Humans love trying all kinds of cuisines and flavors in their food. We eat for pleasure as much as for sustenance. We would get bored pretty quickly with the same thing every day. But, is the same true for our cats? Can they get bored and should we switch up their diet more often?
Can Cats Get Bored of Their Food?
Yes, cats can get bored with their food and will enjoy a more varied diet if we give them the chance. It is also a good idea for your cat’s health and well-being to provide a greater range of options and some rotation in their diet. However, providing a varied diet isn’t a simple as just swapping brands and flavors from one day to the next. You have to find the right way to introduce different options. It is also important to pay attention to your cat’s feeding habits to provide the best possible mealtime experience.
Do Cats Need Variety in Their Food?
Cat’s will benefit from a diet that has a lot of different flavors and textures. It helps to keep them interested in what they are eating and to get more enrichment from the experience. Cats that have the same thing over and over may get bored and stop eating. If this happens, make sure that this is purely out of boredom and that there isn’t some underlying health issue. If they are otherwise themselves and energetic, they might just want a change.
Why it is Important to Rotate a Cat’s Food?
Rotating your cat’s food doesn’t just allow them to try new flavors and textures without getting bored. A more varied diet can help your cat’s health because:
- The more diversity there is in their diet, the better the chance of providing all the vitamins and minerals they need.
- There is also the chance to strengthen their immune system and reduce the risk of allergies by exposing cats to more ingredients and protein options.
- Cats that stick to one protein and a few additional ingredients all the time could become more sensitive to other foods, leading to vomiting and other gastric issues.
Can Cats Live on Dry Food Only?
When considering the best cat food to use when rotating your pet’s diet, you need to think about whether to use wet or dry food. Cats can do fine with dry food only if they seem to have a preference for it. But, this could stop them from experiencing different textures and flavors. Also, if you do stick to dry food only, you need to make sure you provide lots of fresh water so they can stay hydrated.
Do Cats Need Wet Food Every Day?
It is a good idea to provide wet food often because of the additional moisture provided. This is because.
- Cats that are prone to hairballs may struggle to pass them if they don’t have wet food or plenty of moisture from other sources.
- Poor hydration can also cause problems with their kidneys and urinary tract issues.
How to Switch Your Cat’s Food
Making that switch to a new type of food can’t happen overnight. You need to gradually introduce ideas and flavors to your pet for the best results. For example, a cat that has eaten nothing but chicken may not tolerate a week of nothing but fish. But, a little fish once a week could be fine and a nice treat. With time, you can add more variants and experiment with even more options.
Transitioning From Dry to Wet Food
This new varied diet could mean making that switch from an all-dry food diet to bringing in some wet food. Again, it helps to do this gradually rather than making a straight swap on day one.
- Start with a little wet food of the same flavor mixed with their dry food.
- Then go for half and half.
Then remove the dry food altogether.
- If your cat seems unsure, you may need to go slower with the transition.
Why do Cats Never Finish Their Food?
Your cat is simply full
This is important to remember if you are going to change your cat’s diet. They may leave some of the food behind, but this is normal. It doesn’t necessarily mean that they didn’t like it. Instead, they may simply be full right now and will come back and finish the meal later. They only have small stomachs so it is more comfortable for them to eat in a couple of sittings.
Sensitive whiskers
Another very common reason is sensitive whiskers. You might notice that your cat tends to eat the food only from the middle of the bowl leaving whatever is near the edges untouched. That means that your cat doesn’t want its whiskers to touch the sides of the bowl because it is causing discomfort. You might consider buying a smaller, more shallow bowl for your cat, that should solve the problem.
Try to keep the bowl as clean as possible, a dirty bowl can de another reason for your cat not finishing its meal.
Why Do Cats Want You to Walk Them to Their Food?
While we are on the subject of interesting cat feeding behaviors, you have probably noticed your cat trying to get you to come over with them to their food. This is sure to happen when you start to add new things to their bowl. Don’t take this as a sign that they aren’t happy. They probably just want your attention and for you to stay with them as they eat.
Why Do Cats Want You to Watch Them Eat?
A lot of cats feel more comfortable when their owners watch them eat and this could be more than just a need for attention. We tend to spend time with kittens as they eat to make sure they eat enough and are happy with their meal. With time, your cat may come to accept this as the norm. So, if you don’t stay when you give them their food as adults, they may be confused or even feel a little unsafe.
Is it Bad to Switch Your Cat’s Food?
In summary, cats can get bored with their food and will benefit from a variety of textures, protein sources, and other culinary experiences. That is why it is a good idea to switch up your cat’s diet. But, you need to be careful how you do so. Make gradual changes, especially when bringing wet food into the equation. Also, make sure to keep up with the same feeding routines to keep your cat happy and comfortable – even if this means watching them eat.
Conclusion
Today we have discussed a variety of topics connected with a proper cat’s diet which will keep it not just happy and healthy but entertained. Just like people, our furry cat friends can definitely benefit from a varied diet.
My name is Katie, and I have had different pets at home for as long as I can remember. While I can definitely say I love all animals in general, my heart belongs to cats and dogs. I know you are supposed to choose one or the other, but I could never really decide. I’ve also owned hamsters and fish when I was a kid, and they filled my childhood with very delightful memories.
