Do I need to be cruel to be kind?

[tigwig]

I have a 11month old cat who is an extremely fussy eater (like us it must run in the family!) When we first got him at around 6 weeks I think, he was fed 'My Cat' kitten food from Morrisons and continued to eat this no problem for several months. Then I was given a load of Whiskas by someone and tried him with that but he wouldn't touch it so I just gave him 'My Cat' again. Recently he went off this so I bought various other types of cat food including gourmet (all for adult cats as he is now almost 1 year) and at first he eats them so I buy a big box then he stops! It's like he knows what he's doing! I am getting sick of pandering to his every whim and have now decided that I am going to give him all the food that is in the cupboard which is mainly Whiskas amongst others. The problem is he is hardly eating it and over the last 24 hours I would say he has eaten one third of a can where he normally would eat much more. He does have dry food as well but because that is a different brand he is relectant to try that as well. He is fit and healthy in every other way and I think he is just been too fussy! Am I right or should I give in and keep buying more food?

[lankeela]

I think you know the answer already! Put it down, and if he doesn't eat it in say half an hour pick it up. He will soon get the message (or move out!).

[sue11]

Hi tigwig. Cats very quickly work out who is the softie in the household! With my two cats they know that they can simply open their mouths and cry a bit and I will pander to their every whim. They are demanding and fussy and do exactly as your cat does, tuk in to one type of food happily, then when I confidently buy a whole box, refuse to touch it, infuriating!! My partner on the other hand is not so soft and when I had to go on a work training course for two weeks, just stuck down whatever food was to hand and they had to eat it all or go hungry. They soon learnt to eat it without a fuss. Unfortunately as soon as I came back, it went straight back to normal eating! My cats are now too old for me to retrain and I am too soft to ignore the heartfelt cries, but with your cat there is still hope as he is young!! If you are tougher than I am, then I would stick to your guns and make him eat what you want him to eat. If you are just a big softie, then perhaps someone else will take over feeding him for you? Good luck anyway!!

[pussnboots]

Don't talk to me about fussy cats. I have 2 and they have me wrapped around their little paws. One only likes chicken and prawns, also if I buy them cheap tuna they turn their noses up but as soon as I open a better quality one for myself they are there like a shot. My husband goes mad at me for constantly thowing cat food away but I am a softy and give in every time.

[verycurious]

Both dogs and cats can appear fussy. Like us, I suppose they get bored eating the same old thing day in day out. If your cat appears to be otherwise healthy and happy I wouldn't worry about it and just try a bit of variety every now and again. Does he go out much? May be he has an 'alternative place to eat' outside of your home and he's getting well fed there. If he just appears to be off his food, maybe he might have something wrong in his mouth so might be worth checking with the vet.

[plowter]

Cat's are fussy b*ggers when it comes to food. But to be fair to the poor old moggy, smell is far more important to cats than to humans.

How would you like to eat the same gloop every day? Make sure he's got some variety of brand and flavour. He'll get used to being fed the good stuff and the so-so stuff.

Don't forget that cats like their treats. For instance, if you're making chicken, give him some chopped up scraps (with watery gravy to keep it moist). If you're making steamed fish, save hime some of the flesh.

A cat's eating area is also important. If it's not clean at cat nose level, it'll go off it's food. If it's too clean and stinks of disinfectant, it'll go off it's food. Ditto for the food bowls.

Lastly, think about how you store the food? Is it always at the same temperature? How do you know the food hasn't gone off?

Gotta go - someone wants his caviar.