How to Entice a Cat to Eat

Cats can be quite picky eaters. As a caring cat owner, at times, you may find yourself wondering why your cat suddenly no longer likes its food. While it is best to have your veterinarian rule out first any health problems, there are options you have at home to convince your finicky cat that food can be interesting again.

Things You'll Need

  • Fish or chicken
  • Microwave
  • Chicken broth
  • Tuna or sardines
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Instructions

    • 1

      Try to make your kitchen smell great. You can accomplish this by boiling some fish or chicken and making your kitchen become saturated with these lip-smacking smells. Watch your cat sniff the air and get hungry. Of course, you may add a bit of boneless chicken or boneless fish to your cat's regular food as an added bonus.

    • 2

      Try warming up your cat's canned food in the microwave for a few seconds. Make sure it is warm but not hot, and stir well to prevent any ''hot spots." Cats enjoy warmed foods because enticing aromas are released and because they resemble what in nature cats where meant to eat: warm prey.

    • 3

      Add a little bit of warm chicken broth to the cat's kibble, which accomplishes two things: It helps release aromas, making the food much more palatable; and it softens the food, making it more acceptable to cats with ongoing dental problems.

    • 4

      Add a bit of the oil or water that tuna or sardines come packed in with your cat's food, or if you wish, offer some tuna chunks or sardine fillets. However, do not make this an everyday habit; cats still need meat and a fish-only diet does not provide all the nutrients a cat requires.

    • 5

      Change the cat's food. You may need to rotate between a variety of cat foods routinely. As frustrating as this can be, it is ultimately better than having a cat starve for days and risk a condition cats are prone to get called "fatty liver disease."