What do you feed a picky cat?

Question

Especially an old (19yrs), fussy cat.

Wow! I forgot cat folks can be so helpful. (Thanks!) I shoulda given y'all more details.

Cat 1 (19yrs), hyperT managed with meds, crf advanced, appetite comes & goes, last blood test 4 wks ago. T level solid. BUT has the flukey appetite.
Cat 2 (18yrs), crf less advanced, was diabetic & on insulin but reversed. (Amazing & true! Who knew?) Still being cautious re carbs, tho. Eats well.

Formerly not finicky; daily dry & wet. Last 2 yrs exclusively wet (renal diet kibs for 18yr old as occasional comfort food). But "food fatigue" on the canned food seems to set in, despite efforts to strike balance betwn faves & variety. So the search for additional foods goes on. :

Currently: Fancy feast (non gluten varieties); California Natural; Wellness; Solid Gold Tuna; they don't like Nutro/MaxCat; onion-free baby food (meats) when jump starting the elder's appetite. And the foods which I can never remember -- was it paws up? or paws down? (Some days it makes my brain hurt.)

Answer 1

For an older cat, nutrition is especially important. So many things can go wrong with geriatric cats. The most common problem with older picky cats is tooth decay. if you are feeding her dry food, it may hurt her to chew. If this might be the problem, canned wet food which doesn't have to be chewed would certainly benefit her. Choose one formulated for senior cats such as science diet senior. Also, a vet would be able to help alleviate the constant pain she must be experiencing for the tooth decay.
If her teeth are fine, she may have just grown tired of her food. Imagine eating nothing but hamburgers for 20 years! Go ahead and switch brands. The one I like is Innova Evo. My cat, and all the other cats who I've recommended it to, have loved it. It's hard to find, however. You can find retailers on their website.
No matter what brand you are considering, make sure you read the label. Just like humans, cats have a certain amount of proteins, vitamins and minerals they need to be healthy. Unlike humans, however, they need protein more than any other food. They are obligate carnivores - in the wild they eat ONLY meat. Most commercial cat foods contain TONS of starches in the form of corn, wheat, barley, and rice as fillers because they are cheaper than meat. Choose a food with low starches and good quality proteins. Meat by-products are just as unhealthy for them as they are for us. As a bonus, they will produce less waste, eat less, be more healthy, and enjoy what they are eating more when you choose a good quality food. Good Luck!

Answer 2

for picky cats, get fancy feast is one good type of cat food that comes in many different dishes. Fancy Feast is not an expensive cat food.

consumer reports also voted that Natural Balance Ultra Formula is the best cat food of '06. this brand of cat food is formulated with cranberry powder to promote urinary tract health, and it doesn't have any preservatives or artificial colors. This cat food is a dollar per can, but it is worth it- they even have hair ball control formula!

Keep your cat on wet food 65% of the time- Experts say that since wet foods have a high percentage if water, it will keep your cat hydrated. that is an especially good thing for an older cat like yours.

Answer 3

My 22 yr old cat eats a raw meat diet that I prepare with a supplement powder. She has eaten this since I rescued her seven years ago.

She just had her teeth cleaned last month. That's important for an older cat. Your cat could have some problems in her mouth that make eating painful for her.

How are her kidneys doing? Doesn't sound like she has a thryoid problem. Could she be anemic? Older kitties need to be checked out by their vet. Old age is not a disease and many conditions can be treated to get your kitty eating again.

I don't think your cat is being picky. She just may need some treatment for a medical condition you are not aware of.

Answer 4

Hill's Prescription Diet A/D usually does the trick. You buy it at the veterinarian's.

Or straight tuna fish from the can.

And honestly, Fancy Feast sometimes works really well, too.

Answer 5

Put some cat food in a dish and set it on the floor. When the cat gets hungry enough it will eat. I dont tolerate fussy picky cats or dogs. They eat what they are fed.

Answer 6

Wet food, mostly beef flavor or something from a Vet's office.
They have special food for older cats. Try holding your aging
kitty and hand feed it. I don't me handle the food but use a plastic spoon and put a little at a time and let her lick it off.

Answer 7

Dang! Kitty's lived a long, happy life, huh?:) That's always good to hear. Has he/she stopped eating entirely? Because if so, it might be a sign that the end is coming. I don't want to be the bearer of bad news, but it's a possibility. Unless he/she has always been a fussy eater.

Answer 8

You must have been feedding it for 19 years, what does it like?

Answer 9

Fancy Feast .. THEY LOVE IT!

Answer 10

tuna? or maybe caviar?