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Cats are known to be finicky and picky about a lot of things. Their pickiness in terms of toys and activities is fine and completely natural; if it extends to their eating, things could get a little concerning. If your cat is a picky eater, you can try a few remedies such as serving them different food items. If they still turn away from the food served, you should consult a vet. However, before drawing any conclusions, it is necessary to understand that it is in a cat’s nature to be fussy. And while your feline friend may be stubborn initially, they tend to adapt to a set routine eventually. So, here is a brief guide to help you better understand your cat’s pickiness about food.
There are certain reasons why your cat turns from the food served. This behaviour may not necessarily indicate that your cat is a finicky eater.
If your cat is refusing to eat food served to them, it is possible that they are not hungry. Some possible reasons for this could be that they have been munching throughout the day and have had a lot of treats. If your cat does roam around outdoors by themselves, it is entirely possible that they switched to their hunting instincts and caught prey.
If you notice your cat has not eaten in more than 24 hours, it might be a sign of an underlying weakness and it is best to consult a vet in this matter.
Improper routine
Despite being finicky, cats are creatures who thrive on routine. So, when it comes to their daily feeding, it is best to establish a routine and stick to it. If your cat is not served meals at regular times, they may refuse to eat.
If you have not cleaned your cat’s serving plate before pouring in their food, they may not enjoy the meal. Cats may refuse to eat out of a soiled bowl or plate, so ensure that your pet’s serving dish is always clean.
A lot of cats tend to enjoy eating alone. They do not like consuming meals in the presence of others or being the centre of attention during meal times.
If your cat starts eating less, you may want to look for a factor that could be causing stress. Has another animal been added to the household? Has a family member left or died? Have the cat's surroundings changed, such as a move to a new house? When the stress is removed, your cat will probably go back to a normal diet. If your cat seems healthy, happy, and lively, and has a good coat and clear eyes, there is little cause for concern. Cats also have an uncanny ability to smell changes in the world around them. Even a new bowl can disturb a cat's eating habits. Some cats refuse to eat from plastic or hard rubber bowls.
Medical factors also could contribute to a change in your cat’s eating habits. The only way to verify this is to visit a veterinarian. If the medical examination does not verify that a problem exists, your cat may be manipulating you in grand style!
If your cat is a picky eater and it’s tough to get them to finish a meal, here are some tips you could try:
Heat wet food before serving
Cats have a strong sense of smell and enjoy food by its aroma. If the wet food you served them has gone cold, it may not give off the aroma that cats love. So, heating the meal a little may help.
Clean the serving dish/bowl
Since cats have a strong sense of smell, they will know if their serving bowl is unclean. If so, it can quickly kill their appetite and they may turn away from the food. So, ensure that you always serve meals to your cat in a clean dish/bowl.
Add chicken broth/tuna water/cat oil to their food
Try to entice your cat to eat food by adding a little amount of warm chicken broth, tuna water, or cat oil to the meal. This will significantly improve the smell of the food for the cats. However, do be sure to never serve anything containing onions, chives, or garlic, as these ingredients can be harmful to a cat.
Try different foods
If your cat is still refusing to eat, it may be time to change the food. You may have to try a different product and hope your pet likes the new one.
If despite trying everything your cat still won’t eat, it is time to consult your vet. Also, if your cat has gone more than 24 hours without eating anything, you should visit the vet immediately as your pet could be ill.
If your cat is set on a routine that needs to be changed, make the change slowly and gradually. Your cat may not like a sudden switch in things and can continue to refuse to eat. If you wish to switch your fur baby over to different food, start off by mixing a little quantity of the new food with their current food, over the span of a few days. Gradually, increase the quantity of the new food item until it is the only thing being served.
Switching to a new cat food can be tough. IAMS™ recognises that caring cat owners want to have the option of feeding their pet a more varied diet. IAMS cat foods offer a number of nutritional choices for your cat, including dry and canned foods, naturally preserved diets, and options for overweight cats or cats with reduced activity levels. All IAMS™ cat foods are complete and balanced for specific lifestyles and life stages. Consult your veterinarian or a Pet Professional at The IAMS Company to discuss the best selection for your cat.
Here are some more things you need to keep in mind as a cat parent.
Make sure that your cat has a quiet, comfortable place to eat.
And remember, your cat needs to visit the veterinarian regularly. Regular visits help keep your cat happy and healthy!
Author: Dr. Siti Zaenab
Most owners understand that protein is one of the key nutrients that cats need to thrive and stay healthy, but what many may not fully realize is just how important it is for their long-term wellbeing. Protein is a cat’s primary energy source, and cats need more protein than other domestic animals like dogs and even people. In order to fuel their bodies and nervous systems, cats require more than 50% of their dietary calories to come from protein.
Cats then break the protein down into 11 specific amino acids, which are also known as essential amino acids, which are not found in cats’ natural systems. These essential amino acids are the building blocks that create new proteins and make glucose for energy. On the other hand, amino acids that are found within cats’ natural systems are called non-essential amino acids, and these are not required in a cat’s diet.
A cat’s diet requires animal protein that contains all the essential amino acids that cats need but are not found in plant proteins. This aligns with the understanding that cats are obligate omnivores, needing meat-based protein to survive.
The slightest deficiencies in any of the essential amino acids can lead to serious health problems for cats. For instance, taurine deficiency can cause a host of problems such as blindness, inadequate immune response, poor growth and poor reproductive function.
Another essential amino acid, arginine, is important to remove ammonia from the cat’s body through urine. Without sufficient arginine content in a cat’s diet, ammonia can build up in the bloodstream, which is toxic for the cat. Additionally, the essential amino acid histidine, is a structural protein that acts as a precursor to a number of neurological compounds such as histamine. Histidine deficiency can result in weight loss, refusal to eat, and may result in cataracts.
Cats can consume their dietary protein and obtain their essential amino acids through animal products like chicken and fish. Chicken has one of the highest biological values of all the meats, making it an excellent protein source for cats. It is also a good source of tryptophan, calcium, potassium, and vitamin B6. Fish is also a highly digestible protein source, and fish like salmon can provide cats with important omega-3 fatty acids.
While natural food options that somewhat fulfil a cat’s protein needs are available, owners these days go the extra mile to deep-dive into research to ensure better lives for their cats. Besides relying on online sources like the Internet, cat owners are also seeking more counsel from vets about their beloved cats’ needs, while also becoming more selective in their decisions and detailed in their questions, which is very encouraging to see as a vet. With this spirit, owners can better understand that their cats require adequate protein to stay healthy.
Along with veterinary guidance, owners are on the look-out for food solutions that contain all the essential protein contents in one place. We are finding that they are increasingly turning to products like IAMS products, which contain protein necessary for a variety of needs, such maintaining a healthy coat, strong muscles, and good digestion. With IAMS products, cats can get their protein needs from chicken with IAMS Healthy Adult with Chicken, with real chicken as its main ingredient, and from fish with IAMS Healthy Adult with Ocean Fish, with real fish as its main ingredient, both aiding in healthy digestion, skin and coat, teeth, and muscles, to name a few.
Owners must ensure that their cats’ diets provide complete and balanced nutrition, a key component of which is adequate protein. This can be achieved through consulting with vets, researching good protein sources, and sharing knowledge with fellow cat owners, among others. With such a concerted effort, cat owners can be assured about keeping their cats as healthy and happy for as long as possible.
