every cat has its own preferences, just like you. Sometimes cats refuse to eat a certain food because they don’t like the smell, taste, or texture. but the reason behind your feline’s picky eating habits could also be medical or even hereditary.
If you find yourself shopping for a new food, it’s helpful to understand what factors influence your cat’s preferences. After researching the topic of fussy cats, reading customer reviews, and reviewing third-party lab tests, I’ve chosen ten cat foods as the top picks for fussy cats.
I’ve selected hound & cats 98% chicken & chicken liver canned cat food as the best money can buy. Made with 98% chicken and chicken liver, this wet cat food formula is packed with hydrating moisture, as well as species-appropriate animal proteins and healthy fats.
at a glance: the best foods for picky cats to buy
Want a quick look at the products reviewed in this article? In the following comparison table, we have highlighted some of the most important features of each product. you will find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
why should you trust us?
our cat experts have reviewed over 200 of the world’s most popular cat food brands and hundreds of different formulas. We’ve also spent hours researching feline nutrition, contacting pet food companies, and analyzing product labels. with the help of our cats, we also got practical experience.
The foods on this list have been tested by more than half a dozen of our own cats. keep in mind, however, that each cat has its own unique preferences. Our experts’ experience with these foods may not match your experience, so you’ll need to do some trial and error on your own to find out what your cat likes.
Based on extensive research and hands-on experience, I’ve chosen the ten products below as the best cat foods you can buy for finicky cats.
how we test
after painstakingly researching the factors that contribute to a cat’s food choices, I went through the database of all about cats from brands we’d already tried and reviewed. I narrowed down the options to brands rated b- or higher and selected recipes that we sent to a third-party lab for analysis.
While examining the options, I specifically chose dry and wet cat foods, as well as canned and freeze-dried cat foods with different textures.
About half of my food choices contain chicken as the main protein; i used these foods to test my cats’ responses to different types and textures of food, taking the taste factor out of the equation. the rest of the foods have other common proteins such as beef, turkey and salmon. I’ve also included a new protein recipe for cats with allergies or food sensitivities.
Once I got to my top ten picks, I ordered all the foods and tested them on my own three cats. all ten of these foods are from brands (and, in many cases, are the same recipes) that have also been tested by our head of content, mallory crusta, with her two cats of hers.
In each of the product reviews below, you’ll find comments from our personal experiences with food, as well as an analysis of the recipe based on ingredients and nutritional composition.
our top picks for the best food for fussy cats
After spending hours poring over lab tests, product information, and customer reviews, I’ve selected the following 10 cat foods for hands-on testing.
4 important factors for cats when selecting food
1. a cat’s food preferences begin to form when they are very young.
your cat’s preferences start to form even before she’s born. what the mother ate during pregnancy and lactation and the type of food used during weaning can influence your cat’s dietary preferences. the types, flavors, and textures of foods your kitty is exposed to also play a role while she’s still young.
2. cats tend to prefer foods that have a strong, attractive aroma.
Scent is an important factor in a cat’s decision to eat or refuse a food. even if the food smells awful to you, it’s likely to be much more appealing to your can than a less odorous food.
Wet food tends to have a stronger odor than dry food. however, refrigerating moist foods may reduce odor. If your cat refuses wet food on the second day, let it come to room temperature or microwave it for a few seconds.
3. some cats have specific preferences for texture or shape.
As humans, we often eat with our eyes: the appearance of food influences whether or not we want to eat it. cats can form preferences for the shapes and textures of food. In a small 2020 study, researchers determined that cats prefer flat disk, x-shaped, or star-shaped kibble over triangles and cylinders. Of those options, the flat disc shape seemed to be the most palatable to cats.
Wet cat food comes in a wide variety of textures, including pate, chopped, and mashed. some pates are completely soft, while others contain pieces of meat or vegetables; moisture content also affects texture. chopped and shredded foods are often prepared in sauce or broth, which changes the texture.
4. dental disease and medical problems can affect your cat’s food choices.
If your cat has bad teeth or other dental problems, it may be difficult or uncomfortable for her to eat. Your cat may reject the dry food they’ve always accepted, but may be perfectly happy to eat a softer wet food.
Certain health problems are also influenced by diet. While your cat may not realize that wet food with a higher moisture content is better than dry food for kidney disease, you may feel in some ways that eating dry food doesn’t feel as good. allergies or food sensitivities can also steer a cat away from a certain food before physical symptoms become apparent.
In addition to these factors, environment plays an important role for some picky eaters.
Because feral cats are solitary hunters, they can take their time and consume their prey in a safe place. some cats don’t feel safe eating unless you’re home; sometimes petting your cat during a meal can help relieve stress and encourage a picky cat to eat.
relevant content:
- The 6 Best Foods for Cats with a Sensitive Stomach
- the 8 best foods for cats with gas
- The 7 Best Hypoallergenic Cat Foods
