When I am owned by a cat that regularly eats with gusto, I thank the gods for rewarding me with a kitty that isn’t a picky eater. Two of my cats fit into that category, but when it comes to one of them there are times I have found this thankless task to be as challenging as climbing Mount Everest.
Our hall closet is filled to the brim with piles of cans of different cat foods that would appeal to even the most finicky cat. But those cans with the brilliantly shiny labels, which were so appealing to them on the first or second pass through, are now gathering dust. I tell you there is nothing as frustrating as having to deal with a cat that makes me get down on my knees and beg him to eat the food he once thought was nectar of the gods; but is now turning up his nose at it.
Of course there are other reasons for cats to refuse their favorite repast. A cat with a stuffed nose due to a cold or seasonal allergy can’t smell their food and consequently will not eat. There are many serious medical conditions that will put kitties off their food. And some cats who may require prescription diets may show their distain by planting their paws on the floor and look up at their guardians with disgust.
But today I am referring to healthy cats with appetites that are completely unpredictable. This kind of finicky behavior makes it nigh impossible for devoted kitty caretakers to logically be able to plan an acceptable menu; especially when the cats’ “rules” are constantly in flux. As far as I am concerned, although I simply adore Sir Hubble Pinkerton, our 15 ½ year old Oriental Shorthair kitty; his flip-flop attitude toward cat food generally drives me to tears out of frustration.
For example: We recently visited a local pet supermarket and purchased several different cans of a variety of brands and flavors to make sure he liked them before I ordered some cartons. He loved them and polished off every can with dispatch. He was even purring while he was eating so I went online and ordered a few cartons. But my happy dance soon was turned to a solemn dirge after the food arrived and Sir Hubble refused every one of them. He is such a fickle feline.
At first I thought he might be under the weather and wasn’t hungry. To rule out that possibility I offered him some roast chicken and roast beef. That clever kitty nearly took my fingers off while he was grabbing those tempting morsels out of my hand.
He has now learned that when I offer him a brand of cat food he refuses; one that he once thoroughly enjoyed, to appease me he takes a few perfunctory nibbles, gives me that “look” and hurries to the refrigerator planting himself in front of the door, expecting that I will dole out the “good stuff”.
Unfortunately he is right. We all know that since a cat has gotta eat we are often tempted to make those “exceptions” to the rule. And since I am very concerned about his health and maintaining his weight, he has trained me very well. But there goes more cans of cat food down the drain.
I wouldn’t mind it so much since the other cats would inherit food that Sir Hubble refuses, but right now Aki, our 6 month-old kitten needs a special diet, so hand-me-downs are impossible right now. But get this one; Sir Hubble thinks that Aki’s food is the cat’s pajamas and he can’t have it!
How do you handle feeding- time frustrations? Tell us about it with a comment.
I so understand, Jo.
When there are serious health issues that affect eating/survival, I will give anything to them that they will eat.
The same is true for any seniors 12 years and over- whatever they want. They earned it.
Aki eats like a horse! He is a very easy feeder. He likes just about everyhing and we will be transitioning him to raw in a few weeks – very slowly- since he is still recovering from a tummy problem and is on a special food to help calm it down. Sir Hubble has pancreatitis, kidney disease and IBD/possible Lymphoma so his appetite waxes and wanes. I will feed him JUST about anything he wants to eat as long as he is eating. He gets roast chicken, roast beef and I try to entice him to eat any cat food he will eat. His weight also waxes and wanes but we want to keep him at 9 lbs. He is getting subQ fluids, and an assortment of medications to help him- and to alleviate any inflammation in his gut. So while I am not thrilled with his diet- we do the best we can to keep him eating! It is a very difficult and delicate process.
Michael, I have had several Siamese. They still loved the Science Diet. That’s actually when I began using Science Diet. My Lilac (who passed July 15, 2015 at 15 yrs) was not a finicky eater — or any of the other Siamese I had. Lilac’s big thing was BBQ potato chips — she LOVED them!! — go figure. . . LOL!! I had her, and her sister (Porschia) and Porschia’s daughter — a CH Special needs kitty. They have all gone to RB. None were finicky eaters. I currently have one polydactyl who has all the physical traits of an Oriental, but he is not finicky either. . he has 24 toes!! ♥♥♥
My cat Gabriel is a good eater. I can’t say he is fussy. He like mice – a lot…. 😉 and he eats them very fast.
He also likes high quality wet food – the best I can buy – and Royal Canin Dental for nighttime grazing. I also give him lactose free milk.
That’s it. I think this fussiness with eating is primarily a character trait. Some cats are and some cats are not. Most are not that fussy in my opinion.