If your cat won’t eat wet food, you may be wondering what’s going on. Maybe they’ve always devoured tender cuts of meat in gravy or a mouth-watering paté, only to suddenly be turning their noses up. Or perhaps you’ve been trying to swap them from kibble to wet food but aren’t having any luck.
Whatever the reason, if your cat’s not eating you may well be feeling understandably concerned. While a loss of appetite accompanied by other symptoms, such as altered drinking habits, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing or problems urinating, warrant an immediate trip to the vet, there are plenty of more benign reasons why your feline may have suddenly turned fussy.
Even if you splash out on the very best wet cat food that money can buy, a change in the recipe, the food bowl you serve it in or how you store it can all affect your cat’s willingness to eat what you put down in front of them. Other factors, such as a change in their environment or a recent trip to the vet can also put a cat off their food.
Thankfully, our expert vet, Dr. Sarah-Jane Molier is here to run you through some of the most common reasons why your kitty might be haughtily exiting the room with a displeasing flick of their tail every time you try to feed them wet food and what you can do to tempt their taste buds once more. Let’s take a look….
Sarah-Jane Molier wanted to be a veterinarian from around the age of ten. After much hard work, and her first degree in animal science, she realized this dream and graduated in 2009. She has been working in small animal clinics ever since. She currently works as Head Veterinarian in a small animal practice. Sarah-Jane particular enjoys internal medicine, alongside her managerial role.
Why won't my cat eat wet food?
Cats can be fussy creatures, and they love routine. Any small deviation from the norm can cause a temporary change in your cat’s eating habits.
If your cat doesn’t eat for 24 hours or more, then you must take them to a vet straight away. Cats need to eat regularly, or they can rapidly develop something called fatty liver syndrome (hepatic lipidosis), which requires prompt treatment.
While any cat can be affected, you might be surprised to learn that it’s even more serious for overweight cats to go without food since they are more prone to hepatic lipidosis.
Here are some possible reasons that your cat won’t eat wet food:
1. The recipe has changed
The food manufacturer may have changed some of the ingredients or altered the flavor slightly. This isn’t always immediately obvious on the packet, but your cat is likely to notice!
2. The type of wet food has changed
Have you swapped from gravy-based to pâté-based, for example? Cats can be fussy about textures and may favor a certain type of wet food.
3. A dirty bowl
Wet food leaves more residue in the bowl than kibble, so the bowl gets dirty quicker. The bowl may look clean, but cats have a very keen sense of smell. Similarly, residues of strong smelling liquid can offend your cat.
4. Changes in the weather or food storage conditions
One of the appeals of wet food is that it smells delicious! When the food gets cold, it loses its smell, which may make the food disinteresting to your cat. So, if it’s particularly cold outside, or you’ve started storing their wet food in the fridge, try warming it a bit.
5. A recent trip to the cattery or veterinary hospital
If the cattery or hospital fed your cat their favorite wet food while they were there, then they may now have a negative association with that food. This is called a ‘food aversion’. Simply put, it means your cat now associates that food with their stay in the cattery or hospital. If this is the case, it may be time to try a new food!
6. Expired food
If your cat is suddenly turning their nose up at their wet food, it’s always worth checking the use-by date. Cats have amazing senses and won’t eat food if it’s spoiling.
7. Personal preference
Some cats just prefer kibble! If that's the case with your feline, be sure to check out our guide to the best dry cat food for lots of nutritious and delicious options.
8. Eating elsewhere
If your cat is hunting more than usual, or a well-meaning neighbor is suddenly feeding them, then your cat may appear to not eat their food. You could try a collar with ‘do not feed me’ printed on it.
9. Stress
Any changes to their routine or environment can stress some cats enough they seem disinterested in their food. Have you changed where you feed them? Cats don’t like it if the food is too close to their water bowl or litter tray.
10. Inappetence
If your cat stops eating and has any other signs of illness, such as vomiting, diarrhea, or sleeping more than usual, then you should take them to your vet as soon as possible. If your cat was previously eating ravenously then suddenly stopped, this could indicate an illness such as diabetes, or an overactive thyroid.
Is it bad if my cat won't eat wet food?
Wet and dry food have different pros and cons, so many people opt for a mixture of both. Many cats live long, healthy lives eating solely dry food. Dry food is convenient, useful for cats that graze, and can prevent boredom when fed through puzzle feeders. It also tends to be higher in calories, so can be useful for underweight cats, or cats who need higher calories.
Wet food is great for increasing water intake, making it beneficial for cats prone to urinary issues or constipation. It is also a good option for overweight cats. If you think your cat would benefit from a wet food diet but they won’t eat it, and you’ve tried our tips below, then speak with your veterinary team for advice.
Why has my cat stopped eating wet food but eats treats?
There could be any number of reasons, including those listed above. Treats are highly palatable (tasty), so if your cat isn’t feeling like eating, these high value treats may still tempt them.
How to tell if cat doesn't like their food
Wondering how to tell if your cat doesn't like their food? If it’s a new food, try offering their usual food. If they dig in, that’s a sure sign they don’t like the new food! If it’s their usual food, try offering them something new to see if they’ve lost interest in their usual food.
How to encourage a cat to eat wet food
If you’re keen for your cat to eat some wet food, you can start by adding a tiny amount to their usual dry food. Gently warming the wet food can make it more appealing, as it brings out the smell (of course always check it’s not too hot before offering it to your cat!).
Try different textures and flavors of wet food, to see which your cat likes. Mixing in some warm cat milk initially may help tempt your cat. Remember that any change in diet should be done slowly, over 1-2 weeks, to avoid tummy upsets! This also gives your cat time to adjust.
If your cat won’t eat wet food when they usually do, there are many possible reasons. It’s important to check there isn’t an underlying medical issue, so call your vet for advice and to schedule a check-up. Remember, if your cat isn’t eating at all then they need to see a vet urgently.
For more kitty-related health content, be sure to check out our guides to 'do anti-vomit cat bowls work?' and 'common allergies in cats'.
