My cat is a fussy eater
If your cat is a fussy eater, then don’t worry, because they have a reputation for being extremely finicky. In truth, this behaviour is generally learned and not bred into them.
You may think your cat wants or requires variety in their diet but in actual fact, they will happily eat the same food everyday for all of their life provided it is a nutritious meal.
Slowly, slowly
What may seem like finicky eating may just be your cat taking her time. Many cats are nibblers and prefer to have a mouthful of food now and again. Just because they don’t eat the whole bowl right away doesn’t mean they don’t like the food.
My cat's not eating enough
Your cat may be avoiding their food because they’re getting extra treats somewhere else. If you treat your cat a lot or feed them scraps from the table, you need to stop. Your cat will complain for a while but eventually they’ll understand that the only food they’re going to get is from their bowl.
Try to make sure no one else is treating the cat – either in your household or in the neighbourhood. It only takes one person to change how your cat expects to get her food.
If you tried giving your kitten several different foods to see which they preferred, you may find that by the time they grow up you have given them the impression that you’ll always do this. If you’re opening multiple cans of food and trying to coax your cat into eating something every meal, then your cat has got you trained.
Here’s a very effective way to train your cat to eat only what you want them to eat:
After a day or two of this your cat may start howling for extra treats. Don’t give in. Your cat isn’t starving; they’re just using their charms to get what they want. You may have to put up with a couple weeks of complaining, but this treatment will soon put a stop to fussy eating.
Switching to a new food
If you’re changing your cat’s food you should do it gradually. Start by mixing a little of the new food with their regular food, gradually increasing the amount until only the new food is fed.
When to call the vet
If your cat suddenly becomes very finicky after not previously displaying that kind of behaviour, or appears to be losing weight you should talk to your vet. Sometimes behaviour that appears fussy can be caused by an underlying medical reason like a dental problem, a digestive upset or hairballs.