Tips on Getting Your Cat to Eat

Cat owners are very familiar with the "fussy-eater" syndrome that most cats have. Many worry that their cat will become malnourished or just be constantly hungry all the time. There are several reasons why cats will not eat what's put before them. Here are a few tips on how to get your "fussy-eater" to try their food.

If your cat just suddenly refuses to eat or gets fussy about what you are feeding, then it could be there is a health problem that you know nothing about. It is best to have your pet checked out by a veterinarian just in case illness is the cause.

One way to try and get your cat to eat is to warm the food to body temperature. Warmth makes the food have a stronger smell making it more appetizing. If the food is dry, warm it in the oven for a few minutes on low heat. If it's wet food, a few seconds in the microwave should do the trick.

Another thing you can do to encourage an appetite is to mix a tasty canned food with your cat's usual food. Also, mixing a little of canned tuna, salmon or sardines would work just as well. The smell of fish drives cats wild.

A recommendation by veterinarians on this subject is to clean your cats' nose to improve its smelling abilities. It may not be able to smell the food enough to get a good appetite going. Smell is half the joy of eating for cats.

Take up your cats' food after about ten minutes. If they don't eat any food in that amount of time, take up the bowl. Animals are more likely to eat if they think food is in short supply and only available to him at certain brief times.

It helps some cats to eat from your hand to start off the meal. Many times they will continue to eat after that voluntarily. Also, place the food in a quiet, traffic-free area of the house or yard as sometimes there are too many distractions for them with more nervous cats.

Feed smaller meals several times a day when your pet asks for it. A small amount of food is sufficient for most cats. This will help overfeeding problems and will stop your cat from looking for food in other places. Obesity in cats is very common, so it's best to monitor their feedings if at all possible. All natural pet foods seem to be a key to getting your cat to eat better. They generally love the taste and smell. Also, treats now and then help keep your cat interested in food. Treats that contain some sort of fish is recommended.