You might have noticed your kitty is a bit of a fussy eater! One day he is happily munching away, the next he barely gives his bowl a sniff. Like people, cats get tired of their food. But what should you do when they refuse to eat?
Check for health
There are number of reasons why cats ignore their food, but one to always keep in mind is potential illness. In short, your kitty might be sick. But don’t panic! If you notice that this is the first time your cat isn’t eating, you may just need to switch their food. But if their fussiness continues, be sure to take them to the vet.
Try different flavors
Cats need variety, just like humans! Similar to your cat, you would get tired of eating the same meal every day. If your cat stops eating, try switching the flavor of her food. If she’s been stuck on tuna flavor, offer chicken flavor. Have they been eating lots of liver? Try salmon. Notice if he or she takes to certain flavors more than others. When buying, be conscious of what flavors you are picking out as well as the ingredients they contain. In general, aim to have at least three different flavors on hand so as to give your cats enough variety.
Try different textures
Cats may enjoy their food more if they’re also given the opportunity to try different textures. If they’ve been eating pate, try something chunkier with a stew-like texture. Alternatively, if you notice that your cat tends to eat around larger pieces of food, a pate may be exactly what they need. You may also want to change out the bowls and try other tricks to help convince your cat to eat.
Are you worried about your kitty’s eating habits while you’re away? Katie’s Kitty pet sitters send nightly updates to give you peace of mind on your vacation. Call us today!
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Candace Elise Hoes is a pet sitter and blogger at Katie’s Kitty. She is a graduate of the MFA Writing Program at California College of the Arts.
photo by Kevin N. Murphy on flickr