What can I do to get a cat we just adopted to eat?

misty8723

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 16, 2006
Messages
7,688
Purraise
8,129
Location
North Carolina
We adopted Cricket on Saturday. She has a history of being difficult when it comes to eating. When she first went to the shelter, it was about a two week struggle to get her to eat.  So far the only thing I can really interest her in is Fancy Feast broths.  She's also eaten some baby food, and some canned chicken, a few treats of various kinds, and one or two kibbles.  I'm getting worried because I know none of that is good nutrition for her, but everything I offer, she's refused.  I've tried several kinds of canned food, both pate and gravy, and about 5 or 6 different kind of kibble. The shelter recommended we try junk food kibble like Friskies or Meow Mix, so I've tried that, and Fancy Feast, and even Swanie's prescription food.  Any recommendations / suggestions?  She's not scared and hiding. Right now she's wandering around down here exploring everything.
 

lisahe

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 23, 2014
Messages
6,150
Purraise
4,969
Location
Maine
Did you try canned Friskies pates? The shelter where we adopted our two cats sent us home with a care package of what the cats had been eating: some kibble mix and a couple cans each of Friskies pates. And they did eat it, despite being kibble addicts. They didn't eat a lot in their first days, though, which I think is fairly typical after a shelter.

If not Friskies, I'd probably try something like Soulistic Autumn Bounty pouches or maybe even some of Weruva's BFF packages, if you don't mind feeding tuna. Those seem to be popular with picky cats.

Good luck, I hope Cricket eats more soon!
 

2cats4me

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 5, 2014
Messages
2,046
Purraise
211
 
We adopted Cricket on Saturday. She has a history of being difficult when it comes to eating. When she first went to the shelter, it was about a two week struggle to get her to eat.  So far the only thing I can really interest her in is Fancy Feast broths.  She's also eaten some baby food, and some canned chicken, a few treats of various kinds, and one or two kibbles.  I'm getting worried because I know none of that is good nutrition for her, but everything I offer, she's refused.  I've tried several kinds of canned food, both pate and gravy, and about 5 or 6 different kind of kibble. The shelter recommended we try junk food kibble like Friskies or Meow Mix, so I've tried that, and Fancy Feast, and even Swanie's prescription food.  Any recommendations / suggestions?  She's not scared and hiding. Right now she's wandering around down here exploring everything.
I am sorry you are having a difficult time getting your kitty to eat properly .  Maybe you could try a freeze dried food like Primal or Stella & Chewys  You just crumble them and add a little water . If she likes it you could also crumble it and use as a topper on wet food you want her to try  ... Also try Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers it that does not work .  

My cat are super picky too and do not like much of anything ..
 
Last edited:

jewelnn

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Jan 28, 2015
Messages
2
Purraise
1
Do you think that while wandering outside she can get something to eat? Is she hungry at meal time?
 

chwx

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Jan 10, 2014
Messages
167
Purraise
35
I'd try Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers or Fancy Feast Tender Turkey. (Kitten formula but it's pretty addictive to the cats I've used it on!) Or maybe try mixing the FF broths that you know she likes with some other food?
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #7

misty8723

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 16, 2006
Messages
7,688
Purraise
8,129
Location
North Carolina
Thanks all, I've tried the other Fancy Feast stuff, and other gravy foods, but no dice.

Good news though, overnight she ate some of the dry food from the shelter and ate some more today, so maybe we're over the hump.  They told me at the shelter she won't eat wet food and that's proving to be the case, except for the Fancy Feast broths.  Maybe I'll try some of the toppers if I can find them. She's a bigger picky pants than my Cindy was, and I thought she was bad.
 

2cats4me

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 5, 2014
Messages
2,046
Purraise
211
 
Thanks all, I've tried the other Fancy Feast stuff, and other gravy foods, but no dice.

Good news though, overnight she ate some of the dry food from the shelter and ate some more today, so maybe we're over the hump.  They told me at the shelter she won't eat wet food and that's proving to be the case, except for the Fancy Feast broths.  Maybe I'll try some of the toppers if I can find them. She's a bigger picky pants than my Cindy was, and I thought she was bad.
That is good news . At least she ate something . Maybe you could just stick with what she likes for now and try to introduce some new foods later on ..
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #9

misty8723

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 16, 2006
Messages
7,688
Purraise
8,129
Location
North Carolina
 
That is good news . At least she ate something . Maybe you could just stick with what she likes for now and try to introduce some new foods later on ..
Yes, that's my plan for now. As long as she's eating, she can have whatever she wants.
 

Kat0121

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Feb 23, 2014
Messages
15,036
Purraise
20,362
Location
Sunny Florida
I was having the same problem with my new foster kitty Henry at first. He wouldn't eat and it was stressful. I bought Gerber stage 2 meats, low sodium canned tuna in water, no salt added canned sardines and a few cans of Fancy Feast including the kind for kittens. What got him to start eating was the sardines. I chopped those stinky little things up and mixed them with the FF turkey feast for kittens. He gobbled it up. He's been doing very well ever since. He now has an excellent appetite, is drinking and everything is going well in litter box land. 
 
 
Last edited:
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #11

misty8723

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Jan 16, 2006
Messages
7,688
Purraise
8,129
Location
North Carolina
 
I was having the same problem with my new foster kitty Henry at first. He wouldn't eat and it was stressful. I bought Gerber stage 2 meats, low sodium canned tuna in water, no salt added canned sardines and a few cans of Fancy Feast including the kind for kittens. What got him to start eating was the sardines. I chopped those stinky little things up and mixed them with the FF turkey feast for kittens. He gobbled it up. He's been doing very well ever since. He now has an excellent appetite, is drinking and everything is going well in litter box land. 
 
That's very cool!  I'm glad your kitty is eating now - it's very stressful when you're trying to get them to eat something, anything, and just so happy when they start.  I guess from a cat's perspective, the stinkier the better.
 
Top