It’s in a cat’s nature to eat small quantities of food, often throughout the day. But some cats will turn their noses up to their food bowls entirely, making it difficult to feed them properly.
While some argue that this is simply because cats are picky eaters, the reality is that they have a very specific sense of taste. Indeed, while us humans have about 9,000 taste buds, cats only have around 470! If you want your cat to enjoy their food and to eat with appetite, you need to feed them a diet that is geared towards their sense of taste.
Foods such as Felix® Deliciously Sliced are steam cooked, high in protein and covered in a tasty jelly that cats love! Switching to such a diet could encourage your cat to eat more.
Why is it important that cats like the taste of what they eat?
Nutrition is such an important part of physical and mental health. Not only should your cat’s food be healthy, it should also be appealing to them. Here’s why:
Preventing malnutrition
Just like us, cats have specific dietary requirements that help them maintain their health and well-being. If they don't enjoy the taste of their food, they may refuse to eat or eat less than they should. This can lead to deficiencies in essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, which can result in malnutrition and related health problems.
Providing overall well-being
Just like humans, cats can experience pleasure and satisfaction from eating. A cat that enjoys their food is more likely to experience positive emotions, and to associate these emotions to their owner and to their home. Plus, a cat that enjoys their food has an overall higher quality of life, which contributes to their mental and emotional well-being.
What food tastes best to cats?
Cats have individual preferences when it comes to the taste of their food, so there is no one-size-fits-all answer. However, there are certain characteristics that tend to be appealing to most felines:
Meaty flavours
The “meaty” or “savoury” taste sensation is known as ‘umami’ and is the fifth basic element of taste. Because cats are obligate carnivores, they have a strong preference for umami flavours. In fact, they've developed a much broader sense of umami taste than humans. With this, they’re able to detect more types of amino acids. These are the essential building blocks of proteins and are abundant in meat.
Cats are more likely to enjoy eating meat-rich products, and it is possible that meat has a more complex and variable taste for cats than for us. As a result, foods that are rich in animal proteins, such as chicken, turkey, fish, or beef, are often more appealing to them.
Moist and juicy textures
Cats have a low thirst drive and typically obtain most of their hydration from their food. Wet foods, such as canned or pouched varieties, tend to have a higher moisture content, which can be more palatable to cats. Plus, many cats prefer pâté-style, shredded, chunky, or gravy-covered foods, which are typically found in pouched food products.
Strong smells
Cats rely heavily on their sense of smell when it comes to food. Strong-smelling foods, such as those with natural odours from quality ingredients, can be enticing to them.
Which cat food is good for fussy cats?
Felix® Deliciously Sliced is a perfect example of cat food that is geared towards a cat’s sense of taste. The food is high in protein and is perfectly steam cooked to harness the full potential of the ingredients and unlock their savoury flavours. The delicate, tender slices are served in an irresistibly tasty jelly.
Not only are these slices palatable to cats, they are also a source of essential omega-6 fatty acids with the right combination of vitamins to help keep your cat full of vitality. They satisfy 100% of your pet's daily needs when served according to the feeding guidelines.
Felix® Deliciously Sliced meals are available in a range of delicious recipes (including beef, chicken, salmon, tuna, cod, and plaice). They can be mixed with dry food to help your pet maintain a lean, healthy body weight.
Remember, just like us, each cat is an individual and they may not all like the same things. In addition, make sure to consult your veterinarian before making a change to your pet’s diet - just to be sure it’s the right choice for them!
