer/blender.
How to warm up wet cat food
You can optimize the smell and temperature experience for your cat by using a microwave (or steamer as one client of mine does). Heat the food until it is just warm to the touch - about 30-35 degrees C. I tend to go for the "high" microwave setting for a couple 3-5 seconds and then check it - sizzling noises are not good - you don't want to ruin the nutrient value! Always be sure you mix it well and check for unevenly heated spots. Alternatively, soak the sealed pouch or tin in boiling water or add some to the food - which can help to increase your cat's fluid intake at the same time but may slightly reduce taste so don't add too much.
Raw Meat & Bone
This topic is a real "bone" of contention (so to speak) between vets and owners and also within the veterinary profession itself. It causes very heated debate because some people believe that commercial pet food is the only way to ensure a balanced diet and others believe that cats should be fed raw meat and bone as this is what would be a part of a wild cat's natural diet. I currently take a middle of the road approach as I believe that the situation is not black and white and that there are pros and cons on each side of the argument. Furthermore, our domesticated cats will often choose for themselves what they prefer. If you would like to make a more informed decision about what to feed your cat, then I have lots of tips for deciding whether it's right for you both, in my online course academy.
Consider external factors affecting feline appetite
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Eating elsewhere - If your cat has outdoor access then an unscheduled snack (eg hunting, being fed elsewhere) may mean that your cat simply isn't as hungry as usual. I'm sure I have at least one "Six-Dinner Sid" on my books!!
Seasonal variations - Like humans, cats appetites can vary with the season – a recent study showed that during the summer months cats eat better than they do in winter time. Interestingly body weight remained the same throughout the year so this suggests it is cats’ activity levels that drive the change in energy requirements rather than the temperature itself. This is less likely to apply to indoor-only cats however. Breed - Unlike humans, cats don't tend to get psychological eating disorders and most will give in when they get really hungry. Some pedigree breeds (eg Siamese, other Orientals and Persians) can be fussier than other cats. When your cat does eventually eat, offer lots of praise and affection as soon as the bowl has been removed. |
  Sid has six owners, lives in six houses and has six dinners a day. Each household believes that Sid is theirs and theirs alone... until one day he gets found out!
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How can I reduce the chance of my kitten becoming a choosy cat?
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If you are starting from scratch with a kitten, you can help by nipping any finicky eating habits in the bud. Once they'd settled into their new home with you and you're sure there is no diarrhoea or other illness:
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If a kitten or cat's fussiness persists and they are otherwise well, then perhaps think about trying an alternative high quality cat food. Stick with the previous preference be it dry or wet. Sometimes a simple change of recipe will get their taste buds firing again.
Is my cat really being "fussy" or is there actually something wrong?
You generally tend to know from the word go whether you genuinely have a feline with a choosy palate. If your cat has previously been easy to please but starts becoming choosy then there is usually a reason lurking behind it. It doesn't always have to be a medical illness but stress (often the dynamics between cats in a household) can be equally important.
If cats do not eat regularly they can develop a severe illness called hepatic lipidosis often within just a couple of days. If all your efforts to get your cat eating are not working then it is vital that you see a vet to prevent this potentially fatal condition. Whilst trying to find the underlying cause for your cat's inappetance our priority is getting them to eat something in the meantime. Without adequate nutrition you cat will be lacking the energy and vitamins/minerals it's body needs to get better. In particular blood levels of a salt called potassium can become depleted and lead to a marked weakness and heart problems.
Remember to consult with your vet if your cat refuses to eat for more than 24 hours. A reduction in appetite is the most common warning sign for a more serious issue. Even if it could just be fussiness, it's always best to be sure.
If cats do not eat regularly they can develop a severe illness called hepatic lipidosis often within just a couple of days. If all your efforts to get your cat eating are not working then it is vital that you see a vet to prevent this potentially fatal condition. Whilst trying to find the underlying cause for your cat's inappetance our priority is getting them to eat something in the meantime. Without adequate nutrition you cat will be lacking the energy and vitamins/minerals it's body needs to get better. In particular blood levels of a salt called potassium can become depleted and lead to a marked weakness and heart problems.
Remember to consult with your vet if your cat refuses to eat for more than 24 hours. A reduction in appetite is the most common warning sign for a more serious issue. Even if it could just be fussiness, it's always best to be sure.
