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Some cats become super finicky, especially as they get older. Just this week I had two different people tell me their cat will only eat one type of food. One brand, one flavor. Unfortunately, the food these cats like is either hard to source or is being discontinued by the manufacturer. Now their owners are in a panic! What do you do if your cat’s one favorite food is no longer available?
The first thing I recommend is ruling out any underlying health condition. Secondly, determine your cat’s preferences.
Based on the answers to these questions here’s what I recommend doing next.
In an interview with Dr. Karen Becker, DVM, Dr. Joseph Bartges of the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, was asked about cats who get “stuck” eating one thing.
It can be tricky because cats are cats,” says Dr. Bartges. “Mix the old and the new food together if possible, so that they can’t pick it out. If you don’t mix them well, cats are really good at picking out the old food and not touching the new. You can try adding a little water, which makes the foods easier to mix together. Or add chicken, beef, or turkey bone broth. If they’re used to a chicken-based food, try using chicken broth to give the new food the flavor of chicken.”
He also suggested that having them hunt for their food or using interactive toys and puzzle toys can also motivate them. “Keeping them active and tapping into their hunting instinct can get them motivated to try something new,” he explains. This can help keep them engaged and motivated to try new things.
If your cat still refuses to eat anything besides the “favorite,” there are still other things to consider.
If your cat is “stuck” on a single food it’s time to explore the underlying causes. Every protein has a different nutrient profile; therefore, providing a variety of foods gives them a broader range of vitamins, minerals and nutrients their bodies need. It also helps reduce the likelihood of developing food sensitivities, too.
Dr. Bartges was asked about the importance of nutritional diversity when feeding cats in his interview with Dr. Becker.
“I think it’s really important…There’s not a lot of scientific data to back it up but I think it’s important for them to eat a variety of foods. I think it does a couple of things. You want variety in textures, and you want variety in flavors. Cats tend to be good at getting locked into a food. And then if you need to change the food, it becomes a real headache or impossible.
By giving them a variety of things, again, it accomplishes two things. One is it gives them familiarity with lots of different textures. It’s a mix of textures of commercially available canned and dry foods, as well as treats, plus homemade treats and foods.
The other advantage of a variety of foods is if, for example, there is a cat food, a group of foods, or a specific ingredient that has been recalled for some reason, when we offer a variety of foods, it dilutes that potential adverse effect down.
Need help with your cat’s picky palette? An Optimal Cat Health Analysis utilizes muscle testing to identify and address stressors in the body as well as customized, holistic recommendations to improve your cat’s health and wellbeing.
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