Feeding fussy cats

If there are no medical reasons for inappetence in your cat, here are six questions to ask yourself:
1.
Is my cat stressed?
Cats are sensitive creatures. They can become stressed for many reasons and this can have a negative impact upon appetite. Has anything changed in the household that may be responsible? Make sure you cat has a quiet place to eat away from any distractions or competition from other pets.
2.
Are my cat’s bowl and feeding area dirty?
Make
sure each meal is served in a fresh bowl, with no residue of previous meals and
rinsed well of cleaning products and unpleasant tasting detergent. Uneaten wet
or fresh food should be picked up and discarded as soon as possible.
3. Is my cat’s food past its best?
Cats are sensitive to the freshness of their food, so make
sure it is stored correctly in an airtight container away from heat
and sunlight.
4. Is my cat’s food too cold?
If you are keeping your cat’s food in the fridge it may be
too cold for your cat to enjoy, try allowing food to reach room temperature
before feeding.
5. Is my cat ‘eating out’?
The treats and titbits you are giving your cat may leave
them less hungry at mealtimes, while cats with easy access to the outdoors may
also be supplementing their diet by hunting.
6. Is my cat’s food enticing enough?
As carnivores, cats have a high requirement for
protein. A recipe with a high proportion of meat or fish (ideally a
named meat source will be the first thing to appear on the ingredient list) can
be appealing to felines whose taste buds are finely attuned to umami
(meaty/savoury) flavours.
Our product recommendation: Arden Grange cat range
All our cat food recipes include a high-quality meat or fish
source as the primary ingredient making a great meal for even the fussiest
feline. We do not use any artificial flavourings, or added salt and sugar
to enhance the taste.
The shape, size and density of food may also play a role. Some
cats enjoy dry kibbles while others prefer a moist texture. Did you know dry
food can be soaked with a little warm water before serving? This softens it to
a texture more suitable for ‘lapping’ and the warmth of the water will further
release enticing aromas from the food.
Excerpts from our fact sheet ‘Inappetence in cats.’ by Ness
Bird - Nutrition Adviser and RVN Cert CFVHNut ©.