Why Are Cats Picky Eaters? Common Causes and Solutions for Fussy Felines

Updated: 8/10/20262-4 minutes

Cats are often perceived to be picky about their food, so if you’re thinking “my cat is a picky eater,” you are not alone.

Some of these habits may be rooted in the diets of their ancient ancestors, which enjoyed a surprisingly varied diet but one that required hunting and pouncing; they also consumed frequent small meals.^1,2 As we’ve domesticated cats, we’ve not always accounted for these inherited preferences, which can lead to fussy cat behaviors.^1-3

Medical Reasons for Loss of Appetite

When you think about how to make a picky cat eat, you first need to ensure that there aren’t any medical reasons for why your cat isn’t eating. A few days of not eating in an ill cat can quickly spiral into something serious.

There are many medical reasons cats may stop eating. A few common ones include:

If your cat won’t eat dry food, they could have dental disease or another other medical condition related to their mouth or teeth. Visit your veterinarian to rule out a medical issue.

When to Seek Veterinary Care

A day or two of fussy eating in a healthy cat picky about food may not be cause for alarm, but if your cat hasn’t eaten for more than 24–36 hours, seek veterinary attention. Prolonged anorexia can have serious consequences, especially for kittens and cats with chronic illnesses.

However, if your cat is exhibiting any other signs of illness, such as sneezing, coughing, lethargy, vomiting, or diarrhea, don’t wait; call your veterinarian immediately for guidance.

If your cat won’t eat, your veterinarian has ways to help manage your cat. They can advise on what they would recommend for your individual cat.

The Feline Palate: Understanding Cat Taste Preferences

You may have gotten here because you searched “my cat is picky with food” or “my cat is picky with wet food.” If this is the case, you should know that many cats do tend to be particular regarding:

Wet or dry. Cats are more likely to prefer dry food over wet food; however, a variety of factors may contribute to a cat’s preference for specific types of food.
Mouth feel, texture, shape, and size. It’s not just about canned or kibble. The size and shape of a kibble or whether a wet food has chunks or is smooth (pâté-style) can make or break a specific food for particular cats.
Taste. The flavor of a food can also make a difference in whether a cat will eat a food. Some cats will only eat one flavor.
Smell. The aroma of a product combined with the taste contributes to the overall flavor cats experience.

So are cats picky eaters? The answer is clearly not that simple.

Common Reasons Why Cats Become Picky Eaters

If your cat doesn’t dive right into their food or used to enthusiastically dig in but is now hesitant, you may be wondering “Why are cats finicky eaters?” or “Why is my cat suddenly picky with food?” There is a difference between a finicky cat and one that stops eating. If you’ve ruled out medical reasons with your veterinarian, here are a few common nonmedical reasons that might seem to make a cat picky about food:

Strong food preferences. Even small changes (like a different flavor of the same food) can decrease appetite, although many cats will accept new foods if introduced carefully.
Disrupted feeding patterns. Moving food bowls, changing food brands, a new family member and even rearranging the furniture can all cause cats to become stressed, which may affect their eating habits.
Food is old or spoiled. Cleaning food bowls, puzzles, and toys daily can help prevent this issue.

The bottom line? You want to be sure your cat is getting enough food. (Regularly monitoring your cat’s body weight to make sure they aren’t losing weight is important.) If your cat is a fussy eater, you think they’re just being a finicky cat, or if they’re losing weight, talk with your veterinarian. Some cats that seem disinterested in food may not actually be picky. It could be your cat’s personality, but it could be about the food (or something else that’s making your cat stressed or anxious).

How to Manage Picky Eating

So how to get a picky cat to gain weight? Cats may have periods of low appetite. If your cat needs to gain weight but is a picky eater, here are some strategies you can try to encourage your cat to eat:¹

Warm food to room temperature or slightly warmer.
Try a different cat food.
Try a food topper.
Consider food puzzles to make mealtime fun and mentally stimulating.
Hand-feed your cat.

One way to tell if your cat likes a food is if they lip-lick after being offered a taste. On the other hand, cats that flick their tails, groom, flick their ears or lick their nose without tasting the food are letting you know they’re not happy with what’s on the menu!^1,3

Choosing the Right Cat Food for Picky Eaters

While there are many different forms and varieties of diets to appeal to cats that are picky eaters, there is no one specific diet option that all picky cats will like. However, understanding what type of food your cat likes can help you decide which food your cat might accept. The good news is that Purina has plenty of delicious options to satisfy your cat’s preferences and needs.

Another trick is to try a diet formulated for cats with sensitive stomachs. Look for Purina formulas designed for sensitive stomachs.

Sometimes a therapeutic diet is the best choice if your cat is a picky eater because of an underlying health problem. Your veterinarian can prescribe an appropriate diet for your individual cat.

Get More Personalized Pet Care with the myPurina App

Make pet care even more rewarding with the myPurina app. Create a pet profile, get personalized food recommendations, and use our new chatbot, Ask Allie, for helpful pet care guidance when you need it. You can also explore Happi, an exclusive dog and cat enrichment program for myPurina users that offers bite-sized activities designed to help make quality time with your pet more meaningful. Plus, earn Purina Rewards points on eligible purchases from your favorite Purina brands. Download the app to access savings, offers and rewards designed for you and your pet.

For more expert tips on cat feeding, explore our other cat feeding guide articles.

References

1. Delgado M, Dantas LMS. Feeding cats for optimal mental and behavioral well-being. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2020;50(5):939-953.

2. Zaghini G, Giacomo B. Nutritional peculiarities and diet palatability in the cat. Vet Res Comm. 2005;29(suppl 2):39-44.

3. Savolainen S, Telkänranta H, Junnila J, et al. A novel set of behavioural indicators for measuring perception of food by cats. Vet J. 2016;216:53-58.