1 Picky, 1 Not

Hi! I know people have different opinions on wet and dry, but I have 2 cats, Esme & Shumba, who have totally different diet preferences.

Esme, my older cat, who we have had for about 6 months is EXTREMELY picky. We went on a crazy wet food hunt to find something she wouldn't turn her nose up to. We finally got her to munch on Fussie Cat, but even after a while, she was not trying to have it, unless it was fish. So, in the mean time, I started her on Before Grain - Chicken (dry). She seems to chow down on this stuff much more than wet. I am not too concerned though because she drinks LOTS of water (she even will sneak into my cups of water over hers if I'm not looking).

Shumba, however, is totally different. We have had him for about 3 weeks and is 4yr young. He will eat pretty much anything you will put down. Wet mostly. He, is not the biggest on drinking water so I would prefer to give him wet. He seemed to really take to Weruva and/or Fussie Cat, but will graze on the dry.

So, my concern is this, with the dry, he only takes a few nibbles and for her, with the wet, she might take a few nibbles. We typically leave the food down for about 45min to give them some time to eat.

Do you have cats who have totally different diet preferences? If so, what do you do? Also, do you feed them in separate rooms (close off with a door?)?

Thanks!
Confused

Forgot to add: For Esme, if it looks anything like typical wet cat food (like one big blob or mush), then she WILL not touch it. It has to look real, or well, be real.

For Esme, have you tried Before Grain or Simply Nourish wet foods? Or what about the new Wellness 3oz chunk cans? I know it can be tough when a cat doesn't really look at wet as food, but when you find something she likes, keep looking! Cats can get worn out of a food if they have it too many times in a row, which is what it sounds like happened with her and the Fussie Cat. Also try leaving it down for a little bit more as it sounds like if she doesn't try a nibble when you put it down you give up and throw it away. You have to be more stubborn than the cat to win any wars.

If you can afford to, I would feed Shumba wet entirely. He already is taken with it and cutting out the dry will ensure he doesn't ever accidentally become addicted to dry and will almost entirely prevent him from become obese or diabetic later on in life.


Most likely what happened is Esme was fed the same food her entire life; and it was probably dry. And being a cat, that makes her very resistive to change. Shumba must have had it better with an owner who changed his food frequently.

Originally Posted by Minka

For Esme, have you tried Before Grain or Simply Nourish wet foods? Or what about the new Wellness 3oz chunk cans? I know it can be tough when a cat doesn't really look at wet as food, but when you find something she likes, keep looking! Cats can get worn out of a food if they have it too many times in a row, which is what it sounds like happened with her and the Fussie Cat. Also try leaving it down for a little bit more as it sounds like if she doesn't try a nibble when you put it down you give up and throw it away. You have to be more stubborn than the cat to win any wars.

If you can afford to, I would feed Shumba wet entirely. He already is taken with it and cutting out the dry will ensure he doesn't ever accidentally become addicted to dry and will almost entirely prevent him from become obese or diabetic later on in life.


Most likely what happened is Esme was fed the same food her entire life; and it was probably dry. And being a cat, that makes her very resistive to change. Shumba must have had it better with an owner who changed his food frequently.

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Thanks for the feedback! We have tried numerous foods with her (and we leave them out for a good while and won't put dry down, but she won't budge. I ran to the store today though and jus grabbed a few cans of Blue Spa Select until I can get some more Weruva for Shumba. I'm going to see how she reacts to wet because I would really like for them to be on an all wet diet. But at a minimum, I'm happy she is atleast eating Before Grain dry, which is much better than the Iams she was being fed by a previous owner. Even though the shelther didn't have much on either cat, I know they were fed something, a little too well, bc they were both hefty (which is why they are both on slimming diets).

Dag nabbit.. read more on Blue Spa Select and it has grains.. I was in a rush and scanned ingredients super fast.. Considering I've had them on grain free diets, would these few cans be ok? Or should I consider returning? Oops.. looks like I will be making a trip in the AM to go get more Weruva. Just stinks because the closest store is 20min!

Originally Posted by PrincessEsme

Dag nabbit.. read more on Blue Spa Select and it has grains..

I was in a rush and scanned ingredients super fast.. Considering I've had them on grain free diets, would these few cans be ok? Or should I consider returning? Oops.. looks like I will be making a trip in the AM to go get more Weruva. Just stinks because the closest store is 20min!

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I wouldn't worry about it.
While the less grains you feed the better, the same can be said for carbs in general. So unless you are feeding a 95% food, you could always go back and return for a better one.
My point is: the grain is not a by-product, but a whole grain, so while not a needed ingredient, it's at least a premium one. I would go ahead and let them eat it.

Thanks! I get a little panicky when it comes to them.

It's alright, I did at first too.
You have to pick and choose your battles. Decide what is and isn't important to you.
For me, first thing I look at is the protein. If it's not over 43% I put it back on the shelf. Then I examine the ingredients, making sure to avoid by-products, wheat gluten, soy and corn. Dyes, grains and added flavors I don't like but I will accept if the protein is high and the other ingredients make me happy.
If you try and avoid Everything you will drive yourself nuts. Trust me. xD

Originally Posted by Minka

It's alright, I did at first too.
You have to pick and choose your battles. Decide what is and isn't important to you.
For me, first thing I look at is the protein. If it's not over 43% I put it back on the shelf. Then I examine the ingredients, making sure to avoid by-products, wheat gluten, soy and corn. Dyes, grains and added flavors I don't like but I will accept if the protein is high and the other ingredients make me happy.
If you try and avoid Everything you will drive yourself nuts. Trust me. xD

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great advice,