What do i feed a finicky cat

A little more flavor might be all he needs. Be sure to use tuna packed in water — not oil. If your cat refuses to dine, it may be that he just isn't hungry. Larsen says. Sticking to a regular feeding schedule so that you are only offering food when you know your cat is hungry could solve the pickiness problem. Talk to your vet about the best feeding schedule for your cat.

Your feline friend probably loves to please you, so praising him when he eats will likely seem like a good incentive to him. Extra petting sessions are an especially great bonus. Try feeding all of the cats in your household at the same time but keep in mind that they may need to be fed in different areas to keep any drama to a minimum — creating a stress-free eating environment is also important!

Seeing his feline siblings devouring a delicious meal might just be the only push your picky eater needs. More on Vetstreet:. Bartonella is a type bacteria that can be transmitted to cats, dogs and humans from exposure to infected fleas and…. Want to give your pup yummy, low-calorie treats? Not sure about food puzzles?

Our veterinarian reveals why the payoff for your pet is well worth any extra work. Try feeding from an interactive feeder or cat food puzzle to encourage better eating habits. In addition to making mealtimes more fun, you can entice a cat to eat by making her food more appealing, too. It is the most often the scent of food, not the taste, that attracts your cat to her food. Many cats have strong preferences to certain textures and temperatures, too. If your cat eats canned food but prefers something with a little crunch, consider adding a few crunchy treats or high-quality kibble to her soft canned food.

Likewise, if you feed a dry food, but he prefers it softer, try adding a bit of water or broth. But, be careful! Dry food has a tendency to quickly grow bacteria when moistened. Do not leave moistened food out for more than about 20 minutes! In the long run, offering too many unhealthy alternatives will only make it harder to get a finicky cat to eat her food and could be detrimental to her health. A sudden loss of appetite or a major cutback in the amount of food your cat eats is a big cause for concern and, if this happens, your kitty should see the veterinarian immediately!

You should always monitor the amount of food your cats eat every day and make note of any drastic changes. Warming up their food just a little might make it more appealing since it also releases the meat scent I know, gross. Location: Make sure the food dish is in a safe location—that may mean away from other cats or with a view to see the comings and goings of other animals.

And let us not forget: dogs love cat food. And young children love to play in it and with it. We all need and deserve a little peace and quiet when we eat. As always, this is a very basic overview of a sometimes very complicated process.

To get the full skinny on all things food and feeding—as well as everything else about your cat—check out my latest book, Total Cat Mojo.