Cat Wellness
Why Is My Cat So Fussy With Food? Common Reasons and What to Do
Why Is My Cat So Fussy With Food? Common Reasons and What to Do

Why Are Cats So Fussy?

Cats are creatures of habit and have an evolutionary tendency to be cautious eaters. This behaviour, called neophobia, is a survival mechanism to avoid spoiled or unfamiliar food in the wild.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Constantly switching foods can make fussy behaviour worse.

  • Leaving food out all day decreases interest — cats do better on set meal times.

  • Feeding too many treats reduces hunger for actual meals.

How to Transition to New Food (The Right Way)

Changing your cat’s food too quickly can trigger rejection. Here's a recommended schedule:

Day 1–2: 75% old food, 25% new
Day 3–4: 50% old, 50% new
Day 5–6: 25% old, 75% new
Day 7+: 100% new food

Warming the food for 10–15 seconds in the microwave or mixing with a sprinkle of freeze-dried treats (like Pikko’s freeze dried topper) can also help boost acceptance.

Why Fresh Food Works for Fussy Cats

Many supermarket foods are sprayed with artificial flavour enhancers, which can make the transition to natural food tough. But once your cat adjusts, the benefits of fresh — better digestion, healthier weight, shinier coat — are worth it.

Bonus Tip: Rotate Flavours

Rotating between beef, chicken, turkey, or fish recipes keeps your cat engaged and reduces food boredom, especially with a fresh food brand like Pikko.