Help, mijn kat wil niet eten! Lees onze 7 tips.

Help, my cat won't eat! Read our 7 tips.

We all know it, picky cats are more the rule than the exception. Most cats turn their noses up at almost everything you offer them. It can sometimes be quite a challenge to find suitable food for your little house tiger and to get the animal to eat. In this blog, we give you some tips on how to make sure your cat (again) enjoys its food.

IMPORTANT: If your cat really refuses to eat, this can result in serious health problems (fatty liver disease). Therefore, make sure your cat eats something every day and never let the animal fast; if your cat has not eaten for more than 24 hours, contact the veterinarian.

Reasons why your cat is not eating

If your cat normally finishes its food bowl but suddenly leaves it untouched, there may be illness or pain. Keep a close eye on your little house tiger to see if he or she is eating anything. Also watch carefully for any of the following symptoms: lethargy, fever, excessive urination, or vomiting; these symptoms may indicate illness.

Another cause of not wanting to eat can be stress. Check if there have been any major changes at home. Think of a new housemate, moving the feeding place, or a new object in the house. To minimize the chance of stress, it is important to introduce major changes slowly. Let your house tiger get used to changes calmly.

Finally, your cat may simply show picky behavior. Unfortunately, this is more common in cats than we would like, and it can be quite a challenge to find good food.

Tip 1: Keep the food bowl clean

Cats are not only incredibly picky, they are also extremely hygienic. They do not like it when their litter box or food bowl is dirty. If your cat is given food from a bowl that is not clean, the animal may simply refuse to eat. For example, if bacteria remain in the food bowl, it will eventually start to smell. Cats naturally avoid food that smells rotten or no longer fresh. That is why they will always avoid a food bowl that smells bad. So make sure the food bowl is always clean.

Tip 2: Change the food bowl

Not only is keeping a food bowl clean important, but its size also plays a role in whether or not your cat wants to eat. If you have purchased a food bowl that is too small for your cat, its whiskers may touch the edge while eating. Many cats find this very annoying and may avoid the food for this reason. See what happens if you offer your cat food in a larger bowl or in a bowl with a low edge. Perhaps your cat will now want to eat if its whiskers no longer touch the edge.

 

Tip 3: Make the food wet or warm it up

Another tip is to moisten your cat's kibble with warm water. This way, the kibble will smell stronger, which often encourages eating more quickly. When you give your cat wet food, you can warm it slightly. This also helps the food smell stronger.

Tip 4: Change the flavor

If your cat really refuses to eat, try a different flavor. Sometimes a cat simply gets tired of a certain flavor. Changing the protein source can then stimulate eating.

Make sure to switch your cat gradually to the new flavor.

Tip 5: Change the diet, but gradually

If your cat still doesn't want to eat after changing the flavor, it may be that he no longer likes the food from the brand he is currently getting. In that case, you can choose to switch to another brand. When switching your cat to a different brand of food, do this gradually. Cats can sometimes have difficulty adjusting to new food. For these animals, taste, smell, and texture are very important. Switching suddenly to a different food can make your little house tiger turn up his nose at the food. Moreover, a sudden switch can cause stomach and intestinal issues. Therefore, switch gradually over about 9 days. This way, you give your cat time to get used to a new smell, taste, and texture.

You can only switch gradually when moving from one crunchy kibble to another crunchy kibble. When switching from fresh meat or a pressed kibble to a crunchy kibble, it's best to switch all at once.

Extra tip: with a XL Sample Pack you can gradually switch your cat to delicious and healthy Riverwood cat food.

Tip 6: Add something extra

You should save this tip for last. Once you've tried it, there's a good chance your cat won't want anything else! Look for a canned food or another ingredient, such as the water from a can of tuna or sardines, that your little house tiger really likes. Add a small amount of this food or ingredient to your cat's kibble. Et voilà, there's a good chance your pet will now happily finish their bowl.

In this case, a liquid or canned food works best. You can mix this through the kibble. If you add a dry ingredient to the kibble, your cat might still pick out the tastiest bits and leave the kibble behind…

Riverwood Caviar for Cats wet foods are ideal as a supplement alongside your cat's kibble. These wet foods for cats contain no less than 51% tuna fillet and are also topped with a delicious topping. We're sure your purring house tiger will love it!

Tip 7: Schedule a visit to the vet

Sometimes a medical issue can be the cause of your cat's behavior. If the animal doesn't feel well, the urge to eat is absent. Additionally, a cat may have dental problems. This causes pain while eating, making a cat leave its food untouched. If you suspect a medical cause is making your cat leave its food, schedule a visit to the vet to rule out any medical problems.

After reading these 7 tips, you know what to do. Start by assessing the food bowl; if you think there's nothing wrong with it, try heating the current food or give your cat a different flavor. If this still isn't successful, your cat may be bored with its current food, and we recommend trying a different food.
Many cats already enjoy Riverwood every day. Do you want your cat to enjoy our delicious kibble too and are curious which variant would suit your cat best? Answer some questions here and order a cost-effective trial pack right away.