How to Increase a Cat's Appetite

If you're cat refuses to eat, it can be a symptom of a serious condition and you should consult a veterinarian. That being said, once the source of the poor appetite is identified, there are a number of ways to get your cat to eat.

Things You'll Need

  • Cat
  • Variety of cat foods (wet and dry)
  • Chicken
  • Tuna fish water (found in cans of tuna)
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Instructions

  1. Methods to Try

    • 1

      First, try offering your cat a variety of different foods. Try varieties of both wet and dry cat food, and leave them out so that your cat has different options. Sometimes, a cat will eat one food one day and only eat a different food the next.

    • 2

      Offer your cat a little food at a time, throughout the day. Instead of just leaving the food out, it might be helpful to offer small amounts, like spoonfuls, frequently throughout the day. If your cat eats the food, try offering a little more to see how much the cat can eat.

    • 3

      Warm the cat's food. This will increase the smell of the food and make it more appetizing to the cat. Microwave the food, but then make sure to stir it to remove hot spots and ensure a warm meal. Make sure not to overheat the food, however.

    • 4

      If your cat still will not eat, try feeding it people food. Although this is not the healthiest approach, it is much better than the cat eating nothing at all. Cooked chicken or fish is usually a good choice. Make sure not to feed your cat anything with onion or garlic.

    • 5

      Try adding some tuna water to the cat's food. By adding the water in which tuna is packed to your cat's normal food, it can often entice the cat to eat. Do not, however, feed the cat the actual tuna, and be sure to check the ingredients to make sure there are no additives in the water.