Many caregivers opt for feed to feed their cats, as it is an economical alternative that is easy to manage and store. In addition, there are brands that offer high quality feed, so that we are sure that we are covering the nutritional needs of our feline and, therefore, contributing to maintaining their quality of life. But, for different reasons, there are cats, whether they are kittens or adults, who refuse to eat the feed, which can be very worrying and disconcerting for their caregivers.
In the following article on our site, in collaboration with KOME, we examine why your cat doesn't want to eat dry food, the causes and what to do to get him to eat.
Why doesn't my kitten want to eat dry food?
First of all, you have to know that kittens are mammalian animals that, as such, are going to feed on breast milk at least during their first weeks of life. Around the month we can begin to present them with the solid food that we want them to consume in the future, starting the weaning period. During this transition stage it shouldn't surprise us that kittens reject food. In these cases, it is common to see that your cat does not eat feed, only wet food. This is normal, since the feed is hard and more difficult to chew and swallow. That is why it is understandable that it is much more attractive and easier for them to opt for wet or canned food, as well as for homemade foods, given that their much softer texture facilitates these first intakes.
To encourage a kitten to eat dry food it is a good idea to soak it in warm water so that it softens and its texture becomes more like the one on the can. In addition, warm food gives off a scent that will make it more attractive to the little one. On the other hand, keep in mind that kittens can take a while to give up milk and go exclusively to solid food. This is normal and each cat needs its time, but we should contact the vet if it stops eating completely or we detect any clinical signs such as lethargy, vomiting or weight loss.
Why doesn't my adult cat eat dry food?
When the cat is already an adult we can also see ourselves in the situation where he rejects the feed. Logically, it will no longer be due to a weaning problem. In this case, let's see below the main causes:
he is used to another food
Cats are animals very attached to their routines, which includes eating only the foods they know. This means that a cat used to homemade food or canned food is likely to not accept the feed or, at least, take some time to adapt.
The new feed is of poor quality
In other cases it may happen that you have changed your cat's food and it does not eat. As we pointed out, the novelty will influence him, but it may also be that the feed is not attractive to him because of its quality or because it is less tasty. This usually happens when a cat is sick and the feed must be changed for another diet.
If you consider that the reason why your cat does not want to eat feed is that the new one is not of good quality, the solution lies in acquiring a food that does meet the animal's nutritional needs. In this sense, KOME cat food is made with 100% natural ingredients, without GMOs or artificial additives. As for its composition, it stands out for containing a high percentage of protein of animal origin. Specifically, it has 30% hydrolyzed chicken. This factor is very important because cats are carnivorous animals, so they require that the main ingredient of the feed be quality meat or fish.
He is sick
On the other hand, if your cat doesn't want dry food, it could also be because he has a disease There are numerous pathologies that can be They start with a loss of appetite, in addition to clinical signs that will depend on which one is involved. For example, there may be vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, cough, fever, etc. In younger cats, especially if they are not vaccinated, the possibility of infectious diseases such as panleukopenia or rhinotracheitis must always be kept in mind. Older cats, on the other hand, are more likely to be affected by chronic or degenerative diseases such as kidney failure or osteoarthritis.
You have an oral problem or a digestive disorder
In addition, any oral problem, such as gingivostomatitis, can cause painand make the cat stop eating, not because he doesn't want, but because you can't. Another possible cause is digestive disorders such as the dreaded hairballs In addition, a stressed cat, for example when it is in heat, or when it is very hot, can stop eating. Any suspicion of a physical or psychological problem should make us go to the vet.
There is too much in the bowl
Finally, it is important that we control the amount of food that we give our cat to know if he really does not eat, he eats less than he should or leaves in the feeder because we are exceeding therecommended amount for it. Keepers often find it difficult to see their fat cats, which means that, sometimes, it is not that the cat does not want to eat feed, but that it does not need the quantities in which it is supplied.
How to make my cat eat dry food?
According to everything we have explained, the first thing we must determine is if the cat does not eat because he is sick or because he simply rejects the feed we offer him. In the first case, a visit to the veterinarian is mandatory. In the second, we can resort to the following measures:
- Choose a quality feed It must contain meat or fish as the main ingredient, since the cat is a carnivorous animal. In the event that our cat has to eat, due to illness, some specific feed and rejects it, we must consult the vet about what options we have.
- Offer a wide bowl, one that does not rub against the cat's whiskers and place it in a quiet place, away from water and the litter box.
- Introduce the new food little by little Not all cats eat a bowl of new food straight away. Nor is it advisable to do so, since a sudden change in diet could lead to digestive disorders such as loose stools or diarrhea.
- The change of feed should be done gradually, over several days. As a guide, we will first give 75% of the old food along with 25% of the new. In a couple of days, we will go to 50% and, after another two, approximately, we will be giving 75% of the new food for another two days until we make the complete change. For more details, don't miss this other article: “How to change a cat's food?”.
- Sometimes the problem is the texture, which happens in baby kittens, but also in adult cats with poor appetite or mouth problems. In these cases we can add warm water or, if the vet allows it, some broth to get a soft food. Heating it is also a good option to enhance its aroma and make it more attractive to the cat.
- Although it is common to mix the feed with wet food or homemade food so that the cat accepts it better, the truth is that they have different digestion times, which could cause gastrointestinal problems.
