Do cats get bored of the same food?

As a Cat Owner, you may know that felines can be picky eaters. However, do cats get bored of the same food? If your feline friend suddenly turns up their whiskers at their cat food, they may be ready for a change.

Even so, that doesn’t mean that your cat should start eating off your plate every night. After all, sudden changes could leave you and your dedicated Pet Sitter with a woozy feline on your hands. And, if you’re not careful, you could throw off your kitty’s nutritional balance.

With that in mind, let’s create a culinary adventure that your cat can safely enjoy!

Why do cats get bored of the same food?

While some cats are content to eat the same food day in and day out, many others aren’t so sure.

When your cat tires of the same food, you may notice them giving you a look that says: “Kibble, again? Really?” Even if your cat eventually relents and eats a few bites, you can tell they’re going to leave you a bad Yelp review.

Why cats seem to get bored of their regular food probably has something to do with their evolution. A study of Australian feral cats, for instance, found that the diet of hunting felines is surprisingly variable! A self-sufficient cat may eat birds, mice, lizards, frogs, insects and more. And, as we humans enjoy seasonal menus, a cat’s diet can change throughout the year depending on the prey available.

It makes sense, then, that in the past few decades that we’ve moved towards keeping cats inside, our felines would suddenly rebel at the lack of food diversity.

Another issue is smell. On one hand, dogs will gobble down practically anything that they can get their jaws around. In contrast, cats rely on their sense of smell to determine if a type of food is edible. If their food has gone stale or even if the manufacturer has changed their recipe, your cat’s senses may be telling them that something’s off.

Finally, we should note that sometimes a cat will stop eating for reasons unrelated to the quality of the food. It’s important to consult with a vet whenever your cat stops eating to rule out a more serious condition. And before you schedule your visit, ensure you cover your kitty with a reliable pet insurance plan.

If the professional opinion is that your kitty is simply bored with their food, there are a few ways that you can make the menu more interesting.

How can you spice up your cat’s food bowl?

Before you throw out your cat’s kibble for good, it’s important to proceed with caution here. You’ll want to ensure that your cat’s new food is as tasty as it is nutritious. And, there’s also the reality that our domestic cats probably aren’t able to digest the wide variety of foods that their strong-stomached feral cousins can. So finding a diet that is easy on your cat’s digestive system is important, as well.

So, here are a few tips to help spice up Fluffy’s food the right way:

Stick with slow transitions. To avoid a cat with an upset stomach, make sure that any food changes are done over the course of about a week.
Consider a mix of wet and dry food. Sometimes the variety in texture is just what your cat needs to feel more mentally stimulated. You might feed your cat wet and dry food on an even split, or supplement their regular diet with the occasional wet or dry meal. Just remember to keep it fairly consistent so that your cat’s digestive system can handle it. In other words, giving your normally dry-food-eating cat a special wet meal a few times per week is better than once a month.
Always choose the best quality food available. Finding “the best” cat food is easier said than done with so many brands vying for the top spot. In our recent article on the benefits of Australian-made dog foods, we pointed out some signs of quality pet food that work for your cat as well. In particular, be on the lookout for freshness, a healthy balance of protein and veggies (yes, cats need some fibre, too!), human grade food standards, and locally sourced ingredients.
Make mealtimes more fun. In their transition to domesticity, our cats have lost out on the exhilaration of the hunt! By giving them some playtime before meals, you may notice them digging in more enthusiastically.
Sneak in a few cat-friendly treats throughout the day. To be sure, you don’t want your cat to get into a habit of begging for food, but there’s no harm in tossing them a cat-friendly veggie or slice of turkey every once in a while. Better yet, get your cat on a training program so that you can give them even more mental stimulation between meals and make them work for their treats.
Cats want chew toys, too! Sure, cats live for the chase. But some felines wouldn’t mind a toy or plant that they can chew on between play sessions. If your cat’s favourite boredom-busting activity is to ruin your plants, you might give your cat some cat-friendly grass patches around the house.
Consult with your vet. Overall, cat nutrition is serious business. Any time that you change your cat’s food or add something new to their diet, it’s a good idea to run it by your vet.