What to do with a
Finicky Cat
by Laurie Buckley
In theory, no cat owner should
have a finicky cat - as most cats, if they are hungry enough will eat
whatever is put in front of them. But as every cat owner knows, cats can be
notoriously finicky and if a cat won't eat, it doesn't necessarily mean that
it is sick.
If your cat is finicky, there
may be other reasons than the actual food. A cat may actually have trouble
eating from a bowl that is too small or too light. And some cats don't like
where their food bowl is placed - try simply changing its location.
If you have other cats or pets,
a finicky cat may be intimidated by other animals. A cat may find it
difficult to eat from a bowl placed near a dog's bed, near a noisy appliance
or near a busy area of the house. Many dogs will instinctively try to eat
cat food when it is placed down.
And consider how long a bowl of
cat food has been left out - food left out overnight or in hot weather may
be unappetizing to your cat. And cats - even indoor cats - tend to eat less
in warm weather.
If you are changing the type of
food your cat eats, one effective method is to gradually mix in the new food
with the old over a period of several days. On the first day, the serving
should consist of ¾ old food and ¼ new food, on the nest day ½ and ½ and so
on, until it consists of entirely new food.
If your cat's diet consists of
mostly dry cat food, try giving it a treat of canned cat food occasionally,
or add a little broth to its food. Some older cats or cats with sore gums or
teeth can find dry food difficult to chew.
Variety really is the spice of
life - even for cats. A finicky cat may simply just be bored if it is eating
the same flavor of food all the time. To prevent your cat from becoming a
finicky eater, try to vary the flavors and varieties of food - ideally,
starting when your cat is a kitten.
About the Author
Laurie Buckley is a long time
pet lover and owner. Find more articles and resources about cats at
http://www.4yourcatshealth.com
