Is your cat refusing to touch wet food? Many cat owners face this exact problem. You buy canned food and your cat just walks away. Getting more moisture into your cat's diet is very important.
Cats are known for being stubborn about their meals. If they grew up only eating dry kibble, they might not know wet food is food. They get used to the hard texture of dry pieces.
Changing this habit takes time, but you can do it. If you want to learn more about general pet care, you can visit our pet care world blog for tips on keeping your animals happy. Let's look at how you can help your cat make this healthy food swap today.
Why Your Cat Resists Canned Food
Cats are creatures of habit. They like things to stay the same every single day. This includes their food bowl, their sleeping spots, and the texture of their meals.
If they only know dry kibble, wet food feels weird to them. The smell is different, the wet texture is strange, and the temperature is not what they expect.
Another big factor is how dry food is made. Animal food companies coat dry kibble in tasty fats to make it smell amazing to cats. Canned food has a different smell that might not be as strong to a cat who loves dry kibble.
Sometimes, hydration issues are the main reason owners want to make the switch. If your cat does not drink enough water, canned food is a great way to help.
If you want to know more about their drinking habits, read about Why Your Cat Ignores the Water Bowl and How to Fix It to keep them hydrated. This can help you understand your pet better.
Step 1: Set Up Regular Feeding Times
Many owners leave a big bowl of dry kibble out all day long. This is called free feeding. If your cat can eat whenever they want, they will never be hungry enough to try something new.
You need to stop free feeding before you start the transition. Switch your cat to set meal times instead. Feed them two or three times a day.
Leave the food bowl down for only twenty minutes, then take it away. Your cat will quickly learn that food is not always there. This builds up a healthy appetite, which makes them much more willing to try wet food.
Step 2: Start with the Smelly Trick
Cats choose their food based on smell. If they do not smell something they like, they will not even try to taste it. You can use this to your advantage.
Try warming up the wet food just a little bit. A few seconds in the microwave can make the food smell much stronger. Make sure the food is not too hot before you give it to your cat.
Stir it well to get rid of hot spots. You can also mix in a tiny bit of warm water or low sodium chicken broth. The warm liquid creates a nice gravy that most cats find hard to resist.
Step 3: Blend the Two Foods Together
Do not just put a bowl of wet food down and expect your cat to eat it. That rarely works for picky eaters. Instead, start by putting a tiny dab of wet food next to their normal dry food.
They do not have to eat it yet. They just need to get used to the smell being near their normal meal.
After a few days, start mixing a tiny amount of wet food directly into the dry kibble. We are talking about a teaspoon of wet food. Mix it well so the dry pieces are slightly coated.
If your cat eats it, you can slowly increase the wet food and decrease the dry food over two weeks. This slow change helps their stomach adjust to the new food.
Step 4: Use Tasty Toppers
If your cat still turns their nose up, you can add a topper. Sprinkle some crushed dry kibble right on top of the wet food. This tricks them into taking a bite.
Once they taste the dry kibble, they will get some of the wet food too. You can also use special treats as toppers.
Dried chicken or salmon flakes work great. Bonito flakes are another favorite for many cats. Put these treats on top of the wet food so your cat has to eat through the wet food to get to the treat.
Be Patient and Stay Consistent
Changing a cat's diet does not happen overnight. Some cats take days, while others might take weeks or even months.
Do not let your cat go without food for more than 24 hours. This can make them very sick. If they refuse to eat, give them their normal dry food and try again the next day.
Keep your stress levels low during meal times. Cats can feel your anxiety, and it might make them even more wary of the food bowl.
Treat it like a fun game. With time and patience, your kitty will learn to love their new wet food diet.