Cats Picky Eating: Common Causes & Solutions
There's another potential reason that could be at play: the cat bowl might not be suitable, making it difficult for your feline friend to reach their food.
Cats generally prefer bowls with shallow sides, as deeper bowls can be cumbersome for them to eat from. It's important to choose a bowl that fits your cat's body and head shape.
Leaving cat food out for too long can also lead to picky eating habits.
Over time, the natural aroma of the cat food fades, and since cats have a highly sensitive sense of smell, they may refuse to eat when they detect a lack of flavor.
If none of these reasons seem to apply, perhaps it's time to consider whether you've been washing your cat's bowl properly.
Not cleaning the bowl promptly after feeding can allow bacteria to multiply and lead to spoilage, which may cause your cat to avoid eating.
Lastly, another reason could be that your cat simply doesn't like the current cat food.
Cats have varying preferences; some may favor seafood, while others might prefer chicken. If you haven't found the right food, your cat might treat the food in the bowl like sand, and in such cases, you might want to try a highprotein cat food alternative.
What are the signs of feline pickiness?
Picky eating in cats is often characterized by a reluctance to eat cat food, preferring snacks, canned food, or meat instead.
When a cat becomes severely picky, they may go days without eating cat food, leading to potential nutritional deficiencies and resulting in symptoms like weakness.
Cats that are particularly picky may refuse to eat the food their owner provides.
If your cat is unwilling to eat the food you offer, it could be due to a lack of variety in the ingredients. In such cases, switching to a more appealing cat food might help.
Cats that only eat their favorite treats, such as cat sticks or canned food, can be a sign of pickiness.
If your cat loses interest in their usual favorite snacks, it's important to be vigilant. This might not be a simple case of pickiness but could indicate an underlying health issue.
Cats that eat carelessly, playing while they eat, or stopping midmeal, might need a quieter feeding environment. Avoid distracting them with toys or loud noises, and ensure they have a peaceful space to enjoy their meal.
Longterm picky eating can have negative consequences, such as malnutrition, anemia, low blood sugar, and a weakened immune system.
So, to keep your cat healthy, it's essential to encourage them to eat like a construction excavator – with big, hearty meals!
