My Cat is a Picky Eater: How to Get Them to Eat

Some cats eat anything you offer. Others sniff their food, walk away, and meow for something better.

Picky eating is extremely common in cats. Understanding why cats are picky and how to work with their preferences makes mealtime easier.

Here is how to deal with a picky eater, when to worry, and what foods even the fussiest cats usually accept.

Why Cats Are Picky Eaters

They Have Fewer Taste Buds

Cats have only 470 taste buds compared to humans who have 9,000. Dogs have 1,700.

This means cats:

Cannot taste sweetness (no sweet receptors)
Rely heavily on smell, not taste
Reject food that does not smell appealing

If food does not smell good to a cat, they will not eat it - even if it tastes fine.

They Are Neophobic (Fear of New Things)

Cats evolved as solitary hunters. In the wild, eating unfamiliar food can be dangerous (poisonous, spoiled, contaminated).

Cats instinctively:

Prefer familiar foods
Reject new foods initially
Take time to accept changes

This is survival instinct, not stubbornness.

They Prefer Fresh Food

Cats evolved eating freshly killed prey that is:

Warm (body temperature)
Fresh (just killed)
Strongly scented

Food that has been sitting out for hours:

Loses its smell
Dries out
Becomes room temperature

Stale food = unappetizing to cats.

They Get Bored

Eating the exact same food every single day is boring. Some cats refuse food out of boredom, not actual pickiness.

Cats benefit from:

Rotating proteins (chicken, turkey, fish, beef)
Different textures (pate, chunks, shredded)
Occasional treats or toppers

They Are Sensitive to Texture

Cats have texture preferences. Some love pate. Others only eat chunks in gravy. Some refuse anything but mousse.

Texture matters more to cats than flavor.

Medical Issues Can Cause Picky Eating

Sometimes “picky eating” is actually a medical problem:

Dental pain:

Broken teeth
Gum disease
Tooth resorption (painful)

Cats with dental pain:

Refuse dry food but eat wet food
Drop food while eating
Chew on one side

Nausea:

Kidney disease
Pancreatitis
Inflammatory bowel disease

Cats feeling nauseous avoid food or eat tiny amounts.

Digestive issues:

Food allergies
Sensitive stomach
Inflammatory bowel disease

Cats associate certain foods with feeling sick and refuse them.

Smell loss:

Upper respiratory infections
Old age

Cats who cannot smell their food will not eat it.

If your cat suddenly stops eating or changes eating habits dramatically, see a vet immediately. Cats can develop life-threatening liver disease (hepatic lipidosis) if they do not eat for 2-3 days.

How to Get Picky Cats to Eat

1. Warm Up the Food

Heating food releases more smell, making it more appealing.

How to warm food:

Microwave wet food for 10-15 seconds
Stir thoroughly to avoid hot spots
Test temperature before serving (should feel warm, not hot)

Cats prefer food at body temperature (around 100°F / 38°C), which mimics freshly killed prey.

Never serve hot food. It can burn your cat’s mouth and create negative food associations.

2. Offer Fresh Food Multiple Times Daily

Do not leave food out all day. Instead:

Feed small portions 2-3 times daily
Remove uneaten food after 20-30 minutes
Wash the bowl between feedings

Fresh food smells better. Picky cats respond dramatically to freshness.

3. Add Toppers and Mix-Ins

Make boring food more appealing:

Bonito flakes (dried fish flakes):

Strong fishy smell
Crunchy texture
Sprinkle on top of food

Freeze-dried meat toppers:

Pure protein
Strong smell
Crumble over food

Low-sodium chicken or bone broth:

Adds moisture and flavor
Makes dry food more appealing
Helps with hydration

Churu (lickable treats):

Mix into wet food
Creates irresistible smell
Works like gravy

Nutritional yeast:

Savory umami flavor
Adds B vitamins
Sprinkle lightly

Start with small amounts and increase gradually.

4. Rotate Proteins

Feed chicken one week, salmon the next, turkey after that.

Variety prevents:

Boredom
Food fixations (cats refusing all but one food)
Nutritional imbalances

Warning: Some cats have sensitive stomachs. Rotate slowly:

Week 1: 75% old food, 25% new food
Week 2: 50% old food, 50% new food
Week 3: 25% old food, 75% new food
Week 4: 100% new food

Sudden changes cause diarrhea and vomiting.

5. Try Different Textures

Cats have strong texture preferences:

Pate (smooth):

No chunks
Uniform consistency
Good for cats with dental issues

Chunks in gravy:

Chunky pieces
Lots of liquid
Good for hydration

Shredded:

Pulled-apart texture
Mimics prey
Some cats prefer this

Mousse:

Extremely smooth
Airy texture
Good for picky eaters

Experiment to find what your cat prefers. Some cats refuse pate but love chunks. Others are the opposite.

6. Change the Bowl

Cats can be particular about bowls:

Avoid:

Plastic bowls (can cause chin acne, hold odors)
Deep narrow bowls (whisker fatigue)
Bowls near walls (cats like open views)

Use:

Stainless steel or ceramic bowls
Wide shallow bowls (whiskers do not touch sides)
Bowls placed away from walls

Some cats refuse food simply because they dislike the bowl.

7. Move the Food Bowl

Cats avoid eating:

Near litter boxes (too close to “bathroom”)
In high-traffic areas (feel vulnerable while eating)
Next to water bowls (some cats prefer separation)

Try moving the bowl to:

Quiet corners
Away from litter boxes (at least 6 feet)
Away from loud appliances

8. Hand Feed or Use Puzzle Feeders

Some cats eat better when:

Hand fed:

You hold food and offer it
Creates bonding experience
Encourages eating

Puzzle feeders:

Makes eating fun
Engages hunting instinct
Slows down fast eaters

Try both to see what works.

9. Reduce Stress

Stress reduces appetite. Reduce stress by:

Feeding in quiet areas
Keeping feeding times consistent
Minimizing household changes
Providing hiding spots

Multi-cat households: Feed cats separately to reduce competition stress.

10. Use Appetite Stimulants (Vet-Prescribed)

If nothing else works, vets can prescribe:

Mirtazapine:

Increases appetite
Short-term use
Side effect: increased affection

Maropitant (Cerenia):

Anti-nausea medication
Helps cats feel like eating

Only use medications under veterinary guidance.

Foods Picky Cats Usually Like

Churu (Inaba Lickable Treats)

Almost every cat loves Churu. It is extremely palatable.

Not a full meal, but great for:

Mixing into regular food
Topping wet food
Emergency feeding (getting sick cats to eat)

Fancy Feast

Fancy Feast is affordable, but cats love it. The smell is strong and the texture is appealing.

Not the healthiest option (higher carbs), but better than not eating.

Best varieties for picky eaters:

Fancy Feast Classic Pate
Fancy Feast Creamy Delights

Tiki Cat

Premium wet food with strong fish smell and chunky texture.

Picky cats often accept it immediately.

Best varieties:

Tiki Cat After Dark (high protein)
Tiki Cat Velvet Mousse (smooth texture)

Weruva

High-quality wet food with whole meat chunks and lots of gravy.

Best varieties:

Weruva Cats in the Kitchen
Weruva BFF (Best Feline Friend)

Wellness CORE

Grain-free, high-protein wet food.

Best varieties:

Wellness CORE Pate
Wellness CORE Chunky

Baby Food (Plain Meat)

Plain chicken or turkey baby food (no onion, no garlic).

Use for:

Emergency feeding (sick cats)
Mixing into regular food
Transitioning to new food

Choose plain meat varieties only. Avoid vegetable mixes or seasoned varieties.

Freeze-Dried Raw Food

Rehydrate with warm water.

Brands:

Stella & Chewy’s
Primal
Instinct Raw Boost

Strong smell, natural texture. Picky cats usually love it.

What NOT to Do

Do Not Free Feed

Leaving food out all day makes cats picky. They:

Expect fresh food constantly
Refuse food that has been sitting out
Lose interest in meals

Instead: Feed scheduled meals (2-3 times daily).

Do Not Give In to Begging

If you give your cat treats or different food every time they refuse their meal, you teach them:

Refusing food = getting better food
Begging works

Instead: Offer food, remove after 20-30 minutes, try again at the next meal.

Do Not Switch Food Too Often

Constantly changing food creates picky eaters. Cats learn:

If I refuse this, I get something better
I do not need to eat this because new food is coming

Instead: Rotate every 2-4 weeks, not daily.

Do Not Panic After One Missed Meal

Cats sometimes skip meals. This is normal if:

They ate a large meal earlier
Weather is very hot
They are stressed from a vet visit

Worry if:

Cat does not eat for 24 hours
Cat acts lethargic
Cat vomits or has diarrhea

Do Not Force Feed (Unless Vet-Instructed)

Forcing food creates negative associations. Cats will:

Fear mealtime
Refuse food more stubbornly
Lose trust

Only force feed if your vet specifically instructs you to (for medical reasons).

When to See a Vet

See a vet immediately if:

Cat has not eaten for 24 hours
Cat is losing weight rapidly
Cat vomits repeatedly
Cat has diarrhea
Cat is lethargic or hiding
Cat suddenly changes eating habits

Cats can develop hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease) if they do not eat for 2-3 days. This is life-threatening and requires immediate veterinary care.

Special Situations

Senior Cats

Older cats become pickier because:

Declining sense of smell
Dental issues
Reduced appetite

Solutions:

Warm food (releases more smell)
Soft food (easier to chew)
Smaller frequent meals
Strong-smelling foods (fish-based)

Kittens

Kittens are usually not picky, but if they refuse food:

They may be overwhelmed by too many options
Food pieces may be too large
They may prefer wet food over dry

Kittens need to eat every 4-6 hours. If a kitten refuses food for 8+ hours, see a vet immediately.

Cats on Medications

Some medications reduce appetite:

Antibiotics
Pain medications
Chemotherapy

Work with your vet to:

Adjust medication timing
Use appetite stimulants
Find highly palatable foods

Final Tips

Best overall strategy: Warm wet food, add a topper, feed in a quiet location, remove after 20-30 minutes

Best food for extremely picky cats: Tiki Cat After Dark or Weruva BFF (high palatability)

Best topper for picky cats: Churu lickable treats mixed into food

Best texture for picky cats: Try mousse or pate first (easiest to eat)

Best bowl for picky cats: Wide shallow stainless steel bowl

What To Do Next

Rule out medical issues (see a vet if eating habits suddenly changed)
Try warming wet food before serving
Add a topper (bonito flakes, Churu, broth)
Experiment with different textures (pate, chunks, mousse)
Feed in a quiet area away from litter boxes
Offer scheduled meals (not free feeding)
Be patient - it may take weeks to find what your cat loves

Baby Food

Plain chicken or turkey baby food (no onion or garlic) works as a meal topper.

Cats find it irresistible.

What Not to Do

Do Not Free-Feed

Leaving food out all day makes picky eating worse.

Cats eat when hungry. Set meal times. Pick up uneaten food after 30 minutes.

Do Not Give In to Begging

If your cat refuses food and you immediately offer something better, you are training them to be picky.

Stick to meal times. They will eat when hungry.

Do Not Panic

Healthy adult cats can go 24-48 hours without eating (not ideal, but not dangerous).

Kittens, senior cats, and diabetic cats need food more urgently. Call a vet if they skip multiple meals.

When to See a Vet

Picky eating is frustrating but usually not serious.

Call a vet if your cat:

Has not eaten in 24+ hours
Is losing weight
Vomits after eating
Has bad breath or drools (dental pain)
Is lethargic or hiding

These are signs of medical issues, not just pickiness.

Common Mistakes

Switching Foods Too Fast

Sudden food changes upset stomachs. Transition slowly over 7-10 days.

Mix new food with old food, gradually increasing the new food ratio.

Offering Too Many Options

If you offer 10 different foods, your cat learns to wait for their favorite.

Offer 2-3 options max. Stick to a routine.

Using Only Dry Food

Dry food has less smell. Picky cats prefer wet food.

Add wet food to their diet.

What To Do Next

Warm up wet food before serving
Add bonito flakes or toppers to make food more appealing
Set meal times instead of free-feeding
Try different proteins and textures
See a vet if your cat stops eating entirely
Check out our guide on transitioning cat food for tips on switching foods