Overcoming Feline Aversion to Raw Food: Solutions Insid
When it comes to their dietary preferences, cats are quite picky compared to dogs. This pickiness stems from their innate wariness, which leads them to believe that only the food their mothers fed them as kittens is safe. A cat that has been raised on kitten food may find it challenging to accept other types of food later in life—unless, of course, it's a stray cat that has experienced extreme hunger. Similarly, a cat that has grown up on a raw food diet may also struggle to adapt to commercial cat food.
Therefore, if you're just starting out with a young kitten, it's best to expose them to a variety of foods early on, including raw, cooked, and commercial cat food. A broader diet in their early stages makes it easier for them to accept new types of food as they grow up.
For adult cats that have been raised on cat food, patience is key. Follow these steps to gradually introduce them to healthier options:
Start by mixing a small amount of minced raw meat into their regular cat food, allowing the cat to decide whether to eat it. It's okay if they don't, as the main goal is to get them accustomed to the smell of raw meat.
Place a tiny amount of minced raw meat in the palm of your hand, cover it with a bit of cat food, and gently offer it to the cat's mouth. Since the meat is covered by cat food and is right at their lips, the cat is less likely to notice the raw meat and may inadvertently consume some when eating the cat food. This step helps the cat to start experimenting with the texture of raw meat.
Gradually reduce the amount of cat food in each meal and increase the amount of raw meat.
Finally, replace one meal entirely with raw meat. However, be cautious when doing this: first, start with a small amount of raw meat; second, only feed the cat when it's very hungry. For instance, if you usually feed your cat three meals a day, you might offer a mix of cat food and raw meat for breakfast, skip lunch, and then serve a full raw meat meal for dinner.
If your cat refuses to eat the full raw meat meal or only eats a little and leaves, immediately remove the remaining food and put it in the refrigerator. Bring it out for the next meal (heated with warm water to room temperature) until the cat finishes it. This is crucial. If you switch back to cat food because your cat won't eat the meat, they may start to use "refusal" as a way to get their favorite food.
After feeding a particular type of raw food (like chicken breast) for a while, you can introduce a second variety, such as beef, using the same method.
If your cat won't eat raw meat but can tolerate cooked meat, the process can be a bit simpler. You can blanch the meat in water to achieve a state where it's cooked on the outside but still raw inside. Then, gradually introduce fully raw food.
Once your cat starts to accept raw food, you can start to cut the meat into larger pieces, allowing them to rip it apart themselves. This not only helps clean their teeth but also adds to the enjoyment of their meal.
In summary, raw food can be incredibly beneficial for a cat's health. As a pet owner, don't give up easily if your cat is hesitant. Allow them to adapt to new foods at their own pace.
