What do you feed your cats?

[DubiousIntentions]

I don't get my 2 cats. They don't eat anything cats usually love, like canned cat food, leftover chicken, or even ham lunch meat. They just ignore the canned food except to lap up the juices, and they just play with chicken or ham. They will only eat dry cat food, like Fancy Feast or Temptations. Do I have weird cats or what?

[BullShark]

Pedigree cats, usually Persians for the most part, are fussy about what they eat/drink, so if you have those, it's nothing out of the ordinary. Like my cousin's cat; a grey Persian male will only drink a particular brand of boxed milk and if you try giving him some other brand, he'll simply sniff it for a while, give you a "really bruh?" look and never touch it again. Yeah. Apparently cats can smell and differentiate between their favorite milk.

This however, isn't the case with my own cat, which is an orange stray we took in earlier this year. These guys have a favorite food (like for him, it's whole chicken feet) but they'll eat anything else as well, from chicken/beef entrails to even an entire banana if they're feeling like it.

For your cats, sure they may only like eating kibble/dry cat food, but keep in mind, that's the human equivalent of only eating cookies your whole life and never touching any real food like meat or veggies. So just like a parent who's dealing with fussy children (which is kinda what our pets are like to us), you'll need to get a bit more strict with them and watch what they eat. When it's dinner or lunch, give them only the meat you're trying to feed them that they don't want to eat and refuse to give them kibble. If they come up to you, meowing and wanting their favorite treat, scold them politely and tell them that that's all they're gonna get. Pets can understand and they'll go eat whatever you've given them a while later

[DubiousIntentions]

I'm sure feral cats aren't beggars or choosers. They eat whatever they can get.

[BullShark]

I wouldn't necessarily call every stray cat feral, but yeah, they aren't very particular about what they eat, because they're used to eating and getting by with whatever they can find to sustain them throughout the day. In the same sense, they're also very loving and affectionate too if they make you their favorite human, as they aren't usually shown much love from other people who may shoo them away, or other stray cats who they may fight with

[RavVid]

My cat loved dried food initially. He would break into the pantry and pull it out then claw it open to help himself over night. I made the mistake of buying him wet food. I would show him the packet and he would jump up with all four paws in the air. I liked pleasing him but he turned.

He sees us eat our food with pleasure and stares at our mouths. He thinks there must be a better cat food that will delight him for ever. He is absolutely certain we are holding out on him.

About every Saturday he pulls an eating strike, demanding more because the last lot is so 5 seconds old but by Sunday, fortunately for now, he backs down.

He doesn't like chicken but loves turkey slices (cause it is more expensive). If the wet has gravy or jelly he just licks that up and the solids are discards. Fancy Feast has savory centers (of gravy). The precision with which the gravy is extracted without touching the meat is impressive. Gravy/Jelly is just cellulose with no catty goodness in it so they aren't really eating if they are just taking the gravy.

by the way there is an essential amino acid cats need but cheap foods don't necessarily have. I'll check on that post back. I didn't know till a vet told me when Tabby got sick. Fancy Feast is ok on this. Is Temptations Dine/Nestle? It is here. Felix is a cheaper Nestle product and he gets Hills Science Diet TD for tooth hygiene.

I think you are lucky and whilst we like to please our felines you may fiends out of them as I did with mine.
Careful with what you wish for.

[RavVid]

Taurine is the amino acid that should be in cat food. Info in link.
www.petmd.com/.../what-taurine-32287

[DubiousIntentions]

Hmmm, it is made by Mars, the candy company which Nestle is probably a part of.

[DubiousIntentions]

Good info.

[RavVid]

If you didn't know you wouldn't look for it. My tabby was quite sick for some time and it was only because the vet told me to make sure it was listed on the package that I became aware of it. He loved tuna but this why they shouldn't only have that.

There are things we can eat but are toxic for them too. I don't want to seem mendacious but I used to think that if they liked it then it would be OK for them. But I was wrong.

Interesting about Mars. Googled and Nestle is not linked to Mars.

[DubiousIntentions]

I looked and Taurine is listed as an ingredient in Temptations cat food. 😊🙌🏼

[NathanDavis]

I am wondering about the age of your cats... and also, have they always been like this? or has this been a recent change?

there is only one brand of wet food that my cats do not appreciate much, and it is probably because this one in particular is not smelly enough... they do similar with ham, they don't always like it every time

they're crazy for any chicken though...

so, it could be the case that your cats are sensitive or allergic to a particular ingredient in some food, or their stomachs get upset because of it...

I would probably check with a Vet about that... and would also consider brands that do offer special diets for special cats

[DubiousIntentions]

I have tried different brands, and even mixed different brands together. They will eat some but not others. They are only 3 years old, rescued feral kittens that I had fixed - and their mother too. What they do like is chicken broth. But if I put it over any dry cat food they just lick up the broth and leave the food behind. #!@* Little stinkers!

[NathanDavis]

it does seem odd, but some cats are known to be fussy...

so, as long as they're eating normally... I think it would be alright

I would still go check with a Vet, for a general check-up... and if they're healthy then just let them have what they like to eat

the one thing I would consider is, since they only eat dry food... make sure they drink enough water, because some cats do not drink water that much and they definitely need it, hence the important of wet food too

maybe ask the vet if the chicken broth will be enough to get more liquid and water or, if they should not be having that much of it or not too often

[Paulychicagoluv]

You do. I have 1 cat like that, but I went to lengths to figure out what wet food he would like. Finally found out he only eats Applaws Tuna puree in broth.

Every once in awhile he will eat some of my other cats wet food of friskies (9 lives, I think).

You think to make sure if he only eats hard food, is urinary tract infections and kidney failure. I had to put one cat down because he couldn't pee anymore. Just take you time and go to the store and buy 1 of every wet cat food and try it out. Good luck

[DubiousIntentions]

Trouble is, they usually don't sell single cans. I'm guessing the tuna puree is expensive. I have given them recently expired tuna that was still good but they just ate the juice and not the tuna itself. The rotten little food critics.

[Paulychicagoluv]

My stuff is by the pack which is around 4$ for the 8 sleeves

[Paulychicagoluv]

Single cans, yes. I went through so many cans from so many different companies/names. Of course he chose the more expensive stuff, but it's better than nothing

[sawno]

You have weird cats, my cat only wanted wet food. And we established a method to ask the cat what it wanted to eat, i'd hold two bags of wet food in front of the cat and she would headbutt the one it wanted. My cat was pretty picky and would flatout reject food if it was the wrong one, with my method I had pretty high eating rates.

[DubiousIntentions]

Where do you find a "bag" of wet food. I only see it in cans.

[sawno]

Was multiple years ago but here they came in boxes with little plastic bags in them of various flavors. We tried a couple different brands to see what the cat liked best, and its pretty funny because one expensive brand advertised with "If its up to the cat". In our case it was up to the cat and it rated their brand last place xD.

So i'd for example pick out a bag with a fish dish, and a bag with a chicken dish and then the cat would choose whatever she was in the mood for that day.

[sawno]

Here's an example :

[DubiousIntentions]

Sounds like smart cats.

[DubiousIntentions]

@sawno I don't think they have that brand in the US.

[sawno]

Here all brands have this formfactor, my cat had a supermarket brand since it liked it the best.

[Saiesh30]

Nope they're not weird. My cat eats dry food only as well. Royal Canin is what I get him. He loves wet food but it's gotten to make him sick often so we don't give him that anymore.
To my surprise he never ate chicken or any kind of meat ever. He loves the chicken flavored treats and food but not meat itself.
Just like us humans, they're all different and have their likes and dislikes. That's what I've learned. And I love them ❤️

[DubiousIntentions]

You have to wonder that if a particular food makes them sick, what kind of junk do they put in it?

[Saiesh30]

That's exactly what the vet said back then. It's laced with preservatives and what not. Best to avoid it.

[DubiousIntentions]

Is Royal Canin a dry or wet cat food? I'm not familiar with the name. Who carries it?

[Saiesh30]

It's a dry cat food.

https://www.royalcanin.com/us/cats/products

[HaveNoName]

First if all, try to give as minimum dry food as you can. That is not healthy for them. It gives them kidney disease.

Try different brands of wet food. There will always be something that like.

Do not fill them up with the Temptation treats.

I hope they do not have a lack of appetite. That is also not good.

[OddBeMe]

Same here. Got a picky eating cat. But honestly dry food is best. Especially if your cat drinks out of every cup she finds.

[DubiousIntentions]

My cat's breath stinks after he eats dry cat food. I have lately mixed 3 or 4 different brands of dry food and mixed them all up in a plastic tote. They eat it but it doesn't help their breath. 🤧 There are a couple kinds I tried that even the feral cats won't touch. It's been trial and error.

[OddBeMe]

Weird, usually wet food causes more bad breath. There are treats that are breathmints and teeth treatments.

[Fireguy17]

She always has dry food out, and gets some canned food twice a day.

She gets a special dry food because she gets crystals in her kidneys.

[NYCQuestions1976]

I haven't had cats since I was a kid, but they always ate wet food. They also liked human foods (like certain meats, poultry, and seafood), but only gave them that on rare occasions as a treat.

[exitseven]

We used to feed the cats canned food in the morning and when the bowl was empty put some little Friskies in them.

Then they would get table scraps.

[DubiousIntentions]

I have given my cat scraps from a Walmart rotisserie chicken, and they turned their noses up at it. They were more interested in playing with the pieces than eating them. Like really?

[exitseven]

I used to work someplace that was so close to my house I would go home for lunch. I would sometimes grill myself a hamburger and grill one for Harry too.

[love_conquers_lust]

Dry cat food. They live outside. They can hunt moles if they don't like it. They haven't turned down that food before. They sometimes overeat and regurgitate cat food or mole guts on the porch.

[DubiousIntentions]

Maybe they are telling you they want better food? A riot comes next. 🤢😹😹

[Sparkie460]

We give our cats blue Buffalo can and dry cat food. It's a bit pricey but our vet said it's a good brand to give them.
My one cat loves real turkey and chicken. As soon as he smells it he's climbing the cabinets trying to get some

[AmeerX]

Milk, leftover chicken and meat and sometimes bread. They are omnivores 😅.

Oh and sometimes they just hunt rats and mice and it can be frustrating

[DubiousIntentions]

Bread? The only time my cats ate bread was when their food dish was empty, So they heisted the bread on the kitchen counter. I bet if I gave it to them purposely, they would turn their noses up at it.

[AmeerX]

Lol, yeah but it's not that they starve. But they do eat almost anything except fruit

[DubiousIntentions]

I know they like carrots.

[AmeerX]

Cats need their vitamins haha

[Sevenpointfive]

i think what you find appetizing isn't the same as your cats. feed them the dry food. and occasionally mix it with wet food.

[KrakenAttackin]

You are feeding them crap. Try Science Diet.

[Jennz6]

I don’t have a cat 🐱

[DubiousIntentions]

Most girls have kitties. 😯 😹😹

[Jennz6]

Sure I have a kitty and feed her regularly

[DubiousIntentions]

😯😏🤣😂

[LavLavLuv]

Canned cat food, dry food, chicken, fish

[Jmmmfi4]

DEFINITELY WEIRD

[Anonymous]

Mostly dry food.

[fuddly]

Cat food