The Correct Feeding Of Fussy And Sensitive Cats

Many cats are very sensitive when it comes to food. Find out here how to feed sensitive or fussy cats properly!

Every cat is different, including its eating habits. While one cat tastes food particularly well and tolerates it well, the other only sniff it briefly and leaves it. Other cats even react to certain types of food with health problems such as diarrhea or vomiting.

Get the Cat Used to Different Types of Food

There are many cats who have specific ideas about what they eat and only accept a few different types. The best way to counteract this is as early as kitten age: as soon as the kittens are fully accustomed to solid food, you should try out different types from time to time. Because in the so-called “socialization phase” the cats learn to accept different food.

If the cat later develops a food allergy or an illness that requires a change in diet, this is much easier than with a cat that has been fed the same food for years and has become fussy as a result.

Caution: Of course, you should not mix up the food types and brands wildly or change them too often and give the cat a different food every day. This puts a tremendous strain on the cat’s gastrointestinal system. Always transition to a new food slowly and gradually over a period of at least seven days.

Food Fussy Cats

In one second the cat is very excited and looking forward to its food, you put the food in front of it, it sniffs it briefly, and then ignore it – many cat owners are familiar with this scenario. This is annoying because wet food in particular often ends up in the trash if the cat doesn’t eat it soon. How to prevent food fussiness in cats:

• Don’t give your cat treats if she tends to forego her regular food.
• Avoid the cat having constant access to the food. So she can’t develop a real appetite.
• Feed the cat at fixed times and then leave the food for a maximum of two hours.
• Lukewarm food stimulates the appetite.
• Switch up the flavors a bit – eating the same thing over and over again gets boring!
• Often cats also want more attention from their owners, which they get by first begging for food and then not touching it. In such cases, you should pay more attention to your cat.

However, cats have different tastes too – there will always be food that your cat doesn’t like and will carelessly leave in the bowl.

If your cat stops eating or shows any symptoms of illness in addition to fussiness or changes in behavior, you should consult a veterinarian urgently.

Food Sensitive Cats

Many cats are health sensitive to certain types of food. The cat does like the food, but it doesn’t do it any good: Wet or dry food, chicken or beef – both the type of food and the ingredients can cause health problems for sensitive cats. These problems usually manifest themselves through symptoms such as:

• diarrhea/mushy stools
• Vomit
• gas
• bad breath
• depending on the cause also itching

Find Out the Cause of the Cat’s Sensitivity

If you notice that your cat is showing symptoms on a regular basis, you should consult a veterinarian before trying to find a new, well-tolerated food yourself. This is usually easy on the cat’s intestinal flora, your nerves, and your wallet because the search for the right food often involves a long odyssey through the world of cat food.

However, the veterinarian will examine the cat closely and first check whether it is suffering from an illness or worm infestation. If such causes for the symptoms are ruled out, it stands to reason that the cat’s gastrointestinal problems are really related to the food. The cause is then either a food allergy or food intolerance.

With the help of elimination and subsequent provocation diet, it can be determined which food component the cat is struggling with. The veterinarian will advise on the exact implementation of such a diet.

Which Food for Sensitive Cats?

It is important to only feed a veterinarian-prescribed hypoallergenic food. Commercial feed from the trade that advertises with the slogan “sensitive” is often limited to one protein and one carbohydrate source, although cross-contamination cannot be completely ruled out. That means: Even “sensitive food” can cause problems if there is no clarity about the cause of the food sensitivity. If you know exactly what the cat is reacting to, you can avoid the corresponding food.

7 Tips For Feeding Sensitive Cats

Finally, a few general tips and tricks for feeding sensitive cats:

• Avoid stress for your cat, because not only the wrong food can hit the stomach. Stress is a major factor when it comes to regular vomiting (including hairballs).
• Encourage your cat to eat slowly. Anti-snaking bowls and fiddling boards are suitable for this.
• If there is food envy in a multi-cat household, it is essential to feed them separately.
• Always serve fresh food in a clean bowl – this can also be a reason why the cat refuses the food or throws up afterward.
• Feed several small meals instead of a few large ones – this is easy on the cat’s stomach.
• Do not serve the food cold from the refrigerator, but always serve it at body temperature.
• Avoid many treats and pay attention to the ingredients in case of intolerance or allergies! Best to clarify with the veterinarian.