| | | | | changes in a cat's diet need to be introduced |
| Many cat owners will have experienced the | | | | gradually. |
| frustration of a pet who is a picky eater. Often, cats | | | | That said, given the cat's penchant for a variety of |
| will be very selective about their foods and may | | | | meats, it is a good idea to try to get your cat to eat |
| quickly decide that they no longer like something that | | | | a small range of foods throughout the week, with at |
| they previously enjoyed. So, why are cats such | | | | least three or four different types of meat. With |
| fussy eaters and what is the best way to deal with | | | | some cats, this may not be possible, but it is worth |
| it? | | | | attempting. |
| | | | | Typically, it is recommended that you provide your |
| How Cats Became Picky Eaters | | | | cat with a wet (canned or pouched) food, as a diet |
| | | | | exclusively made up of dry food can easily lead to |
| Before domestication, wild cats developed over | | | | dehydration and urinary infections. Therefore, it is |
| thousands of years eating small fish, mammals and | | | | advisable to select a few single cans (this is the |
| birds. They were opportunistic hunters and would | | | | cheapest method of finding out whether your cat will |
| therefore eat a variety of meaty morsels. | | | | eat a particular food) and try to gradually introduce |
| Additionally, cats were (and in some cases still are) | | | | these new flavors into your cat's diet. If your cat |
| very solitary animals and would therefore hunt and kill | | | | eats dry food, try mixing some of the wet food into |
| to feed themselves. So, unlike other animals that eat | | | | it. On the other hand, if your cat already eats wet |
| in packs, solitary cats can afford to be fussy about | | | | food, try mixing the flavors. |
| what they eat. | | | | If your cat accepts the food mixed in with a flavor |
| Because cats only eat meat, they need to acquire all | | | | he, or she, is familiar with, then you can try to offer |
| of their nutrition from the small animals they eat. | | | | the new food on its own. |
| Consequently, wild cats need to eat a variety of | | | | |
| animals to get this necessary nutrition. In other | | | | What Kind of Food is Best? |
| words, cats get vitamins and minerals from the food | | | | |
| their prey has eaten. This is why a cat can suddenly | | | | As mentioned above, wet food is best for a cat. |
| go off a particular type of food, by nature cats are | | | | However, you can combine a diet of dry and wet |
| designed to eat more than one meat in order to fulfil | | | | foods if that suits. Most importantly of all, however, |
| their dietary requirements. | | | | is the brand of food you choose. Of course, there |
| Through generations of evolution, the cat has been | | | | are many to choose from, but don't be fooled into |
| made fussy and changeable through necessity. | | | | thinking they are all the same. |
| Believe it or not, he, or she, is not just trying to | | | | Some cheap brands are nutrient deficient and will |
| annoy you (although that may be part of it). | | | | therefore lead to health problems, including obesity (if |
| | | | | the cat is not getting the nutrients it needs, it will eat |
| What to Feed a Fussy Cat? | | | | more). Therefore, it is recommended that you read |
| | | | | the first three ingredients in all cat foods before |
| If you are about to welcome a cat into your home, | | | | purchase, if a meat is not among those three |
| it is important to find out what food the cat has | | | | ingredients, then that food should be avoided. |
| been used to eating. It is wise to begin by providing | | | | Feeding a fussy cat can be difficult, but try to offer |
| this exact brand and flavor, because it will avoid | | | | your cat a variety and ensure that any changes in |
| stomach upsets and refusal to eat. Remember, any | | | | his, or her, diet are not made suddenly. |