Hi all!
So recently Winnies seemingly pickiness is getting worse. Usually I could get her to finish off cans with hot water, microwave, or milk. But now she only likes things from a freshly opened can. And it can be pretty much anything as long as it is pate (she hates cuts / meaty pieces), she will eat that first serving with gusto. However, she really only eats maybe 2 teaspoons (she’s 3.5lb), so a can can last as long as 24 hours. Getting her to finish the can just isnt happening, I have been having to toss 1/3 to 1/2 of the cans out (3oz cans) and opening fresh ones because she’ll refuse it for so long. I currently mix dry with it to make things more affordable, but I have tried without dry and it makes no difference.
At first I was storing the food in the cans covered in plastic but I bought tiny 3oz containers thinking it would help trap the smell and what not and the food goes straight in there and into the fridge. Leaving the food out doesn’t help either; if I put too much and she doesn’t finish she won’t want to eat it later but sometimes will. I’ve tried hot water, milk, microwave. Often she will refuse the food the second time and try to bury it but if I get a tiny bit on my finger and stick it to her nose she will lick it and it’s 50/50 on if she’ll go to eat then.
What else can I do? Is she just not hungry enough? How long can I let an almost 5mo kitten refuse to eat? I typically feed her 4-5 times a day, but small amounts. I leave dry out overnight, but she doesn’t like that either and rarely eats any (but sometimes). If she wouldn’t eat her meal before bed I will leave it on my nightstand and most of it is usually eaten by morning. I do worry about leaving wet out that long but so far it’s been okay.
I’ve tried many foods thinking she just didn’t like them but I think she likes them only 100% “fresh”. She’ll eat anything new with enthusiasm, and then not want to finish it after it’s “old”.
Advice to overcome this would be great! I wish I was made of money but having to throw out so much food is getting really worrisome if it continues into adult hood and needing more food! I’ll sometimes let my dog have what she won’t eat so it’s not a complete waste but cat food is calorie dense and she’s on a diet, lol.
So recently Winnies seemingly pickiness is getting worse. Usually I could get her to finish off cans with hot water, microwave, or milk. But now she only likes things from a freshly opened can. And it can be pretty much anything as long as it is pate (she hates cuts / meaty pieces), she will eat that first serving with gusto. However, she really only eats maybe 2 teaspoons (she’s 3.5lb), so a can can last as long as 24 hours. Getting her to finish the can just isnt happening, I have been having to toss 1/3 to 1/2 of the cans out (3oz cans) and opening fresh ones because she’ll refuse it for so long. I currently mix dry with it to make things more affordable, but I have tried without dry and it makes no difference.
At first I was storing the food in the cans covered in plastic but I bought tiny 3oz containers thinking it would help trap the smell and what not and the food goes straight in there and into the fridge. Leaving the food out doesn’t help either; if I put too much and she doesn’t finish she won’t want to eat it later but sometimes will. I’ve tried hot water, milk, microwave. Often she will refuse the food the second time and try to bury it but if I get a tiny bit on my finger and stick it to her nose she will lick it and it’s 50/50 on if she’ll go to eat then.
What else can I do? Is she just not hungry enough? How long can I let an almost 5mo kitten refuse to eat? I typically feed her 4-5 times a day, but small amounts. I leave dry out overnight, but she doesn’t like that either and rarely eats any (but sometimes). If she wouldn’t eat her meal before bed I will leave it on my nightstand and most of it is usually eaten by morning. I do worry about leaving wet out that long but so far it’s been okay.
I’ve tried many foods thinking she just didn’t like them but I think she likes them only 100% “fresh”. She’ll eat anything new with enthusiasm, and then not want to finish it after it’s “old”.
Advice to overcome this would be great! I wish I was made of money but having to throw out so much food is getting really worrisome if it continues into adult hood and needing more food! I’ll sometimes let my dog have what she won’t eat so it’s not a complete waste but cat food is calorie dense and she’s on a diet, lol.
Just found that out a few weeks ago and my stress levels are greatly reduced lol. I just hope I can find something that works for Winnie too. 
