Cats Are Born Food Critics
Cats can be picky eaters. If you change ingredients or cooking methods, they might refuse to eat. Some will only want their favorite food. Feeding too many treats can also make them choosy about meals.

Reason 1: Not to Their Taste

Cats are very strict about food. Even small changes in flavor, moisture, or protein levels can make it feel like a completely different meal to them. Common causes include:

• Same Food for Too Long
  If a cat eats the same thing every day, it may start to reject new foods and resist trying anything different.

• Food Isn’t Fresh or Is Too Cold
  Freshness is a big deal for cats. Wet or fresh food left at room temperature for more than 20 minutes can change in taste and spoil. Cats may consider it “bad” and won’t eat it again — plus it can grow bacteria.
  They also prefer food between 25°C and 35°C (similar to the body temperature of prey in nature). If it’s colder than 25°C, some cats think it’s not fresh enough.

Reason 2: Incorrect Feeding Methods

• Free-Feeding
  Free-feeding means leaving food out all day so your cat can eat whenever it wants. This can make cats lose interest in food and lower their appetite. If a cat is never truly hungry, refusing food might look like picky eating — even if it’s just because they’re full.

• Too Many Treats
  For cats, treats are like potato chips for humans — extra tasty but not very healthy. They often have stronger flavors and are more tempting than regular meals. Treats should be rare rewards, not an all-you-can-eat snack. Just like kids, cats who eat too many treats will become pickier about their main meals.

• Poor Transition Between Foods
  Switching food too quickly — or offering too many different types at once (like going from dry to wet, or wet to raw) — can make cats suspicious. They might see the new food as unsafe or inedible, leading to refusal and picky behavior.

Reason 3: Dirty or Uncomfortable Food Bowls

If your cat’s bowl isn’t washed daily, lingering smells can lower their appetite. Bacteria can also grow and make them sick. The bowl’s location matters too — if it’s near the litter box or in an area with unpleasant odors, your cat may avoid eating there.

Some cats also dislike the feeling of their whiskers touching the sides of the bowl. If the bowl is too small or too deep, this “whisker stress” can make them refuse food.

《4 Tips to Improve Your Cat’s Picky Eating Habits》