Skip to Content

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Why Is My Cat Not Eating Wet Food – Concern Or Normal?

Why Is My Cat Not Eating Wet Food – Concern Or Normal?

It’s understandable to worry when your cat turns their nose up at wet food. After all, wet food is supposed to be a treat. If your cat isn’t eating wet food, it’s natural to wonder why. So this probably leaves you wondering, why is my cat not eating wet food?

Cats won’t eat wet food because they don’t like the flavor. Other reasons include a low appetite, not recognizing the food or a recent change from a dry food diet. Low appetite can also be a sign of a variety of health issues in cats.

Before you panic that your cat isn’t eating enough or needs to go to the vet, let’s look at the most common reasons your cat might not eat their wet food. 

7 Reasons Your Cat Is Not Eating Wet Food

There are many reasons why cats won’t eat wet food, but some are only applicable to specific cats. Here’s a list of the 7 most common reasons your cat is not eating wet food.

They’re Already Full From Eating Kibble

If you feed your cat a mixed diet of wet food and kibble, it’s important to present your cat with wet food when they’re likely hungry. If they’ve already filled up on kibble, most cats won’t eat much of their wet food. They may nibble at it or come back and eat more later, but most cats don’t like to overeat

They Don’t Know That Wet Food Is Food

Especially if you’re presenting a newly adopted cat or kitten with wet food for the first time, they may honestly not realize that it’s food or that it’s okay for them to eat. This is especially common among cats that have tried to eat human foods like scrambled eggs or soups and have been told no. 

Most cats will figure out that wet food is for them with a little encouragement if they need any at all. Alternatively, you can mix a little familiar kibble in with the wet food to encourage them to start eating. 

Your Cat May Have A Sore Tooth

Cats can be prone to dental problems and may get pickier about their food if their teeth hurt. Dental issues are prevalent among older cats and cats that primarily eat kibble since kibble stresses their teeth and jaw. 

If your cat starts refusing wet food and other foods more often over time, dental issues may be to blame. Please schedule an appointment with your vet to get them evaluated; your cat may need cleaning or even a tooth pulled. 

They Don’t Like The Flavor

We already mentioned that cats could be picky eaters, which is one of the most common reasons for them to refuse food. If your cat doesn’t like the flavor, they won’t be very interested in eating more. Try a variety of food flavors until you find one that your cat seems to enjoy eating. 

Your Cat Might Feel Sick

Like you don’t want to eat when you have an upset stomach, neither does your cat. Your cat might not want to eat much for a couple of days if they catch a virus or have a stomach ache. Leaving a little food in their bowl is okay now and then, but if your cat is consistently eating less than normal, you should take them to the vet. 

They Don’t Like The Texture

Some cats develop a texture preference when it comes to wet food. Our cats love gravy-rich shreds and canned fish flakes in the broth but are less fond of pate-style wet foods. Consider playing around with different textures as well as flavors until you have a combination your cats enjoy. 

Your Cat Might Be Bored With Their Food

If you feed the same flavors and textures of wet food regularly, your cat might just be bored with their food. Not all cats get bored, but they can refuse to eat when they are. Usually, it’s the pickiest eaters that get bored with repetitive food.

What Do You Do If Your Cat Won’t Eat Wet Food

If your cat is still eating kibble regularly, you probably don’t need to worry about your cat being sick, even if they refuse wet foods. Instead of worrying that your cat has a medical issue, try changing up the flavor or texture of their food. 

If changing the flavor doesn’t work, consider mixing some kibble in with the wet food or even using treats or a special topper to make it more appealing. 

The chances are that your cat will eat wet food more eagerly after the first few times you get them to try it. 

If your cat still doesn’t eat, your cat might just not like wet food. You can use kibbles, broths, and even fresh cat food from the refrigerated section of your pet store to help make sure they’re getting a complete diet. 

Why Is My Cat So Picky About Wet Food

Cats are generally picky eaters, to begin with. Wet food can be a strange addition to their diet that they aren’t interested in at first. Wet food might also seem smelly or be too strongly flavored for your cat. Some flavors, like beef, may also be too fatty for your cat. 

It’s hard to know exactly why your cat is picky about wet food, but trying new flavors and textures, as well as different brands of wet food, can help you find options they enjoy. 

What Causes Sudden Loss Of Appetite In Cats

Sudden loss of appetite can be seriously concerning for cat owners. It’s important to monitor your cat for other signs that there might be something wrong, including vomiting, lethargy, or rubbing their face. 

Chances are, though, if your cat has a loss of appetite for a day or two, they’ve just caught a cold or similar virus. 

Other common causes are dental issues and even hairballs. 

However, if your cat’s loss of appetite lasts more than 48 hours or shows other signs of being ill, it’s important to contact your vet and bring them in for an exam. Your vet may be able to diagnose the problem and get them feeling better faster. 

Loss of appetite can be especially problematic if your cat stops eating shortly after swallowing or showing interest in something they shouldn’t eat.

If your cat has been previously diagnosed with pica or has eaten hair ties and other non-food items before, it’s even more important to get them to a vet. 

Can Cats Get Bored Of Their Food

Cats can get bored of their food. Picky eaters especially might decide that they are bored with a flavor, especially if they get the same flavors all the time. 

If your cat seems uninterested in their food when you put it down but looked interested in starting, it might be a flavor issue. Try changing flavors with the same brand of food. If that doesn’t work, consider switching brands or textures as well as flavor. 

Is It Okay If My Cat Only Eats Dry Food

Yes, it’s okay if your cat only eats dry food. It’s not ideal for your cat to eat only dry food, but they can still be healthy on dry food alone.

The biggest problem with feeding exclusively dry food is that it can be dehydrating, so you need to make sure your cat has access to clean water in several locations to keep them hydrated. 

Kibble can also stress your cat’s teeth, so they may need more dental care if they eat dry food exclusively. 

How Long Can Cats Go Without Wet Food

As long as your cat has regular access to dry food and plenty of water, they can go their whole lives without wet food. However, that doesn’t mean that’s the best option for your pet. Wet food can help keep your cat hydrated, and some nutrients may be more bio-available in wet food than kibble. 

How Do I Introduce My Cat To Wet Food

Try introducing your cat to a small amount of wet food at their normal mealtime, without kibble. They may be more curious and inclined to try the wet food if it’s mealtime and they are already hungry. 

If that doesn’t work, try mixing a little wet food in with your cat’s regular kibble or a favorite treat to help make it more appealing. If your cat eats the mixed food, keep doing that with gradually less kibble until eating plain wet food. 

For especially stubborn eaters, you can also try smearing a little wet food gravy on your cat’s paw. They’ll lick it off to clean the paw and may discover that the gravy is tasty at the same time. 

Things To Consider

Cats are notoriously picky eaters. You may even have been told to focus on choosing a food your cat will eat over choosing a food that’s well-made or that uses high-quality ingredients. Plenty of cat owners reason that a healthy diet starts with making sure your cat is getting enough calories. 

While wet food is considered an important part of your cat’s diet, it’s not critical. As long as your cat is getting plenty of calories and nutrients from their kibble or other food sources, you don’t need to force them to eat wet food. 

It’s also important to remember that not all wet food is created equal. Some brands use high-quality ingredients that are well balanced for your cat’s diet.

Others use lower quality cuts of meat and filler ingredients that don’t offer a lot of nutrition. While some people think that quality matters less than getting your cat to eat in the first place, it’s better if you can give your cat higher quality food. 

If your cat is a picky eater, you may want to stick to poultry and fish flavors. These are closer to the flavors your cat would get from hunting in the wild than red meat like venison, beef, or lamb. That makes it more likely that your cat will dig in without extra encouragement.