Tips to Stimulate Your Cat’s Appetite

Having a sick cat is very stressful especially because cats are great at hiding pain and illness. If your cat doesn’t feel well and isn’t eating, here are some tips to whet their appetite and get them to eat some food so they can start feeling better.

1. Feed High-Quality Food: Make sure to feed your cat high-quality, nutritious food that suits their age, health condition, and preferences. Cats should eat a diet that is high in protein and low in carbs since they are obligate carnivores. 
2. Variety: Offer a variety of flavors, textures, and consistencies to see what your cat will try. Sometimes, cats get bored eating the same meal every day and a change in diet can pique their interest. If they’re used to pate, try flaked or if they prefer kibble, see if they like air-dried food.
3. Warm Up their Wet Food: Heating up your cat's wet food can enhance its aroma, making it more enticing to your cat. A few seconds in the microwave will do the trick.
4. Feed Small Meals More Frequently: Some cats prefer smaller, more frequent meals rather than one or two larger ones, especially if they’re not feeling well. If your cat will only eat a few bites, offer them a small meal every hour or so.
5. Keep Them Company: Some cats will be more inclined to eat when they’re not feeling well if someone is sitting with them, talking to them, and petting them. Some encouragement can go a long way.
6. Hand-Feed Them: Hand-feed your cat small amounts of food to encourage them to eat. If they’re not feeling great, leaning over into the bowl or standing up may be too much for them. Laying down while being hand fed some tasty treats may be easier for them to manage.
7. Try Food Toppers: Add a small amount of something tasty like mousse treats or tuna on top of your cat's food to enhance the flavor and entice them into having a few bites. 
8. Avoid Stress During Mealtime: Try to keep a stress-free environment for your cat during meal times. If another pet is intimidating them or there is a lot of noise in the home while they are being fed, they may refuse to eat since they are feeling overwhelmed.
9. Schedule a Vet Visit: If your cat isn’t eating, it's always best to consult your vet. An exam can help to rule out any health issues.