How to get my cat to eat more

Establishing a routine is the first step to nip fussy eating in the bud. Stick to a feeding plan of meals at set times of day rather than allowing free-feeding, as this can help to establish routine around meal-times.

Chopping and changing how, when and what you feed your cat can be disruptive, and cause them to turn down their dinner.

If you have a multi-cat household make sure there are enough food bowls for each cat to have their own, and space them apart so they don’t feel there is competition to eat. Even the friendliest of felines can feel stressed about sharing a food bowl with other cats.

Cats gain essential amino acids from their diet, and lack of these can lead to severe health issues even within a couple of days. They can also develop a liver condition known as hepatic lipidosis, and overweight cats are particularly at risk from this.

When cats feel poorly, they stop eating. When they stop eating, they feel worse and are even less likely to eat. This is a vicious cycle that needs to be stopped as soon as possible if a cat is to heal.

The first step in the process is determining why a cat is no longer eating. Sometimes you can figure this out by remembering that most cats hate change. Anything different in the home could be responsible. Visitors, new pets, different foods, a new cat bowls, an altered schedule, a different feeding location — you name it and it might be to blame. As much as is possible, return your cat’s diet and environment back to what is “normal” for him or her and see what happens.

If this doesn’t work or you are noticing other worrisome symptoms, it is time for a check-up with your veterinarian. Virtually every disease that cats can get has the potential to turn them off their food.

The fix may be straightforward. For example, a cat with dental disease will usually start eating again once doing so isn’t painful anymore. Sometimes, however, we need to encourage a cat to eat while we figure out what is wrong or wait for treatment to take effect.

While I have just said that cats hate change, it is possible to get them to eat by tempting them into trying something new so long as that something is darn near irresistible (from a cat’s point of view). Try buying a few types of canned food (pate-style, flaked, etc.) in different flavors. Place some on a small plate and warm it slightly. If your cat shows no interest, try adding a little fish oil, chicken broth, tuna juice, or cooked egg.

Check out this video for another idea. Those wiggling things are bonito flakes — thin shavings of tuna — that move when placed on top of warm, soft cat food. I think a cat would have to feel really awful not to be intrigued by that!

Make feeding time a social and pleasant experience. Take your cat to a quiet part of your home, ideally with a diffuser emitting feline facial hormone, a natural signal to cats that everything is “okay.” Try hand feeding him or put a small amount of pate-style food on your finger and touch it to his lips. Pet your cat and praise him. If your cat is willing, try dribbling a thin slurry of cat food into his mouth using a syringe. Do not force the issue, however. Force-feeding is stressful for cats and potentially dangerous for you.

If none of these tricks are successful and you still can't get your cat to eat, your veterinarian may prescribe an appetite stimulant (e.g., mirtazapine or cyproheptadine) or even recommend placement of a feeding tube. While owners sometimes balk at the thought of a feeding tube, most who have agreed to the procedure are thrilled with the results. Feeding tubes make giving cats all the food, water, and medications they need incredibly simple.

One of the biggest mistakes owners make is waiting too long to make a veterinary appointment for a cat that has stopped eating. The adverse effects of poor nutrition start within just a few days, and the longer you wait the harder it will be to get your cat eating again.

Dr. Jennifer Coates

Image: v777999 / Shutterstock

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Cats are finicky creatures, and they may go off food when they are sick or getting older, for instance. If your cat suddenly stops eating, you should definitely take it to the vet for a checkup, as it may have an underlying problem. Otherwise, you can work on the cat, environment, and food to encourage your cat to eat, as well as use a few tricks when switching foods.

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Feed the cat alone. If there are other animals in the house, the cat may feel uncomfortable eating, as it tries to compete for food. If you section off a room where you can feed just that cat, it can increase the chances of the cat eating.[1] X Research source Go to source
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Give smaller meals. Smaller meals throughout the day may seem counter-intuitive, but it can actually encourage your cat to eat. If your cat doesn't have a large appetite, it may be overwhelmed by a large bowl of food.[2] X Research source Go to source
3
Offer comfort and attention. Some cats want attention when they're eating. Try stroking your cat and talking soothingly to it while it's eating. You can also try a bit of petting if your cat is near the bowl but not eating. This tactic won't work with every cat, though, so if your cat seems disturbed by the attention, leave it alone.[3] X Research source Go to source
4

Wipe the cat's nose. If the cat has been sick, it may not be smelling very well. Wiping the cat's nose and trying to remove discharge may help it smell better. In turn, it may be more interested in food because it can smell it.[4] X Research source Go to source
5
Hand feed the cat. A cat who hasn't been interested in food may be more inclined to eat if you hand feed it. For canned food, you can put a little on your finger and offer it to the cat. For dry food, place a bit in your hand, and hold it out for the cat to eat.[5] X Research source Go to source

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Warm up the food. Another way to encourage a finicky cat to eat is by heating up the food just a bit. Even kibble will benefit from this treatment. You don't want it too hot to eat, but a little bit of warmth will help release the scent of the food, which makes a cat more receptive to the idea of eating the food.[6] X Research source Go to source
2
Try canned food. If your cat has been on dry food and has seemed reluctant to eat, switching to canned food may help. Canned food releases more scent, encouraging your cat to eat.[7] X Research source Go to source
- If you mainly want to stick with dry food, you can add a little wet food to the dry to encourage your cat to eat it.
3
Add a little tuna water on top. If your cat isn't wanting to eat, increasing the good smells of the food may help. Pour a little water from a can of tuna packed in water (not oil) on top of the food. Most cats will be more than happy to eat anything doused in tuna water.[8] X Research source Go to source
- You can also try clam juice or even Parmesan cheese.[9] X Research source Go to source
4
Offer baby food. If you can't get a cat to eat at all, particularly a sick cat, you can try baby food for a time. Stick to all-meat products, as cats cannot have foods like garlic or onions. You can offer the cat a little on a spoon or your finger to get it started.[10] X Research source Go to source

1
Mix the new with the old. Start by adding just a little bit of the new food to the old food. As days go by, gradually increase the new food and decrease the old food until eventually you're just feeding the new food.
- Switching foods may also help a finicky cat eat more, if it doesn't like the old food.
2
Keep offering the new food. You can't just withhold the old food until the cat eats the new food, as that can be very dangerous for a cat. Instead, offer the new food for 30 minutes. If the cat doesn't eat it, give the cat a small amount of the old food instead. Remove the food when the cat walks away. If you practice this method a couple of times a day, your cat will usually take to the new food in a couple of days.[11] X Research source Go to source
- When cats don't eat, they can develop a problem with their liver, which can lead to death.[12] X Research source Go to source
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Be consistent when possible. For the most part, cats like routine. If your cat is happy with a food, try to stick with it, as changing can be difficult. If you're bringing home a new cat, it's a good idea to ask what food they've been on at the shelter, so you know what it's accustomed to.[13] X Research source Go to source

This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. This article has been viewed 74,412 times.

Co-authors: 19

Updated: October 25, 2021

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Categories: Feeding Cats