Reasons Why Cats Have Become Picky Eaters
Part 1: Reasons Why Cats Picky Eat
1. Overindulgence in Treats: Just like children, cats can develop a picky eating habit if they're given too many treats. This can lead to issues such as anorexia and malnutrition. While it's okay to occasionally offer your cat a treat, it's crucial to maintain a balance between their main meals and snacks.
2. Monotonous Diet: Cats can quickly lose interest in their food if they eat the same thing day after day, potentially leading to picky eating. To combat this, aside from feeding your cat regular cat food, consider introducing new flavors like boiled meat or freezedried treats.
3. Taste Fatigue: Once a cat gets accustomed to a particular food, they might show a preference for a new type of cat food, increasing their appetite temporarily. However, once they adapt to the new food, their appetite returns to normal. This can create the impression of picky eating.
4. Other Factors: Estrus, weather changes, or even a new location for the food bowl can affect a cat's appetite. It's important for owners to identify the root cause of their cat's pickiness to address the issue effectively.
Part 2: How to Correct a Cat's Picky Eating Habit
1. Health Check and Diet Plan: If your cat has been picky for a long time, it might be suffering from malnutrition. First, take your cat to the vet for a thorough health check to understand its nutritional needs. Based on this information, create a balanced diet plan.
2. Diversify the Diet: Cats can get bored with the same food, so in addition to their regular cat food, offer them nutritious treats like chicken or duck freezedried snacks.
3. Frequent, Smaller Meals: If your cat is particularly picky, try feeding it smaller, varied portions more frequently. This can help reduce its sense of fullness, making it less picky during mealtime.
Remember, even if your cat is picky, you should never starve it. Prolonged fasting can lead to serious health issues like fatty liver, pancreatitis, or kidney failure. It's always better to consult with a veterinarian if you have any concerns.
