by: Dr. Shagufta Mulla, DVM 12.09.24

Vetted: Is My Cat a Picky Eater?

health, nutrition

Is your cat turning their nose up at their bowl? Maybe even pawing at the ground before strutting off? You might be wondering—Is it the new food? Or, if the food hasn’t changed—What gives? Cats are famously picky, and there are plenty of reasons they might not be thrilled with what’s on the menu. Let’s break it down and figure out what might be going on.

Personal preferences

Cats are great at knowing what they want—and, let’s be honest, sometimes it’s not exactly what we want. Refusing to eat can quickly become a problem, both financially and medically. But rest assured, your cat isn’t trying to be difficult on purpose.

Cats' dietary preferences are influenced by foods they were exposed to early in life as kittens and even by what their mother was eating while pregnant with them. Certain smells, tastes, and textures become imprinted on them, and from a survival perspective, what’s familiar feels safe.

Food preferences can also evolve if a cat has, or had, medical issues. They may no longer prefer a certain flavor or texture if they associate it with a time when they weren’t feeling well, particularly if they were nauseous while ill.

Food characteristics

The way food smells, tastes, and even feels can make or break mealtime for your cat, whether it’s a brand-new dish or an old favorite.

• Recipe Changes
  Sometimes pet food companies tweak their recipes. If your cat suddenly turns up their nose at a food they’ve always loved, it’s worth double-checking if the formula has changed. Not sure what’s different? Reach out to the company for details—they’re usually happy to help.

• Temperature and Freshness
  For cats who love fresh food like Smalls—or even canned meals—it’s a good idea to gently warm refrigerated food before serving. A little heat can bring out the aroma, which is a big part of the eating experience for cats. Familiar smells signal safety and can even make the food taste better.
  Also, pay attention to how fresh the food is. Expired or spoiled food doesn’t just pose health risks; it often smells and tastes different, which your cat will notice right away. Dry food can also go stale if the bag has been open too long, losing its appeal after a couple of months. Stick to recommended storage guidelines to keep your cat’s meals safe and appetizing.

• Flavor, Shape, and Texture
  Every cat has their quirks. Some will happily crunch on any kibble you offer, while others thrive on fresh food like Smalls or prefer wet food. Finding the right fit might take a bit of trial and error. Experiment with different flavors, shapes, and textures to see what clicks for your cat’s unique preferences.

Medical issues

A cat can start to reject food if they’re having trouble smelling due to respiratory issues or if they have any of a multitude of conditions that cause them to not feel well, such as being nauseous with advanced kidney disease, dental pain (such as from tooth resorption), or pain from arthritis, pancreatitis, bowel disorders, or urinary tract issues. With dental conditions, a cat that previously would eat cold fresh or canned food may now refuse because the cold food contacting the affected tooth or teeth increases pain. A cat can also start to reject a familiar food if medication is hidden in it because they can smell and taste what’s been added.

Decreased appetite in a cat needs to be closely overseen by a veterinarian because not eating enough, or at all, can cause a dangerous liver condition called hepatic lipidosis. This is when fat is mobilized by the body and deposits in the liver, preventing proper liver function, which makes an already sick kitty even more ill. If your cat hasn’t been eating well for more than 24 hours, you need to let your veterinarian know. With adult dogs, depending on what else is going on, a day of eating less isn’t necessarily a big problem. But with cats who are prone to developing hepatic lipidosis within as little as 2 or 3 days, eating less or not at all needs to be addressed immediately to prevent liver failure.

Environmental factors

Their environment plays a big role in a cat feeling comfortable enough to eat.

• Location
  Even though it seems logical to put the water bowl next to the food bowl, cats prefer some distance between the two. Think of it this way. If you were eating an animal, you wouldn’t want fecal matter and urine to end up in your water supply. Keep food and water bowls about a foot apart or in separate locations. It’s also a good idea to have water bowls in several locations around your home.
  Cats don’t want their food and water near litter boxes either. The smells of a litter box are unappealing and from a basic survival instinct (which cats still have despite being pets), valuable resources aren’t kept in the latrine.
  Bowls should also be placed in quiet, low-traffic areas where your cat won’t be interrupted by other pets and children. In multi-cat homes, some cats get along well but since food is a valuable resource from a survival perspective, there are cats who may be a bully around food bowls. If you notice one cat pushing others away from their bowls or sneaking bites of someone else’s meal, it’s a sign to start feeding them separately. Creating individual feeding stations can help ensure everyone gets their fair share. This kind of competition isn’t just limited to food—cats might also jostle over litter boxes, cat trees, sleeping spots, and toys. Keeping these resources plentiful and well-spaced can go a long way in keeping the peace.

• Stress
  With all the lounging our feline family members do, we may not realize that cats can have stress too. Changes in the home such as new pets, new humans, renovation work, or moving to a new home or apartment, are all sources of stress for cats. Not having a sufficient number of litter boxes (one plus the number of cats), plus beds and toys, is also a source of stress, as is a litter box that’s not scooped regularly and not completely dumped and washed every 1 to 2 weeks.

Stress can look like not eating as much, urinating or defecating outside of the litter box, fighting between cats, overgrooming, and hiding more. If your cat is showing any signs of stress, they need to be seen by your veterinarian right away.

• Bowl Type
  Though some cats will eat (and drink) from a small, deep bowl without issue, other cats may prefer a more shallow, wider dish that doesn’t force them to put their face—and their whiskers, which are tactile hairs—deep into the bowl. It’s also nice to have a bowl that doesn’t slip on the floor, so try something that’s heavy enough to not budge or a bowl that is part of a feeding station. If you’re feeding dry food or plan to feed Smalls forthcoming freeze-dried line, an automatic feeder is also an option. If your cat is older, they may be more comfortable having a slightly elevated bowl or feeder. Many older cats develop arthritis, which isn’t just a hind end issue but can affect the shoulders, elbows, and spine. It often goes undiagnosed because of how well cats mask pain for survival purposes. Bowls that aren’t porous won’t retain odors, which is important because smells affect taste. Cats should be fed from clean bowls that are glass, ceramic, or metal. No plastic, please! Non-porous bowls are also more sanitary but they should still be washed daily. Water bowls should also be washed regularly because they develop a slimy film. If you’re feeding any sort of fresh or canned food, wash the bowl before each meal.

Improving palatability and tips for getting your cat to eat

Smalls is dedicated to providing species-specific food for cats that is complete and balanced and highly digestible. If your cat isn’t on a medically indicated diet, incorporating Smalls’ protein-rich foods into your cat’s diet can increase palatability. To make mealtime more satisfying for your cat, consider the following tips:

1. Don’t make sudden food changes. If you’re planning a change in food (and an abrupt change isn’t medically needed per your veterinarian), transition diets over 1 to 2 weeks where you gradually decrease the quantity of old food by 25% and gradually increase the new food by 25% every few days. You can even offer several different items at a time to see what your cat prefers.
2. If your cat eats dry food, consider a topper like Smalls fresh food or their Freeze-dried Puffs.
3. Don’t mix medication into your cat’s usual food. If your cat isn’t on a strict diet for a medical reason, e.g. food allergies, try adding medication to something new. Admittedly, this poses the challenge of introducing a new food.
4. Briefly warm up food or add warm water or warm garlic- and onion-free broth. If you warm wet food in the microwave, be sure to stir it because hot spots will develop and can burn your cat’s tongue.
5. If your cat is older, make sure their bowls are in easily accessible locations. Cats can have arthritis even though the signs can be subtle and mistaken as “just getting older”. If your cat is showing signs of “getting older”, have them examined by your veterinarian.
6. Try adding Smalls Freeze-dried Puffs to a pet food puzzle or interactive feeder. Cats are hunters and bowls are, well, boring. Though practical and necessary, bowls don’t offer any stimulation or interaction.