Switching your cat to Pikko 

First meals, extra help for fussy cats and answers along the way 

Some cats love their first bowl of Pikko. Others need a little encouragement before a new food feels familiar. Wherever your cat starts, we’re here to help them find a fresh meal they enjoy. 

Start with the first-bowl tips below. If your cat is already happily eating full Pikko meals and their tummy is comfortable, keep going. The slower steps are there for cats who need them. 

Getting started with their first bowl 

1. Pick a good time 

Choose a normal mealtime when your cat is settled and you’ll be around to see how they get on. Keep their usual food on hand during the switch. If you’re about to travel or move home, keep Pikko frozen until things are calmer. 

Defrost one pouch in the fridge and leave the rest in the freezer. You don’t need to open all four recipes at once. 

2. Choose a familiar favourite 

Start with a protein your cat already enjoys. Try Chicken for a poultry lover, Fish for a fish fan, or Beef or Pork if those are favourites. If you’re unsure, Chicken is a straightforward place to begin, provided it suits their dietary needs. 

Stick with one recipe for the first few meals so your cat can get to know it. There’s plenty of time to explore the rest. 

3. Make it inviting 

Spoon a small serving into a clean bowl and take the fridge chill off. Stir in a little warm water, or gently warm the food in a microwave-safe bowl in short bursts, stirring and checking that it feels lukewarm before serving. Never microwave the pouch. 

Add a light sprinkle of the freeze-dried chicken breast topper included in your box. Crush it into fine crumbs so your cat gets a little with each bite. 

4. Give them a chance to try 

Put the bowl in their usual quiet feeding spot and let them investigate. Some cats get straight into it; others sniff, wander away and return. Give them a little space rather than repeatedly bringing them back to the bowl. 

Offer Pikko on its own for this first taste. If they leave it, give them their familiar meal and use the slower introduction at the next mealtime. There’s no need to leave them without food to encourage the switch. For a known fussy eater, you can start with the slower introduction straight away. 

If your cat loves it straight away 

That’s a great start. Keep serving their favourite and build towards full Pikko meals over the next few days, reducing their usual food as Pikko takes its place. You don’t need to spend two weeks on tiny tastes. 

If they’ve already switched completely, are eating enough and their tummy is comfortable, keep going. There’s no need to add old food back just to follow a chart. 

Gradual changes can help avoid tummy upsets. If stools soften, slow down. For a sensitive stomach or medical feeding plan, use the gentler approach or follow your vet’s advice. 

If they need a slower introduction 

A sniff and a walk-away doesn’t mean Pikko is off the menu. A new smell or texture can take a little getting used to, especially if your cat has eaten the same food for years. 

Step 1. Start with a little beside their usual food 

Put a teaspoon of Pikko beside their familiar meal, keeping the foods separate. For a very cautious cat, start with a pea-sized amount in a second dish. That way, they can explore without their whole meal changing. 

If your cat likes mixed meals, you can blend a little into a small portion of their usual food instead. If they reject the mixture, go back to separate dishes and offer an untouched familiar meal. 

Step 2. Repeat what works 

Offer the same recipe in the same way for a few meals. Sniffing or licking can be a first step towards familiarity, but look for food actually being eaten before reducing their usual meal. 

If they’re eating the small amount happily, add a little more next time. If it stays untouched, keep their normal meals going and try one of the fussy-eater tips below. Don’t increase the new food just because another day has passed. 

Step 3. Gradually make Pikko the meal 

Once small tastes are being eaten regularly, increase Pikko while reducing their usual food over several days. If a schedule helps, use this seven-day example. Stay at a stage longer if needed; sensitive cats may need a couple of weeks or more. Cats already eating full Pikko meals comfortably can skip it.

Use proportions of each food’s recommended daily amount. For example, half Pikko means half their Pikko daily ration plus half their usual food’s daily ration. Don’t swap dry and fresh food gram for gram. If Pikko is left behind, top up with familiar food so they still eat enough. 

Step 4. Build around their favourite 

Once they’re settled, introduce the other recipes one at a time. Offer a little of the next recipe while keeping their favourite in the routine. Give each a few calm attempts before deciding. 

One favourite is enough to get started. Each Pikko recipe is complete and balanced, so your cat doesn’t have to like all four to enjoy a full fresh-food routine. Tell us which they love so we can help with the next box. 

A little encouragement can go a long way 

You chose fresh because you want the best for your cat. Pikko’s gently cooked meals bring together human-grade ingredients, moisture and complete, balanced nutrition to support their everyday health. Good nutrition supports healthy skin, a glossy coat and the energy they need to enjoy being a cat. 

For a hesitant eater, a little warmth, a familiar flavour or a different texture can be worth another try. The goal is a meal they look forward to and a routine that’s easy for you to keep up. 

If they’re refusing their usual food too, or seem unwell, contact their vet promptly. The advice about taking your time applies while your cat is eating enough overall. 

Extra help for fussy cats 

You’ve warmed the food, sprinkled the topper and put the bowl down. Your cat has other ideas. It can be frustrating, but one untouched bowl doesn’t tell us how the whole trial will go. 

If they’re happily eating their usual meals, keep the next attempt small and simple. Start with the tip that best matches what you’re seeing. Repeat a successful serving method instead of changing everything at once. 

Try these first:

Warm it gently 

Food straight from the fridge may be less inviting than a room-temperature or gently warmed meal. Add a teaspoon of warm water to a small serving and stir, adding a little more if needed. 

Alternatively, use a microwave-safe bowl and five-second bursts. Stir between bursts and check several spots for heat. The food should feel comfortably lukewarm, never hot. Warm only the portion you’re serving. If your cat prefers a milder aroma, try room temperature instead. 

Make the most of the chicken topper 

Crush a small amount of topper into fine crumbs and dust it over the food. If your cat picks it off, press some crumbs into the surface of a teaspoon-sized taste so they’re more likely to try the meal too. 

It’s fine to keep using a little topper while it helps. Once meals are going well, you can gradually use less over several servings. There’s no need to stop it suddenly when the trial ends. 

Keep all treats and toppers together below 10% of daily calories and follow the topper’s serving guidance. The meal should provide most of their nutrition. For a chicken allergy or prescribed elimination diet, check with their vet before using the topper. 

If chicken isn’t appealing, try a tiny amount of a familiar cat treat or a few crushed pieces from their normal kibble allowance. Use one addition at a time. Avoid milk, human gravy and seasoned stocks, especially anything containing onion or garlic. 

Match the texture they already like 

For a pâté lover, mash Pikko thoroughly with a fork and a little warm water. A small, clean blender can give an even smoother finish. 

For a cat who prefers sauce, stir in a little water to loosen the meal. Start small so you don’t end up with a bowl of liquid and very little food. Check that they eat the meat as well as licking the juices. 

For a cat who dislikes a dense portion, break it into smaller, soft pieces and spread them lightly across the bowl. Pikko is minced food, so aim for a comfortable texture rather than trying to turn it into long shreds. 

Stir the natural meat juices and fat through the meal. Gentle warming can soften chilled fat. Those juices and fats belong in the recipe, so don’t routinely drain or pick them out. 

Keep familiar food separate if mixing puts them off 

Some cats will happily eat a mixture. Others notice that their usual food smells different and reject the whole bowl. 

If that happens, offer their normal meal unchanged and place a tiny Pikko taste in a separate dish. If even the nearby smell puts them off, move the new dish a little farther away. You can bring it closer as they become comfortable. 

Give another recipe a chance 

Try the same recipe over a few meals, then try a different one if it’s still going untouched. A cat who leaves Chicken may be much more interested in Fish, Beef or Pork. 

Offer one new recipe at a time so you can see what they prefer. You don’t need to serve all four together. When you find a winner, keep it as the familiar option while trying other recipes later. 

If they still need encouragement 

Serve smaller meals more often 

A large portion can be more than your cat wants in one sitting. Split their daily allowance into smaller meals, keeping the total amount the same. You can serve more than twice a day if that suits their habits. 

For a cat used to grazing on kibble, begin with a small fresh-food opportunity alongside their normal routine. Move towards measured mealtimes gradually if helpful. Avoid filling them up with extra treats just before meals, but keep enough of the food they reliably eat available throughout the switch. 

Keep the setting calm 

Use a clean, shallow bowl or plate away from litter trays, loud appliances and busy walkways. Start in a familiar place. If that spot is noisy or another pet is hovering, try a quiet alternative. 

Most importantly, follow your cat’s response. Some prefer you to set the bowl down and leave them alone. Others eat more comfortably with you sitting quietly nearby. Keep it relaxed and avoid repeatedly moving the bowl towards their face. 

Try a little play before the meal 

If your cat enjoys play, a short game with a favourite toy can help make mealtime part of a familiar play-and-eat routine. Let them settle, then offer the food. Keep it gentle for older cats or those with mobility problems. 

Give each cat their own space 

In a multi-cat home, feed cats separately at first so each can make up their own mind. Keep dogs and children away during meals, and check that one cat isn’t blocking another’s bowl. 

Watch what each cat eats. An empty bowl isn’t always proof that the cat you intended it for had dinner. One may be ready for full Pikko meals while another still needs small tastes. 

Make the next attempt easy to repeat 

If warming Chicken with a light topper dusting led to a few bites, try that again. Familiarity takes repeated opportunities, and changing the recipe, bowl and texture at every meal makes it harder to see what helps. 

A quick note or before-and-after photo can be useful: which recipe, how you served it and roughly how much was eaten. Send it to us if you’d like help choosing the next step. 

If your cat still hasn’t eaten Pikko after five to seven days 

Get in touch while continuing their normal meals. Tell us what they usually eat, which recipes you’ve tried and whether they have tasted Pikko at all. We can help you choose a different recipe or serving method, and check the next order timing. 

If every attempt has become frustrating, take a day or two off from offering Pikko while feeding their usual complete food. Then try a fresh, tiny portion in a relaxed setting. A short break can take the pressure off both of you. 

Some cats need several weeks to get comfortable with a new food. You can keep offering small tastes while they’re eating enough of their normal diet, maintaining their weight and otherwise well. You’re helping them become familiar with it, not waiting for hunger to make them give in. 

If there’s still no progress after two or three weeks, let us review what you’ve tried together. A different recipe, some more time or a mixed-feeding routine may suit them better. If they’re eating none of it, we can help adjust or stop future orders so food doesn’t build up. 

If they only eat the topper or lick the liquid 

Try a smaller serving with less water and a finer texture, then press a little topper into the top layer. Keep their familiar complete food available until the meal itself is being eaten. Topper and a few licks aren’t enough to replace dinner. 

Sniffing and licking may show that the new food is becoming familiar. Scratching around the bowl doesn’t reliably tell you whether they like it. The useful sign is that they start eating more of the meal. 

If they liked it at first and then stopped 

Offer a fresh portion of the recipe they liked, prepared the way that worked before. Check how long the pouch has been open, whether the food is too cold and whether you’re serving more than they want at once. 

Think about changes at home too: another pet, a different mealtime, hot weather or a noisy feeding spot. If they’re still eating normally otherwise, try the familiar serving method for the next few meals. If their appetite has dropped overall, don’t assume it’s the weather or boredom; speak with their vet. 

If they seem hungry but struggle to eat 

Dropping food, drooling, chewing on one side or approaching the bowl but being unable to eat can be signs of discomfort. Arrange a vet check. For older cats, keep the bowl easy to reach on a stable surface and avoid making them jump up to eat. 

If they’re eating less of everything 

Offer their usual food promptly and contact their vet if they continue refusing, miss meals repeatedly or eat much less than normal. Don’t force food into their mouth or smear it on their paws or nose. 

An adult cat eating nothing for around 24 hours needs urgent veterinary attention. Seek help sooner if they seem unwell or you’re concerned. Kittens, diabetic cats and cats with existing illness need advice promptly when they refuse meals; don’t wait for a full day. 

We can help with the order separately while you focus on your cat. Thank you for putting so much care into their meals. 

Common questions during the switch 

What if my cat has a sensitive tummy? 

Use the gradual introduction, starting with a smaller amount and spending longer at each stage. Keep one new recipe in the routine and choose a protein they already tolerate. There’s no single recipe that is gentlest for every cat. 

An isolated, slightly softer stool in an otherwise bright cat who is eating normally is a reason to pause the increase and monitor. Go back to the last comfortable balance if needed. Ask their vet if symptoms recur, persist or worry you. 

Repeated vomiting, frequent watery diarrhoea, blood, pain, marked tiredness or difficulty keeping water down need prompt veterinary care. Collapse, breathing trouble or straining with little or no urine are emergencies. Don’t fast your cat, add medicines or keep serving a suspect food to test it again. 

How do I switch a kitten? 

If your kitten has just come home, keep their familiar food while they settle and begin once they’re eating confidently. Growing kittens need complete food suitable for growth, with small meals offered frequently. Younger kittens often need three or more meals a day, depending on age and veterinary advice. 

Introduce Pikko gradually and watch their appetite and litter tray. If they’ve already switched comfortably, keep their successful routine. A light sprinkle of chicken topper can help first tastes, but it shouldn’t replace complete meals. 

Keep their weight and feeding details up to date as they grow. Don’t automatically reduce food at a particular birthday. Never leave a kitten without familiar food to encourage a switch, and seek veterinary advice promptly if they stop eating. 

What about a prescription diet or food allergy? 

Speak with their treating vet before changing a prescribed diet, including diets for kidney disease, diabetes, urinary issues or digestive disease. Check full ingredient lists when managing an allergy, and check before using the chicken topper on an elimination diet. 

We can provide recipe information while your vet guides their feeding and medication plan. 

How should I keep the food fresh? 

Keep pouches frozen and defrost them in the fridge. Pikko’s storage guidance is up to 8 months frozen, five days refrigerated unopened and two days refrigerated after opening. 

Keep the fridge at 4°C or below, mark when a pouch goes into the fridge and when it’s opened, and use clean utensils. Cover and refrigerate the unserved portion promptly. Thaw one pouch at a time during small-taste stages; don’t keep an opened pouch beyond its storage limit to avoid waste or refreeze it without specific guidance from us. 

For a tasting session, offer a small fresh portion and clear it after about 20–30 minutes, sooner in hot conditions. Discard served leftovers and offer a fresh portion next time. Keep the untouched remainder chilled instead of repeatedly warming the same bowl. Wash bowls after meals, and keep fresh drinking water available. 

Moist food shouldn’t sit out all day or overnight. This includes kibble once wet food or water has been added. If a pouch is swollen, leaking, smells unusual or has an uncertain cold-storage history, don’t serve it. Send us the recipe, batch details and photos. 

Does my cat need to eat all four recipes? 

No. Chicken, Fish, Beef or Pork can each be a favourite in their own right. If one is working well, build the next box around it. Introduce any other recipes in small amounts once meals are settled. 

Can I keep feeding Pikko alongside their other food? 

Yes. Mixed feeding can be an ongoing routine as well as a transition step. Use suitable complete foods and portions that together meet your cat’s needs. For example, half of the recommended Pikko daily ration can sit alongside half of their other food’s daily ration. Include treats and topper in the total. 

Your feeding plan should reflect your cat’s age, weight and condition. If you’re unsure how to combine foods, ask us for help with portions. Added water changes the texture, not the amount of food or nutrition they need to eat. 

What happens when the trial finishes? 

Your trial box is paid for when you order. Unless you change the schedule, the first full box is billed 14 days after that purchase. Both trial and full boxes usually take 2–5 days to arrive. The billing date is counted from ordering, not from the day the trial is delivered. 

If your cat is enjoying Pikko, check the next box has their favourite recipes and keep that routine going. If they need more time, or you still have plenty of food, change the next order date in your account or contact us before it processes. 

Check usable stock against how much they’re eating. Six pouches at half a pouch a day is roughly 12 days of food, but it will last less time as you increase Pikko. Allow for delivery after the next payment and keep suitable food available to cover the gap. 

How do I keep things going with the first full box? 

Keep the recipe, temperature and serving method that worked during the trial. A bigger box doesn’t mean you need to change a successful routine. If the topper is helping, keep using a little and reduce it gradually if you wish. 

Before the following box, check favourites, portions and how much food remains. Tell us how your cat is getting on, including anything you’ve noticed about their energy, coat, digestion or litter-tray habits. We love hearing about their progress. 

Thank you for choosing fresh. Whether your cat loved the first bowl or needed a little encouragement, finding a meal they enjoy is something to celebrate.