Is your cat turning up their nose at mealtime? Before labeling them a “picky eater,” there are a few simple tricks you can try to make their meals more appealing. Texture, aroma, temperature and even variety can all influence how interested a cat is in their food.
Here are five easy ideas to try at home to make your feline friend’s meals more enjoyable!
1. Add a Tasty Topper
If you’re a fan of ketchup on your shepherd’s pie, you’ll understand this tip. Sometimes a small addition with a complementary flavour can make all the difference to a meal, and the same can be true for your cat.
If your cat generally enjoys their regular food but seems less enthusiastic from time to time, adding a topper may help spark their interest. For example, you can add a wet food topper to kibble or crumble a freeze-dried treat over their meal to introduce a different texture and flavour.
2. Mix in a Cat-Friendly Broth
Broth is a great way to enhance both the flavour and texture of a meal while also increasing your cat’s water intake. This makes it an especially useful option for cats that tend to drink less water or during warmer periods of the year.
You can also change things up by choosing broths made from different protein sources, such as chicken, beef or turkey, giving your cat even more variety at mealtime.
3. Add Wet Food
Canned food (or pouches) is a classic feline favourite, isn’t it? With so many flavours and recipes available, once you know which ones your cat enjoys most, it’s a good idea to keep a few on hand.
Wet food is highly appealing to many cats, which can be helpful on days when they’re feeling less enthusiastic about eating. It’s also easy to serve and has a high moisture content.
While beneficial year-round, it can be especially useful during warmer months to help support daily hydration.
4. Explore Different Textures
Whether your cat eats dry food or wet food, don’t hesitate to experiment with different textures. This can help them discover new favourites while allowing you to learn more about their preferences.
When it comes to dry food, there are many options available, but kibble size and shape can make a surprising difference.
For wet food, there’s a wide range of textures to explore, including pâté, mousse, shredded recipes, chunky cuts and finely shredded varieties.
You can take things a step further by modifying the texture yourself. Adding a little water and mixing it into your cat’s meal can create a completely different eating experience. The possibilities are endless, and variety can make mealtime much more engaging.
5. Turn Mealtime into Playtime
Most cats are willing to work for their food. After all, they’re natural hunters! In many cases, they actually enjoy the challenge, and some may even need that extra mental stimulation to fully enjoy their meals.
That’s why it’s worth exploring different food enrichment activities. There are so many options available that trying a few can help you discover what your cat enjoys most.
If you haven’t already introduced your cat to interactive feeders, they’re definitely worth considering. The concept is simple: hide kibble inside the feeder and let your cat use their problem-solving skills and motivation to retrieve it.
The reward is immediate. As soon as your cat figures out the correct movement or strategy, they earn a tasty bite. Interactive feeders come in all shapes and levels of difficulty, so try a few to find the right balance. The challenge should be engaging without becoming frustrating.
For wetter foods, lick mats are another excellent enrichment tool. They encourage cats to focus on their food and eat more slowly by adding a small degree of difficulty to the meal.
Variety Is Great… But Take It Slow!
A cat’s digestive system can be quite sensitive, so it’s important to keep that in mind when introducing new foods or meal enhancements.
Whenever you try something new that you hope to include more regularly in your cat’s diet, start with very small amounts. This gives their digestive system time to adapt gradually.
Some cats are more sensitive than others, so it’s important to monitor them closely during the transition. Any additions to their meals should provide benefits, not digestive discomfort.
In the end, you don’t need to turn every meal into a gourmet feast to make your cat happy! A few simple adjustments can go a long way toward making meals more engaging and better suited to their preferences.
And if your cat suddenly refuses to eat or their appetite changes unexpectedly, it’s always best to consult your veterinary team rather than assume it’s simply a matter of taste.