Encouraging Your Cat to Eat More Food

http://Photo by Felice Wölke on Unsplash

Some cats can be picky eaters, or have a reduced appetite associated with health issues or age. However there are many ways we can encourage them to eat more food, in order to maintain a good body weight and meet their nutritional needs. Below are some helpful tips to encourage your cat to eat more.

Offer Small, Frequent Meals

Serve smaller portions frequently throughout the day. Cats do not naturally eat a large amount at once, and would rather have small frequent meals. You may need to offer 3-6 fresh meals throughout the day, or more in some cases. Remember that food that is left out for a few hours (eg a bowl of dry food) may not be as appealing as a fresh offering. 

Try a Variety of Foods

Experiment with different flavors and textures (wet, dry, pâté, chunks or licky treats). Many cats prefer flavours and odours, such as seafood or chicken. Introduce new foods gradually to avoid stomach upset. Avoid human foods, some of which can be toxic or cause gut upsets. 

Warm the Food

Slightly warming wet food in the microwave (about 10-15 seconds) may help to enhance its aroma. Always check the temperature before serving to avoid burns. Some cats may prefer chilled or room temperature food, so try a few options and see what works best for your cat.

Location Matters

Place food bowls in quiet, low-traffic areas where your cat feels safe. Avoid placing bowls near a litter box, or a noisy washing machine, or any other items that might discourage your cat from their meal. 

Clean Food Bowls Regularly

Wash food bowls daily to prevent odors and bacteria buildup. Use dish soap and rinse well. Use separate bowls for food and water to keep them fresh. Try a few different bowls; some cats prefer shallow bowls, or ceramic bowls compared to plastic or metal.

Offer company or privacy 

Some cats like to be patted or hand fed, while others prefer to be left alone while eating. If you have other pets, your cat may feel intimidated by other cats or dogs being nearby while they are eating. It may be best to keep them in a separate room for meal times so that they can eat in peace. 

Don’t force it 

Never force feed or syringe feed your cat. This can cause significant stress and worsen food aversion. It can also cause the cat to aspirate food, resulting in life threatening complications. 

Medications

In some cases we may prescribe medications to  help with nausea or to stimulate appetite. Please speak to your vet about this if you feel your cat may benefit from some extra help to meet their nutritional needs. 

Please keep an eye on your cat’s eating habits and let us know if you notice any changes. An increase or decrease in appetite could indicate a health issue. If poor appetite or weight loss persists despite an appropriate feeding routine at home, further investigation should be considered. 

If you have any concerns about your cat, please don’t hesitate to contact us at the clinic. We’re here to help!

This post was written by our clinic’s Dr Grace Woodward.