Got a picky cat? If you do, you’re not alone. We know of one cat who refuses to eat her food if the kibbles are a different shape—circles are good, stars are bad. It’s not fun. But there are things you can do to encourage your kitten to be a curious eater.
Offer Many Textures and Flavors
Even if you have a particular cat food that you like to feed, offer kittens a variety of things to taste and try.
Feeding one food all the time may program your cat into thinking that it is the only diet choice. This can become problematic if that diet is discontinued, your store runs out, or your cat develops a problem that requires a diet change.
Variety packs of canned food are an easy way to expose your kitten to different flavors. Rotate flavors at each meal so your kitten is experiencing different tastes, and try out both paté and shredded or chunky formulas.
Note Preferences
That said, favorite foods are a great thing to have in your arsenal for times of stress, such as when traveling, or if your cat is sick and has a poor appetite.
Flavor is the obvious factor for kitty preferences, but texture matters, too. Some cats love the crunch of a big dental kibble, while others prefer soft canned food. Even with canned food, some prefer paté, while others opt for a nice shredded formula doused in gravy.
You want your cat’s daily meals to be something that he enjoys and eats willingly, but it can be beneficial to have something extra special stored away just in case you need it.
Mom’s Influence
Kittens learn a lot from their mothers. If your queen is a picky eater, it may be helpful to remove her from the litter when offering different foods to the kittens. This will allow the kittens to explore on their own rather than just following what Mom says is good to eat.
Benefits of a Mixed Diet
There are pros to both canned and dry cat food diets.
Canned foods have a higher moisture content and are often more palatable because of their higher protein content. Dry foods, on the other hand, help support dental health and are more convenient for feeding on the road or putting in puzzle toys to encourage your cat to be active.
Many veterinarians recommend feeding your cats and kittens a mix of dry and canned foods to maximize the benefits of each. This approach is helpful if your cat later develops a health condition that requires a specific diet.
You have a couple options for a mixed diet. You can offer your kittens wet food at some meals and dry food at others or mix them together. Some cats may enjoy having both options at meals, but in separate bowls.
You can also use the dry food portion of your cat’s daily ration for training or exercise. Kibble is perfect for loading into a puzzle toy to encourage active play and easy to toss to your cat as a reward.
