5 Creative Ways to Use Cat Food Toppers for Picky Felines
TL;DR: For picky eaters, cat food toppers can help stimulate a cat's appetite. Here are five creative ways to use them:
- Change food texture with wet or liquid toppers.
- Add enticing, strong aromas.
- Introduce new flavors for variety.
- Rotate between flavors to avoid boredom.
- Try freezing toppers for added engagement.
For hours (or minutes that feel like hours) your cat has been sitting next to the food bowl and meowing. At feeding time, their tail perks up, and they wind around your ankles in delight. You fill their dish, set it down, and…nothing.
Cats are the only creatures on earth pickier than toddlers. It takes strategic thinking to ensure you’re keeping them satisfied at mealtimes, and by extension, meeting their nutritional needs. Enter cat food toppers—a tasty food supplement that gets fussy felines interested in the food bowl again.
In this guide, we’ll share the creative ways that pet parents use cat food toppers to stimulate their pets’ appetites. Keep reading to learn what to feed a picky cat to keep them happy and healthy.
Why Are Cats Picky Eaters?
There may not be anything wrong with the cat food you’re buying. There are many instinctual and learned reasons why your cat might turn up their whiskers at the organic liver pate in their bowl.
A cat’s tastes can be formed while in the womb, based on their mother’s preferred diet. If kittens aren’t exposed to a variety of flavors and textures early, they may resist variety later. Cats have only 470 total taste buds (compared to a human’s 9000), which means flavor matters.
Likewise, cats may be more attracted to the food they would naturally eat in the wild. That’s why some cats prefer their food heated up to the temperature of a fresh kill — yum!
Additionally, some cats may come across as picky because they don’t eat a lot at once. Instinctually, many cats prefer several smaller meals to one larger one. Sometimes it’s the quantity of food, not the food itself, that poses an issue.
Be aware that there is a difference between a picky cat and a cat with a medical issue. Dental issues, GI problems, and allergies can cause cats to ignore their food bowls. If you notice a sudden shift in your pet’s appetite, always visit your vet. They can help you rule out “catitude” as the problem!
Why We Love Cat Food Toppers
Cat food toppers are just what they sound like. They’re a flavorful, pungent, and nutritious addition to your cat’s food bowl.
While many pet parents use toppers as a treat, if your cat is a picky eater, you can use them as a secret weapon. A high-quality topper might just be the best cat food for picky cats.
Ideally, the pet food topper you choose should be more than just a treat. When it comes to picky eaters, every drop of nutrition matters.
We prefer fish-based food toppers because they’re an incredible source of Omega-3 fatty acids. This is a type of dietary fat that cats can’t make in their bodies. If they don’t get it from their food, they don’t get it at all.
Fish is loaded with healthy Omega-3s and fresh ocean flavor that cats instinctively crave. Not only will this help your cat finish their food, but they will also benefit from the health benefits of fish for cats, including a soft, shiny coat. . Nice!
How to Get a Picky Cat to Eat with Cat Food Toppers
1. Change the Texture
One reason picky cats love toppers might be because it changes the texture of their favorite food. For example, adding a wet cat food topper to dry kibble provides a more interesting, prey-like mouthfeel.
There are two types of wet food toppers you can try.
The first is the type that comes in a squeeze pouch. They are mostly protein, which satisfies the obligate carnivore in our cats.
The second are fish oil food toppers, which come in liquid form. As a bonus, liquid toppers boost hydration, which cats need to avoid kidney issues as they age.
2. Add an Addictive Aroma
Strong-smelling food has the power to stimulate a cat’s appetite. That’s why, in the past, pet parents would add pungent tuna water or chicken broth to a cat’s dish. Unfortunately, those tricks add a lot of sodium to your pet’s bowl, which isn’t healthy as a long-term plan.
Instead, add enticing aroma using a cat food topper formulated for your pet’s diet. Fish-based food toppers tend to be the most pleasantly pungent. We recommend salmon flavored food toppers.
3. Offer a Novel Flavor
Sometimes picky cats are just bored. The best way to mix things up is to introduce a new flavor.
If they normally eat chicken or beef, squeeze a little salmon on top and see how they respond. Is your cat normally a tuna lover? A little squeeze of cod & trout might add enough interest to bring them back to the bowl.
Adding a topper allows cats to still have access to their familiar food. That way, a change is likely to be interesting rather than stressful. Think of it like adding whipped cream and a cherry to their regular scoop of ice cream.
4. Mix it Up
You might want to have a few different cat food topper flavors in your arsenal. If your cat is craving novelty, they might get too used to one new flavor. Suddenly, you’ll find them turning up their noses all over again.
Consider alternating between novel flavors so they don’t have a chance to get bored.
5. Squeeze a Little, Freeze a Little
Consider squirting some squeezable cat food topper into a silicone ice tray, freezing, and serving to your cat. The change in texture and temperature might be enough to entice your feline. Bonus points if the frozen topper slides around the dish like hard-to-catch prey. It’s a simple way to keep your kitty engaged at feeding time.
Will you be adding any cat food toppers onto your feline family’s menu? Enhance your picky cat's mealtime with our delicious and nutritious cat food toppers. Shop now to find the perfect addition to your cat's diet!
