As a cat owner, you need to remember that your pet needs a balanced diet for their optimal well-being. They need calcium for strong teeth and bones, phosphorus for energy metabolism, zinc for cell replication, selenium for a strong immune system, taurine for digestive, heart, vision and reproductive health, and other nutrients to help them stay healthy and active.

Making sure your pet's wet or dry cat food contains these minerals and other nutrients guarantees their health and happiness.

However, if your cat is a fussy eater, they won't be able to get these nutrients so easily, which can lead to various health issues. These can include weight loss, lethargy, and a weakened immune system that makes them more susceptible to illnesses.

Your cat may also develop dental problems since specific textures or types of food are essential for maintaining oral health. Additionally, picky eaters are more likely to have digestive issues, such as constipation or diarrhoea, which can disrupt their gastrointestinal balance.

If you want your cat to stay healthy, you need to address their picky eating habits and ensure they eat as soon as possible. 

Feeding Cats With Picky Eating Habits

Below are some handy tips for feeding and ensuring your cat eats even if they are fussy eaters:

  1. Set a feeding routine.

Frequently changing how, when and what you feed your cat can confuse them and cause them to ignore their meals.

Therefore, establishing a feeding routine is one of the most important things you have to do when you have a picky cat. This means setting mealtimes at particular times of the day and sticking to those instead of giving them something to eat whenever you want or it is convenient for you.

A strict feeding schedule can help your feline friend get used to a routine and specific times they can expect to eat.

If you have difficulty creating a regular feeding routine for your cat, invest in an automated feeder.

  1. Minimise the treats you give your cat.

Feeding your cat lots of treats throughout the day affects their appetite and reduces their motivation to eat at mealtimes since they know you'll give them some snacks later.

Because of this, give your pet treats only once or twice a day at specific times.

Avoid tempting your cat to eat by hand-feeding them or putting treats in their bowl since they will expect that they can get a tasty reward even if they refuse their food.

  1. Clean or replace your cat's bowl.

Felines have a strong sense of smell, which means they know if their bowl is dirty. An unclean dish can quickly kill their appetite, causing them to turn away from their food.

Because of this, wash your cat's bowl regularly so that they can find eating more appealing. Doing this also ensures you keep bacteria away from their dish.

If your cat still refuses to eat from their bowl even if it is clean, replace it. If the current one has high sides, choose a wider, shallow dish to accommodate their sensitive whiskers.

  1. Heat wet cat food before serving it.

If your cat suddenly turns their nose up at their usual wet food, it might be because it's cold.

As mentioned, cats have an excellent sense of smell. You can appeal to their olfactory sensitivity and boost their appetite by heating their food before serving it.

Wet food usually loses its tasty aroma when kept in the fridge. Warming their food in the microwave for a few seconds releases an appetising aroma, which should hopefully tempt your cat to eat.

  1. Try different cat foods.

Sometimes, curbing your pet's fussy eating habits may be as simple as switching to another product. This is because some cats may prefer the taste of fish over chicken or beef.

You should also consider experimenting with dry and wet cat food to check which appeals to your cat.

To find out which flavours appeal to your pet, get several ones and give them small amounts first to check if they like them. You can also place some of the new product with their current food to encourage them to try it.

Remember to get only small bags of cat treats and food since they are usually best used within six weeks after opening them. Storing them for longer can cause them to become stale.

Also, ensure you make their transition to a new product slowly over seven to ten days to give your furry friend time to adjust.

  1. Change your cat's feeding spot.

Switching your pet's eating spot can also encourage them to eat more. This means placing their bowl in a different area of your home. If you were feeding them near the kitchen door, try putting it in the living room.

Wherever you place your cat's food bowl, make sure it isn't close to their litter box. Also, ensure this spot is quiet and free of distractions.

If your cat has arthritis, raise the bowl off the floor by placing it over a small stool to make it easier for them to reach their food.

Observe your cat during their mealtimes to find out where they feel more comfortable eating and designate it as their feeding spot.

Although having a cat with fussy eating habits can be concerning, it doesn't have to stress you out. With these tips, you can encourage your furry friend to eat more and get the nutrients they need to stay healthy, strong, active and happy.