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Cat Won’t Eat Wet Food Anymore (Why & What now?)

You may have a new cat. Or, one that is old but, all of a sudden will no longer eat wet food. And wondering why it’s happening.

Why won’t my cat eat wet food anymore?

If your cat is not eating wet food anymore it could be sick or not interested in that brand anymore. Alternatively, it could even be as simple as an unclean cat bowl, or a change of environment making her feel unsettled.

So as you can see there are a few different reasons why your cat has gone off her wet food. Some are not as obvious as others.

But, what should you do if your cat won’t eat wet food anymore? Can you try and mix wet and dry food? Why do cats suddenly go off their food? Keep reading to get these answers and so much more.

What should you do if your cat won’t eat wet food anymore?

A cat eating from its bowl and lickings its mouth.

A cat eating from its bowl and lickings its mouth.

If you have noticed that your cat is not eating the wet food anymore you may be curious or keen to find a solution, right?

To get your cat to eat wet food check with your vet to make sure that she is not sick. If she doesn’t simply try another brand, it could just be the taste. Alternatively, stick with it, and try cleaning her food bowl. Failing that, consider buying some more bowls.

You have learned what you should do if your cat won’t eat wet food (Click here if it refusing all food) anymore. But, is it possible to try mixing wet and dry cat food?

Can you mix wet and dry cat food?

You may have some wet food and notice that your cat is not eating it. But, is it possible to try and mix it with dry food?

Yes, you can mix wet and dry food. You may also notice that some cats love this because of the mix of textures. However, you need to make sure that you do not overfeed your cat while doing this. And, look at the labeling to make sure they’re not overfed.

So now you know it is quite safe to mix dry and wet food (can this go into a slow-feeder? click here). Many cat owners do this. But, what would you do if your cat is not eating the new food that you have just purchased?

What do you do if your cat won’t eat new food?

If you have recently purchased some new food and you’ve noticed that your cat will not go anywhere near it you may be scratching your head to understand what you can do to get around this.

If your cat will not eat the new food you should try the old food again. If she is not eating the old food as well then you may have a health issue. However, if she’s fine with the old food then you simply need to try another brand.

So, now you know what to do if your cat will not eat the new food. But, why do cats suddenly goes off her food?

Why do cats suddenly go off their food?

Cat eating from a bowl.

Cat eating from a bowl.

You may have a cat for a while and all of a sudden she’s gone off her food. But, why does this happen?

If your cat has suddenly gone off her food it could just be the taste of the new food. Sometimes it could be a dental problem such as a simple toothache. However, in extreme circumstances, it could be a serious health issue such as kidney failure or intestinal issues.

If in doubt it’s advisable to consult with your vet. So, now you know there could be several reasons why your cat has suddenly gone off her food. Regarding their diet, can cats live off just wet food alone?

Can cats live on wet food only?

You may have a cat that is primarily eating wet food and you may be concerned with her nutrition. Is it safe to just give her wet food all the time?

Yes, it is safe to give your cat just wet food. You can also just give dry food. However, it is advantageous to have canned food because it has high water content. This allows your cat to stay hydrated. Also, help to avoid urinary tract infections or even kidney disease.

So, now you know cats can live on wet food only. What do you do if your cat is continually refusing to eat?

What do you feed a cat that refuses to eat?

If you have a finicky cat and she is refusing to eat (Click here to see how long Cyproheptadine takes to stimulate a cat’s appetite) what can you do?

To feed a cat that refuses to eat. If you are not using wet food try this first. If you already feeding her wet food, try heating the food first to see if this makes it more interesting for her. Failing that, try to add some fish oil, eggs, or some broth.

Another thing you can try is fresh food. But, wait until later on in the day when she has developed more hunger.

Do old cats stop eating?

You may have an older cat that, all of a sudden, has stopped eating. does this happen a lot to senior cats?

It is quite common for older cats to stop eating. This can be because they suffer from dehydration which can lead to constipation (Click here to see how to mix MiraLAX for this). Which makes it hard for them to eliminate and go off their food. Or, they may have other health issues such as arthritis or dental problems.

So, now you have learned senior cats do tend to go off their food from time to time. But, how long can a cat not eat?

How long can a cat not eat?

If you have a cat that is not eating you may be wondering how long they can go without eating before you need to worry, right?

A cat can live for two weeks without food. However, it will need to drink some water or it will not last long at all. In particular, a cat without water will only last a few days. However, it is advisable to consult a vet as soon as you notice your cat is not eating within 24 hours to avoid any problems.

So, you have learned how long a cat can last without food. But, should you mix wet and dry cat food?

Should you mix wet and dry cat food?

Earlier you learned it is safe to mix wet and dry cat food, remember? But, with that being said, does that mean that you should be doing this?

Yes, it is fine to mix wet and dry cat food. In fact, some cat owners prefer it. Especially if you have a finicky cat. But just make sure that you do not overfeed them because it is quite easy to do this when you mix like this.

So, now you have learned that you should consider mixing wet and dry cat food. But, is it true that wet food can cause diarrhea?

Can wet food cause diarrhea in cats?

You may have heard some rumors that wet food can cause diarrhea. But, is this just a rumor?

No, wet cat food is not known to cause diarrhea. Wet cat food has the right balance of moisture and food and is designed to provide the same experience s your cat hunting a wild animal, such as a mouse. Obviously, it’s not the same temperature.

So, now you have learned wet food is not likely to cause diarrhea. What should you feed a cat that is quite picky?

What to feed a picky cat?

If you have a picky cat (or finicky) you may be scratching your head, wondering what you can offer her, right?

To feed a picky cat stick with the same high-quality food, assuming you are. But, try to improve the texture or flavor. This can be as simple as adding some broth, dry food, or even get some canned tuna juice and mix it in.

So, now you know it is quite easy to try and feed a picky cat. However, All cats respond differently. it can be a trial-and-error basis.

What are the benefits of wet food?

The benefit of wet food is mainly the hydration it offers, but other benefits exist. Such as the flavor, easy to digest, ideal for cats that often have constipation issues, and it’s good for cats that drink very little water from their bowl.

With dry food, on the other hand, you have to make sure that you offer your cat water regularly, keep its water bowl clean, or even consider a water fountain to entice it to drink more regularly.  

Could whisker fatigue stop your cat from eating wet food?

Whisker fatigue is a real possibility. It can cause some cats to stress as their whiskers press against the food bowl. And, in extreme circumstances, they may decide not to stop using the bowl.

Fortunately, it is quite easily fixed. Simply replace the bowl with a wider one that can incorporate its needs.

Can cats get bored of wet food?

Cats can easily get bored of their food. This is similar to us humans, in that sense. You may find after about a year or so they may just suddenly stop, or seem to be eating less

If you fear this is the case you can easily try another brand of food or even another flavor. However, each cat is different, so you may need to try a few to find the right match. 

What happens if I don’t feed my cat wet food?

If your cat is well hydrated it should be fine. Teh challenge is getting your cat to drink enough without wet food. You may know, or find that your cat will not drink nearly enough without wet food.

This is why people say that it is a good idea to offer them this daily, or regularly. It does not mean dry food is bad, it is just easier to keep them hydrated this way, basically.

How long can a cat go without eating wet food?

Technically speaking a cat does need wet food at all. Its just difficult without it. Wet food makes it easier to keep your cats appetite satisfied and provide it with enough water.

This makes life so much easier than having to think of creative ways to get your cat to drink more without it.

Lindsey Browlingdon