It can be nerve-wracking to own a cat that’s a picky eater. As much as cats love their food, they can be particular about what they – and that’s part of their charm.
Your pampered little pawtner deserves the best nutrition, even if it is a picky eater. And it can be tricky to find a suitable diet that offers complete nutrition and irresistible flavors.
To save you from continuous refusals and your cat from serious health problems, I have compiled a list of best-tasting cat foods for picky eaters below. Learn everything you want about encouraging your picky eater to enjoy their meal.
The Best Tasting Cat Foods for Picky Cats – Our Top 5 Picks
| Best Tasting Cat Foods | What We Like About This Food… |
|---|---|
| 1. Taste of the Wild Canyon River Grain-Free Dry Cat Food (Editor’s Choice) | Grain-free recipe, includes smoked salmon for protein and flavors, natural antioxidant support |
| 2. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat Food | Protein-rich recipe, grain-free, includes real chicken for delicious flavors |
| 3. Fancy Feast Gourmet Savory Chicken & Turkey Dry Cat Food | 100% nutritionally complete and balanced meal, delicious finish with a crunchy texture, enchantingly shaped morsels made with chicken and turkey |
| 4. Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Poultry & Beef Feast Variety Pack Canned Food | Chunks in gravy texture, 100% complete and balanced nutrition, mouthwatering gravy |
| 5. Natural Balance L.I.D Limited Ingredient Diets Green Pea & Chicken Formula Grain-Free Dry Cat Food | Excellent for sensitive digestion, Limited-Ingredient Diet, delicious grain-free chicken formula |
Why your kitty fur baby may have stopped eating? – Here are 8 common reasons:
1. Taste of the Wild Canyon River Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Trout, 2. Ocean Fish Meal, 3. Sweet Potatoes, 4. Potatoes, 5. Pea Protein
This recipe by the Taste of the Wild is balanced nutrition with delicious flavors that your picky little eater cannot refuse. This grain-free recipe is prepared with the most nourishing ingredients and offers highly digestible energy for your active cat. This recipe includes the delicious flavors of smoked salmon, trout, sweet potatoes, peas, and a blend of antioxidants extracted from real fruits and vegetables. Ensure the best essential nutrients with this flavorful recipe that works perfectly for picky eaters.
2. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Deboned Chicken, 2. Chicken Meal, 3. Pea Protein, 4. Peas, 5. Menhaden Fish Meal
You can’t go wrong with this special recipe, even with the pickiest eater. Not only are the food’s delicious flavors irresistible to cats, but it also contains nutrients that your felines can thrive on. Make mealtime a nutritious and delightful occasion with this protein-rich, grain-free recipe loaded with chicken and fish flavors. Chicken serves as the primary source of protein in this recipe to help your feline maintain lean and healthy muscles. This recipe highlights the tasty LifeSource Bits that packs it with antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins for the immune system. Inspired by the diet of the Lynx, this food option offers a healthy oxidative balance for your cats.
3. Fancy Feast Gourmet Savory Chicken & Turkey Dry Cat Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Ground Rice, 2. Poultry By-Product Meal, 3. Corn Gluten Meal, 4. Beef Tallow, 5. Whole Grain Corn
This Fancy Feast Gourmet recipe has everything needed to make your cat purr. The savory recipe includes a delectable combination of chicken and turkey and serves as a 100% complete and balanced meal for your purr-fect buddy. The crunchy kibble is packed with nutrition to fuel your cat’s active lifestyle. The enchantingly shaped, mouthwatering morsels are meaty and flavorful that your cat will love. Serve your little kitty a meal that’s not only delicious but highly nutritious too.
4. Fancy Feast Gravy Lovers Poultry & Beef Feast Variety Pack Canned Food
Top 5 Ingredients
Turkey Flavored Gravy: 1. Poultry Broth, 2. Turkey, 3. Liver, 4. Chicken, 5. Meat By-Products
Chicken Flavored Gravy: 1. Poultry Broth, 2. Chicken, 3. Liver, 4. Wheat Gluten, 5. Meat By-Products
Beef Flavored Gravy: 1. Meat Broth, 2. Beef, 3. Liver, 4. Wheat Gluten, 5. Meat By-Products
Make mealtime as scrumptious as possible with this Fancy Feast Gravy Lover’s Variety packs made from a delicious blend of poultry and beef. This canned cat food includes the best combos of cats’ favorite flavors, including beef, turkey, and chicken. What makes it more unique and irresistible for cats is its thick gourmet gravy. The tender and delicate bites are slow-cooked to perfection and feature complete and balanced nutrition for your picky eater. Packed with essential minerals and vitamins, I highly recommend this for your picky eater.
5. Natural Balance L.I.D Limited Ingredient Diets Green Pea & Chicken Formula Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Green Peas, 2. Chicken Meal, 3. Chicken, 4. Chicken Fat, 5. Pea Protein
Provide your furry friend with the flavors and nutrition she craves. I recommend this Limited-Ingredient Diet for sensitive cats, which are naturally picky eaters. Rich in essential nutrients, the recipe contains only a handful of ingredients, including a single animal protein source. The tasty and crunchy kibble includes minerals, vitamins, taurine, and essential omega fatty acids to support your cat’s wellbeing from nose to tail – not to mention their lustrous coat. The irresistible flavors of this blend will have your cat running to her food bowl every single time.
6. Friskies Extra Gravy Pate Variety Pack Canned Cat Food – Case of 24
Top 5 Ingredients
Chicken in Savory Gravy: 1. Meat By-Products, 2. Poultry By-Products, 3. Chicken, 4. Fish, 5. Water Sufficient for Processing
Turkey in Savory Gravy: 1. Meat By-Products, 2. Poultry By-Products, 3. Chicken, 4. Turkey, 5. Water for Processing
Salmon in Savory Gravy: 1. Meat By-Products, 2. Poultry By-Products, 3. Chicken, 4. Salmon, 5. Water for Processing
Tuna in Savory Gravy: 1. Meat By-Products, 2. Poultry By-Products, 3. Chicken, 4. Tuna, 5. Water for Processing
Variety is the spice of life, and it’s no different when it comes to cat food. Send your cat on a flavor adventure with this variety feast that offers four mouthwatering recipes featuring poultry, fish, and meat. This pate is prepared in extra gravy for extra moisture and extra yum in every single bite. The tender texture of the food is another plus that make these recipes more desirable. Each variety is packed with a blend of high-quality ingredients and complete nutrition to support your paw-tner’s overall health and wellness. The variety pack features flavors, including chicken, turkey, salmon, and tuna.
7. Wellness CORE Signature Selects Flaked Skipjack Tuna & Wild Salmon Entrée in Broth Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Tuna, 2. Tuna Broth, 3. Mackerel, 4. Salmon, 5. Water for Processing
This recipe does absolute justice with the brand name. This signature Wellness Core recipe is made with the delicious flavors of wild salmon and flaked skipjack tuna prepared in broth. The grain-free formula is a delectable and holistic approach to your cat’s diet. The gourmet recipe is packed with taste and naturally delivers the variety and nutrition that your cat craves. This hand-made recipe includes delicate flakes of real tuna and many essential fatty acids to keep your cat’s coat and skin in peak condition. Loaded with flavors that your cat cannot resist, this food option is free from by-products, corn, wheat, and soy.
8. Purina Muse Natural Ocean Whitefish & Mackerel Recipe Grain-Free Pate Canned Cat Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Ocean Whitefish, 2. Chicken, 3. Liver, 4. Fish Broth, 5. Mackerel
This recipe by Purina includes carefully sourced ingredients such as chicken, ocean whitefish, liver, and mackerel to deliver a flavorful meal your picky eater cannot refuse. Prepared in fish broth, this perfect recipe with prominent seafood and poultry flavors also contains high-quality vegetables to add essential hydration to the bowl. This complete recipe has everything your furry paw-tner needs to feel and look his best. Serve your little kitty a bowl filled with the goodness of unique flavors, antioxidants, taurine, minerals, and vitamins.
9. PetGuard Fish, Chicken & Liver Dinner Canned Cat Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken Broth, 2. Mackerel, 3. Chicken, 4. Chicken Liver, 5. Ocean Fish
The PetGuard canned cat food is a protein-packed recipe that’s enhanced with minerals and vitamins for your cat’s overall wellbeing. The highlight of this recipe is its delicious blend of flavors that make it a delectable option your kitty cannot resist. Your cat will love this flavorful meal loaded with the real flavors of liver and chicken. Other healthy ingredients include kelp and rice. All these ingredients add flavor and support your cat’s healthy heart, skin and coat, liver function, and aids in nourishing their whole body with the goodness they deserve.
10. Instinct Original Grain-Free Pate Real Rabbit Recipe Wet Canned Cat Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Rabbit, 2. Pork, 3. Pork Liver, 4. Pork Broth, 5. Ground Flaxseeds
Instinct Original never fails to surprise me when it comes to featuring the best and most flavorful ingredients for pet food. This recipe contains real rabbit, pork, and pork liver, prepared in pork broth for flavors that even the pickiest eater will love. The protein-rich recipe is free from grains and adheres to Instinct’s belief in a raw diet that makes this blend unique. Unlock your feline’s potential to thrive on food that offers complete nutrition with real meat, fruits, and vegetables. The pate texture is not only delicious but packed with natural omega fatty acids.
11. Hill’s Science Diet Kitten Healthy Cuisine Roasted Chicken & Rice Medley Canned Food – Case of 24
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken Broth, 2. Chicken, 3. Pork Liver, 4. Carrots, 5. Wheat Gluten
If you’re looking for a tasty meal for your young kitten who’s not impressed so easily, this recipe is your best bet. Carefully designed with expertise, Hill’s Science Diet is a healthy formula that your kitten needs during his early development and growth stage. This recipe does not include any harmful preservatives or artificial flavors and is full of real roasted chicken and rice medley flavors. This one is a wholesome recipe that offers the perfect balance of nutrition and taste to your beloved little kitten.
12. Taste of the Wild Rocky Mountain Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken Meal, 2. Peas, 3. Sweet Potatoes, 4. Chicken Fat, 5. Pea Protein
This natural recipe by the Taste of the Wild is a balanced diet formulated with high-quality and delicious ingredients is one of the best-tasting cat foods that cats cannot refuse. This grain-free option includes other delectable ingredients to add to the overall flavors of the meal and has the flavors of smoked salmon and roasted venison. The formula is rich in natural antioxidants to support digestion and general wellbeing. Serve your kitty a delicious meal that will keep bringing them back for more.
13. Wellness CORE Simply Shreds Natural Grain-Free Wet Cat Food Topper Variety Pack of 4
Top 5 Ingredients:
Boneless Chicken Recipe: 1. Chicken, 2. Chicken Broth, 3. Water for Processing
Chicken and Mackerel Recipe: 1. Chicken, 2. Chicken Broth, 3. Mackerel, 4. Water for Processing
Tuna and Shrimp Recipe: 1. Tuna, 2. Fish Broth, 3. Water for Processing, 4. Shrimp
Wild Salmon and Tuna Recipe: 1. Salmon, 2. Fish Broth, 3. Water for Processing, 4. Tuna
Fill your cat’s bowl with maximum nutrition and deliciousness with this variety pack loaded with flavors by Wellness CORE. The texture has tender shreds of chicken, tuna, salmon, and mackerel in broth for added flavor and as a perfect wet-food-topper to make every food delicious for a picky eater. The chicken and seafood diet with limited ingredients is natural and grain-free and is rich in taste to boost the flavors of any meal, which is a must-have if you have a picky eater at home.
Buyer’s Guide
Are you dealing with a cat that’s too picky about food? This little guide can help you understand the reasons and figure out possible solutions to feeding the pickiest eater.
Why Is My Cat So Picky?
Cats are creatures of habit. They prefer following a routine and are particular about what they like or don’t like. There are many reasons why your cat could be giving you a hard time eating her food. Here are the most common reasons:
Neophobia
Neophobia is a term used for the irrational fear one feels about new things, and it is as common in cats as in humans. If you suddenly switch your cat’s food, it may consider the unfamiliar taste as dangerous and confusing, especially if it’s not used to eating different kinds of food.
On the other hand, some cats enjoy trying out new varieties to break the monotony. If your cat is refusing a new type of food and if you need to introduce better nutrition to your cat, take a gradual approach. Try mixing the new food with the old one first and slowly replace the whole thing to see how your cat reacts.
Wrong Temperature or Texture
Is your cat’s dry food too stale or wet food too cold or dry? Just like humans, cats have preferences when it comes to their food. They may prefer a certain texture or temperature and may hold out until they get what they want.
If you’re still trying to figure out your cat’s preferences, start feeding warm food to your cat. Add warm broth or water and see if that’s the way your kitty prefers. If your cat is not too fond of wet food texture, the right kibble will do the trick. It is all about understanding your kitty’s preferences.
Not Hungry
Cats love to sleep. They can sleep 12 to 16 hours a day, which means that most indoor cats don’t expend a lot of energy, and that’s why they need very limited calories.
If your cat is refusing food or being picky, it could be she isn’t hungry. They have low caloric needs, and a few small meals are sufficient to keep them going. Do not panic if this is their regular feeding schedule. Consult a vet for any possible health problems if your cat has suddenly started to refuse food.
Health Problems and Allergies
Allergies are very common in cats, especially when it comes to some ingredients in their food. If they experience a reaction to a certain food, they’d probably refuse it the next time.
If you can’t figure out the actual reason for your cat’s new picky eating habits, it is best to consult a vet.
How to Feed a Fussy Eater
Here are some cool tips to help you feed your fussy kitty:
- Offer more varieties of wet food – especially seafood flavors (the stinkier, the better)
- Add canned anchovies or tuna water to their food
- Add low-sodium chicken broth to their food – kibble or canned
- Warm the food before serving
- Use parmesan cheese as a food topper in moderate quantity to pique your cat’s appetite and interest
- Use wet food toppers with shreds and chunks to add flavor and texture
FAQs
1. What do I do if my cat starts refusing her regular food?
Some cats have very distinct preferences when it comes to their food. They can be particular about the flavor of the food or texture, or both. If your cat has become a fussy eater, consider trying a new food or changing the texture. If your cat is turning their nose up to a certain food, it could be because it is stale or spoiled. If you have been feeding dry food exclusively, try introducing some wet food options and vice versa.
2. How do I figure out my cat’s favorite food?
Meat-based foods are not only more delicious but also more nutritious with higher protein content. Food with cooked chicken, beef, turkey, lean deli meats, and even seafood are some great options to introduce. If your cat is a picky eater, try offering a few different flavors and see which one he likes the most. That’s the best way to find out your cat’s favorite food.
3. Can I feed wet food to my cat every day?
Yes, you can feed wet food to your cat daily. For feeding recommendations, it is best to seek assistance from a vet. An adult average-size cat should be fed 3-ounce of food per 3 to 3 ½ pounds of their body weight as a general rule. This amount needs to be adjusted if you also feed them dry kibble.
4. Do cats get bored eating the same thing every day?
Just like humans, cats can get bored with the same food every day. It’s best to offer a variety of food to keep your cat excited about mealtime. Another reason to do this is that it helps prevent certain health problems and allergies. If they continue with the same diet for an extended period, they often develop allergies to certain ingredients in that food.
