If your cat won’t eat wet food anymore, this post will show you likely reasons why and what you can do about them.
So, why won’t my cat eat wet food anymore? Likely reasons why your cat won’t eat wet food anymore are that your cat is not hungry, your cat does not like the taste of the food, your cat has a mouth injury or is ill.
There are a number of possible causes and it could be due to a combination of them. However, there are some things you can consider to help figure out the main cause and there are some things you can do about it.
Why won’t my cat eat wet food anymore?
Below are some possible reasons why your cat won’t eat wet food anymore and what would make each of them more likely.
Your cat does not like the food
The cause could be that your cat just does not like the food. This would be more likely if your cat has started doing it since you started feeding it a different flavour or brand and if your cat does eat dry food. In this case, it would help to try feeding it a different brand and to ensure that it can eat dry food during the day. Many cat owners have also found that adding some hot water and mashing it up has helped.
Your cat is not hungry
Another possible cause is that your cat is not hungry. This would be more likely if your cat does eat all of the food when it has not been able to eat for a while such as in the morning but it does not eat it when it has access to other food.
Your cat has a mouth injury
Another possible cause is that your cat has a mouth injury such as tooth decay. This would be more likely if your cat has stopped eating the food suddenly. In this case, it would help to take it to a vet for a checkup.
Illness
It could also be the case that an illness has caused your cat to stop eating wet food. This would be more likely if your cat has started doing it suddenly and if it has been showing other signs of illness such as being fatigued. In this case, it would help to take it for a checkup with the vet.
How to get my cat to eat wet food?
Below are some options you have when dealing with the behavior.
Try feeding your cat a different flavor and brand
One option would be to try feeding your cat food from a different brand and a different flavour. It could also help to try a brand that does not have too much of the jelly part.
Try mashing the food up with a fork
Another option would be mash the food up with a fork so that the jelly part is more mixed with the meat. Sometimes, when cats don’t eat the wet food, they will eat the meat part, so mixing it up could help.
Try feeding your cat wet food first
If you are not already, you could also give your cat wet food first thing in the morning when your cat has not been able to eat other food for a while and is likely to be more hungry.
Take your cat for a checkup
If your cat does not eat dry food as well or it seems like the behavior could be the result of a mouth injury, it would help to take your cat for a checkup. By doing so, you should be able to get expert advice tailored towards your particular cat and to rule out medical causes.
Feed your cat more dry food
If you are unable to get your cat to eat the wet food, it would also help to ensure that your cat does still have access to dry food.
Try adding some hot water
Many cat owners have had success by adding some hot water to the wet food and mashing it up with a fork, and could be worth it for you to try. The reason why it works is likely to be that it brings the smell out of the food.