Picky eater

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airhoodz

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Hello!

I've recently started the transition from dry free feeding to timed wet feeding. I've realized I have a picky cat on my hands.

I've been feeding Weruva/Tiki cats and found that my cat will pretty much only eat Tilapia and things with Mackerel in it. Ahi tuna / Chicken in gravy etc. and he will smell it and ignore it. I'm still leaving kibble out from 2pm until 8pm while I'm at work and overnight so I'm not sure if he just isn't hungry enough yet but he's definitely choosing what he eats. He even chose dry science diet over chicken in gravy from weruva.

Any tips? Is a diet of Mackeral and Tilapia okay as long as he's getting calories? He's still getting used to wet so I'm not ready to pull dry yet and he's only 7-8 months old.
 
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There are some concerns with feeding a primarily fish based diet. A couple are outlined in the below article. There are also concerns about how addictive fish foods can be. In addition, fish is not the most species appropriate food. I would keep trying to introduce new foods, using what you know he likes as a topper if needed. Also, if you are still leaving out kibble every day he may continue to wait for that instead of eating the wet food.
http://www.thecatsite.com/a/can-i-feed-my-cat-a-fish-based-or-fish-flavored-diet
 
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airhoodz

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He ate some chicken and duck today, and based on that article Weruva and Tiki Cats should be fine, I'm definitely going to continue working on getting him into beef / chicken too! Should I try mixing tilapia in? He loves the stuff. Doesn't care for tuna but he literally jumps up and down when he smells tilapia is so funny!
 
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airhoodz

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Anyone else have tips on picky eaters?
 
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airhoodz said:
Anyone else have tips on picky eaters?
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I would suggest going to the pet store and get a single can of  several different  brands in your price range and do a taste test .. 

My cats are super picky . I have tried many different brands ,  So far they will only eat Fancy Feast .. 
 
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I'm reading this with interest; 3 VERY picky cats.  I have donated 6 cases of cat food in the last month, never mind several bags of dry.

They've even turned their nose up at at fancy feasts *shaking head*
 
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airhoodz

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wallycats said:
 
I'm reading this with interest; 3 VERY picky cats.  I have donated 6 cases of cat food in the last month, never mind several bags of dry.

They've even turned their nose up at at fancy feasts *shaking head*
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I'm finding out how difficult it is. I'm going to start branching out. He will ONLY eat fish from Weruva right now(admittedly I haven't tried a lot of other brands). I'm just trying to feed him some of the best! I guess I'll have to try some others and find out what he likes. Just worried about stuff with peas/greenery in it, but I guess wet is still better than dry regardless.
 
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I have the worlds pickiest cat, she will eat innova cat and kitten, merrick duck or chicken pate, natural balance ultra, natures variety instinct rabbit, wellness Core chicken not regular wellness and weruva, cats in the kitchen, soulistic, tru lux (all 4 same company) and tiki cat, some are not all grain free, but I alternate because of price. They are all high quality foods. Yes she will also eat Fancy feast classic chopped grill or liver and chicken. I only buy 1 can of each if she won't eat it my boy cat gets it (he eats everything). If she likes it I never buy more than 3 cans, in case she changes her mind. I also change her food so she does not repeat for one week. This prevents boredom and fussy behavior. Also good protection in case of recall.
 
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airhoodz

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bonepicker said:
I have the worlds pickiest cat, she will eat innova cat and kitten, merrick duck or chicken pate, natural balance ultra, natures variety instinct rabbit, wellness Core chicken not regular wellness and weruva, cats in the kitchen, soulistic, tru lux (all 4 same company) and tiki cat, some are not all grain free, but I alternate because of price. They are all high quality foods. Yes she will also eat Fancy feast classic chopped grill or liver and chicken. I only buy 1 can of each if she won't eat it my boy cat gets it (he eats everything). If she likes it I never buy more than 3 cans, in case she changes her mind. I also change her food so she does not repeat for one week. This prevents boredom and fussy behavior. Also good protection in case of recall.
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I'm starting to think I might need to rotate similarly. I've been giving him new foods that he's never had before and he will smell it, and simply walk away if it doesn't smell good. I've tried crushing treats on top, mixing in the Mackeral and stuff he likes, or topping it. He literally will pick at it with his paws and claws until he picks out what he wants. It's kind of impressive.
 
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airhoodz said:
I'm starting to think I might need to rotate similarly. I've been giving him new foods that he's never had before and he will smell it, and simply walk away if it doesn't smell good. I've tried crushing treats on top, mixing in the Mackeral and stuff he likes, or topping it. He literally will pick at it with his paws and claws until he picks out what he wants. It's kind of impressive.
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I only offer dry as a small occasional treat for them. Like kids if you let them choose between broccoli and French fries you know what they eat. The medical bills later on due to dry food are not worth it.
 
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airhoodz

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bonepicker said:
I only offer dry as a small occasional treat for them. Like kids if you let them choose between broccoli and French fries you know what they eat. The medical bills later on due to dry food are not worth it.
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Yeah, I'm going to try some lower quality wet and see if he goes for it. I guess I'll just find what he likes. I've read anyways that the Weruva fish should be fine, as a lot of it has multiple fish in it and it's high quality so it should have the added ingredients needed. I'll just keep trying! He's eating some wet, so that's a start.

I think I should ween him off more dry too, as he's been given it when I'm not home so he can eat as he's still a kitten, so I want to make sure he's eating enough. He's getting really good with timed meals at least.
 
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airhoodz said:
Anyone else have tips on picky eaters?
Click to expand...
I have 2 very picky eaters also. They both like Nutro Natural Choice minced and sliced varieties, Pride by Instinct lamb, duck and chicken and Weruva Cats in the Kitchen chicken frick a zee.

Lilith loves Wellness Divine Duos, that may be her favorite. She also likes Wellness and Natural Balance pouches.

Sophie loves Soulistic from Petco- the chicken and the chicken with pumpkin varieties (possibly her favorite). She also likes the Pride by Instinct rabbit (her sister does not)

I found all of this out by doing just as @2Cats4Me suggested and buying a little of a few kinds and having them taste it. I have a list for both of the girls with what they will and will not eat on it. The list of won't eat is longer for both. They have both turned their noes up at pates with the exception of Lily's fave, the Wellness Divine Duos because of the topper. I have also found that mixing something they have previously turned their noses up at (especially the Nature's Variety Instinct) with the Nutro Natural Choice, they will eat it. You can often find the NNC at Petsmart for .79 or .89 and my store has a box by the display that gives you 2 free cans if you buy 16. Good luck. Many of us feel your pain.
 
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Kat0121 said:
 
I have 2 very picky eaters also. They both like Nutro Natural Choice minced and sliced varieties, Pride by Instinct lamb, duck and chicken and Weruva Cats in the Kitchen chicken frick a zee.

Lilith loves Wellness Divine Duos, that may be her favorite. She also likes Wellness and Natural Balance pouches.

Sophie loves Soulistic from Petco- the chicken and the chicken with pumpkin varieties (possibly her favorite). She also likes the Pride by Instinct rabbit (her sister does not)

I found all of this out by doing just as @2Cats4Me suggested and buying a little of a few kinds and having them taste it. I have a list for both of the girls with what they will and will not eat on it. The list of won't eat is longer for both. They have both turned their noes up at pates with the exception of Lily's fave, the Wellness Divine Duos because of the topper. I have also found that mixing something they have previously turned their noses up at (especially the Nature's Variety Instinct) with the Nutro Natural Choice, they will eat it. You can often find the NNC at Petsmart for .79 or .89 and my store has a box by the display that gives you 2 free cans if you buy 16. Good luck. Many of us feel your pain.
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It definitely is painful! Thanks though, it's good to know it's not just me. It stresses me out that he isn't eating enough or is unhappy. But he's a little purr machine, and very snuggly. I just want him to eat and enjoy it and be healthy! If only he understood English haha!
 
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