My cat refuses his new food: how can I help him like it?

My cat refuses his new food. He no longer wants to eat his kibble. Should I persist? How can I get him to accept it? It's possible that your cat is just being a picky eater. But generally, with a good dose of patience and a proper transition phase, it's highly likely that your cat will eventually love his new food.

Why is my cat refusing his new food?

You might have decided to choose a new food for your cat for various reasons: a medical issue, to help him lose weight, or simply because you discovered the benefits of a healthier diet. However, it is not always easy to get your little cat to accept new food.

Our cats have several peculiarities in their eating behavior; some cats will have no trouble switching food and may even enjoy the change, these cats are called "neophilic". Others may be a bit more reluctant. Indeed, it’s important to keep in mind that most of our cats are "neophobic", meaning they are wary of change.

What the kitten eats during the first few weeks of its life will strongly influence its future eating habits, just as its mother's diet will impact its preferences.

It’s also important to know that cats are sensitive to the "physico-chemical" properties of their food. The smell, taste, texture, and temperature all play a role in the food acceptance process. For example, a cat will prefer food at room temperature, ideally between 20°C and 35°C. As for taste, cats perceive sour, bitter, and salty flavors but are completely indifferent to sweet tastes!

Note: if your cat is turning up its nose at the food, it could also be an issue with food storage. The kibble may have oxidized, or the wet food may have dried out, etc. Find all our tips for properly storing your cat's food.

How can I get my cat to accept his new food?

Basic rules to follow

First, make sure that your cat’s bowl is easily accessible. The location of the bowl is very important: your cat should not feel vulnerable while eating. In fact, he will prefer to eat in a calm place, but not necessarily in the corner of a room where he has to turn his back. This is especially true if you have other pets at home. Each animal should have its own bowl.

Its feeding area should be at least 50cm away from its litter box. Don’t forget to regularly clean the bowl to keep it nice and clean.

Choose a bowl that doesn’t slip on the floor and is not too deep, so your cat’s whiskers don’t get wet. Cats can perceive the oxidation in their food, so make sure to store it in a proper place.

The food transition

The food transition is likely the best solution for getting your cat to accept new food. This could involve a change in the type of food (dry, wet, homemade, or mixed) or a change in the ingredients. The idea is to introduce the new food gradually, along with your cat’s current food.

By doing a food transition, you will avoid shocking your cat’s digestive system with a sudden change. Do not start a food transition just after an unpleasant or stressful event, such as a visit to the vet, a move, or digestive issues like diarrhea or constipation.

Steps for a food transition with wet food

Step 1:

To begin your cat's food transition, start by offering 10g of the new wet food, either alone or mixed with its old food. If your cat doesn’t refuse the new food, you can move directly to the second step. If he doesn’t eat it, try again the next day, and for several days if necessary, so he can get used to the smell of the new food.

Step 2:

Now you can double the amount of wet food, increasing it to 20g. You can offer this in one meal or divide it into two meals.

Step 3:

Continue this pace for several days, until the old food is entirely replaced. As you increase the new food, be sure to decrease the old food. For example, for one teaspoon of wet food, decrease the kibble by 2g to 3g. Then, for 50g of wet food, remove 10g to 15g of kibble.

Camille and Julia, our awesome Cat Moms, share 5 tips in a video to simplify the food transition. 😽

Feel free to download our complete guide on food transitions.

10 tips to encourage your cat to eat his new kibble and/or wet food

1/ Play with your cat

Physical activity stimulates his hunting instincts: “I hunt, then I eat.” It opens up his appetite and releases endorphins, the happiness hormones. Try playing a little hunting game with your cat: ball throws, fishing rod, etc.

2/ Feed him in a calm moment

Our whiskered friends are naturally stressed. If you offer him food when there’s a lot of excitement in the house, he won’t eat. He’ll be alert to everything around him, not focusing on his bowl, even if it’s delicious.

3/ Place the bowl in a secure spot

Always on the defensive, cats also don’t like to eat with their backs to their surroundings or on the floor! They need to be able to watch out for predators. If they feel unsafe, they may refuse to eat.

4/ Use a clean, shallow bowl

Make sure the bowl is clean and shallow, so his whiskers don’t touch the edges. If they get "crushed", it may cause physical discomfort. Opt for a small plate, but avoid plastic or metal containers that may affect the food’s smell.

5/ Serve his wet food at room temperature

Cats are gourmets, and their culinary experience mainly relies on smell and texture. So avoid serving cold wet food. You can add a small spoonful of warm water to make it more acceptable.

6/ Divide meals into smaller portions

When it’s hot, wet food can dry out, and your little cat may reject it. So offer multiple small meals throughout the day if possible.

7/ Mix the new food with something he likes

In the beginning, you can mix Ziggy’s new food with something he likes and is familiar with, like a bit of tuna juice, a drizzle of olive oil, a pitted green olive chopped into small pieces, some plain yogurt (if your cat is not lactose intolerant), a drop of soy sauce, or a few steamed zucchini cubes.

8/ A sachet of probiotics

You can also sprinkle a sachet of probiotics on his food; they’re very appetizing and also improve the digestive system of sensitive cats. Probiotics for cats are a great option.

9/ Vary the texture

You can also vary the texture by mashing his wet food a bit or adding a tablespoon of warm water to create a little broth if he loves that.

10/ Put some wet food on his paw

If your cat refuses to try the wet food, you can put a small amount on his paw. He’ll lick it while grooming himself, slowly getting familiar with the taste and smell.