Cats can be fickle creatures. One minute they love their food, the next they look at it like it’s inedible – usually after you’ve just bought it in bulk! It’s common for moggies to have their own preferences regarding the flavour, texture, and smell of their meals. But should you be worried if your cat stopped eating wet food all of a sudden? Today, we’re exploring potential reasons your cat won’t eat wet food anymore and ways to encourage them to tuck in. We’ll also cover the pros and cons of only feeding your kitty dry food.
Why is my cat not eating wet food all of a sudden?
There are several possible explanations as to why your cat stopped eating wet food but still munches on kibble. Here are seven of the most common causes:
Personal preference
Perhaps the simplest and most likely reason your cat won’t eat wet food is that they just don’t want to! Some kitties prefer the crunchy texture of kibble to the softness of meals in gravy or jelly. Others find the taste and aroma of the biscuits more to their liking. Or maybe your moggy only likes one type of wet food and refuses to tuck into any other varieties.
If your cat stopped eating wet food out of the blue, it could be that the company changed their recipe. The new flavour, scent, or texture might not appeal to your kitty’s taste buds. If so, this may be why they’re turning up their nose at dinnertime and only grazing on kibble.
Problems with the food
A novel ingredient isn’t the only factor that could put your pet off their usual meal. For example, the temperature you serve it at can make a difference. Moggies aren’t usually fans of cold food, probably because it’s not what they’d eat in the wild. In fact, research shows that warming up food makes it more palatable for older kitties who have lost their appetite.(1) So, if you’re dishing up their dinner straight from the fridge, this could be why your cat stopped eating wet food. Because we keep kibble in the cupboard, it won’t suffer from the same problem.
There’s also a chance that something is off with the grub itself. Our feline friends have an amazing sense of smell. They’ll notice that food has expired or spoiled even when we can’t tell there’s anything wrong with it.
Boredom
Another possibility is that your cat won’t eat wet food anymore because they’re bored of it. Kibble might be a welcome change in texture and flavour if they’ve been tucking into the same meals every day. If this is why your cat stopped eating wet food, a simple switch to a new brand should help. One other potential solution is to try a wet-food-compatible puzzle feeder to make mealtimes more fun for your fluffy friend.
A more general feeling of boredom could also cause appetite loss, so ensure your pet has plenty of toys to play with.
Stress
Our beloved pets get anxious and experience stress just like we do. And one of the signs that your kitty is feeling stressed out is loss of appetite.(2) A nervous moggy might only feel as though they’re able to manage a few biscuits at mealtimes. There are lots of things that can act as stressors for cats, including loud noises, strangers, new pets, and changes to their routine. If anxiety is why your cat stopped eating wet food, there will probably be other symptoms. These include excessive grooming and meowing, hiding, destructive behaviour, restlessness, attention seeking, and vomiting.
Thinking about their eating routine specifically, if you’ve moved their bowl or implemented a new feeding schedule, this could be causing your kitty stress. Try switching things back and seeing if the problem persists. It’s best to make any alterations to mealtimes gradually to avoid problems.
Environmental factors
Your cat not eating wet food could also be the result of where or how you’re feeding it to them. For example, plastic bowls tend to retain smells and might be off-putting for your kitty to eat from. That includes both old food odours and the scent of washing-up liquid. Similarly, most moggies prefer to dine from a wide, shallow bowl that their whiskers don’t touch the sides of. And if you have more than one pet, they should all have their own bowls.
The place you put their bowls in also matters too. Cats normally like to eat in a quiet spot, and somewhere that’s away from their litter tray. Some animals enjoy having company while they tuck in, whereas others prefer solitude. It may take a little trial and error to discover your pet’s preferences!
Snacking
We all love the idea of treating our cats, but snacking can do them more harm than good. And we don’t just mean the extra calories. Some pets learn that if they refuse to have their dinner, they’ll get something better later. So, if your cat stopped eating wet food but still gobbles down Dreamies and other biscuits, this could be why.
Food aversion
Has your cat stopped eating wet food after a trip to the cattery, getting sick, or staying at the vet? A food aversion could be to blame. Just like us, it’s possible for cats to associate a particular food with an unpleasant feeling or a stressful experience.(3) For example, they might develop an aversion to the wet food they had at the vet when they felt unwell. Meanwhile, the kibble has no such connection with stress for them, so they’re happy to eat it.
If you suspect this is the case for your moggy, try offering them a very different type of wet food and see how they react. Again, it could take some trial and error to find what they’re willing to consume.
Medical issues
Lastly, there’s a chance that your cat stopped eating wet food because of an underlying medical condition. Several issues can cause a loss of appetite, including gastrointestinal conditions, respiratory problems, and dental disease. If your cat stopped eating wet food and dry food altogether, or has any other symptoms, take them to the vet. They’ll be able to rule out – or diagnose – possible medical causes and advise you on necessary treatment. Your vet might also suggest a prescription food that’s rich in nutrients and calories to help your moggy stay healthy.
Why is my kitten not eating wet food?
The reasons for a kitten not eating wet food are much the same as for an adult cat. However, they’re often more easily intimidated than grown-up moggies. That makes it more likely that other people and pets will put them off their dinner. Kittens might also still be learning what kinds of foods they like. One key point to remember is that a kitten’s age and size make them very delicate. As such, you should take them to the vet straight away if they’re not eating anything at all.
Is it okay for a cat to only eat dry food?
So, that answers the question ‘why did my cat stop eating wet food but still eats dry food?’. In a moment, we’ll move on to ways you can encourage them to change this habit. But first, it’s worth addressing another issue: does it matter?
If you choose a high-quality dry cat food, it should contain all the calories and nutrients your kitty requires. On top of which, kibble could benefit your moggy’s dental health by helping to keep plaque and tartar at bay. However, the key concern to bear in mind if your cat stopped eating wet food is hydration.
As the names imply, wet food has more moisture than dry food. This means that if your pet is only eating kibble, you need to ensure they’re drinking enough water. Sometimes, this is easier said than done. Some cats don’t like drinking still water from a bowl, because in the wild it’s a breeding ground for bugs. However, staying hydrated is vital for their wellbeing, affecting everything from organ function and temperature regulation to digestion and circulation.
If your kitty isn’t very diligent about drinking water, try providing a fresh, moving water source like a fountain. They might even want to drink directly from a running tap.
How to encourage your cat to eat wet food
‘My cat stopped eating wet food! What do I do?’ If this sounds like you, don’t worry. There are several tactics you can try that should encourage your kitty to tuck in. For example:
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Add a splash of warm water to the bowl. This helps to bring out the aroma of the wet food and make it more appetising to our feline friends.
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Offer your moggy different flavours and textures of wet food to figure out what they like best.
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Create a stress-free environment for nervous cats to dine in, away from noise, people, and other animals. Ashwagandha powder may also help ease symptoms of stress and anxiety in worried moggies.(4)
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Stick to a regular feeding schedule. An auto-feeder is useful for this when you’re out.
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Try feeding your kitty by hand to see if it encourages them to eat. But remember, never force-feed your pets.
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Ensure your moggy’s food bowl is clean and doesn’t smell (of either food or cleaning products). Wide, shallow dishes made from metal or ceramic are usually best.
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Check the expiration date on your cat’s wet food and store the tins/pouches in a cool, dry place. If you keep half-empty packets in the fridge, allow the food to warm up to room temperature before serving it.
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Never punish your pet for not eating their dinner. They won’t understand why they’re being punished, and it could scare them and harm your bond with them.
Tips for transitioning your cat to a wet food diet
If your cat stopped eating wet food a while ago, it’s best to transition them back onto it gradually. Sudden changes to your fluffy friend’s diet can cause tummy troubles like vomiting and diarrhoea, so take it slow.
Start by mixing a little bit of wet food into their dry food and seeing how they get on. If they eat it happily and don’t experience digestive upset, increase the proportion of wet food after a few days. This will give them time to adjust to the new chow. If at any point your cat has tummy troubles, revert to their old dinner. Speak to a vet if the symptoms don’t clear up or you have any questions about changing your pet’s diet.
Repeat this process until your kitty is content to tuck into a meal solely made up of wet food. Of course, getting to this point doesn’t mean you have to stop feeding them kibble. Most pet parents opt to give their moggy a mix of both wet and dry food. This helps to keep mealtimes interesting, plus ensures your fur baby gets the benefits of both types of grub.
Boosie functional pet supplements for picky eaters
Another tactic you could try if your cat stopped eating wet food is adding some extra ingredients to their bowl. That might be human foods like cooked and deboned fish, steamed broccoli, unseasoned boiled eggs, or blueberries. For some kitties, this will be tempting enough to get them to tuck in. Alternatively, here at Boosie, we offer tasty organic functional foods that can help support your beloved pet’s wellbeing. For example, medicinal mushrooms may have advantages for the immune system, while sea buckthorn could benefit skin, eye, and fur health.(5)
What to do if your cat won’t eat wet food anymore
The first thing to do if your cat stopped eating wet food is to try and figure out the reason. This will enable you to choose the best techniques for tackling the issue. If your moggy simply prefers dry food and drinks enough water, you may not have to do anything! However, if something like stress, bowl placement, or boredom is to blame, there are practical and effective steps you can take to persuade them to start eating wet food again. Just be patient and reward your kitty with lots of cuddles when they tuck in!
