Are you struggling to get your cat to eat a healthier, moisture-rich diet? If you’ve got a picky eater who turns their nose up at anything other than dry food, we know the frustrating feeling. But don’t worry – there’s a simple food topper trick that can help even the most stubborn kibble addict make the switch.
Cats are obligate carnivores and evolved as desert animals, which means they’re biologically designed to get most of their hydration from the food they eat – not from a water bowl. That’s why a moisture-rich diet is so important for their health. A fresh, meat-based diet that’s low in carbs and starches can help prevent common issues like kidney disease, diabetes, and obesity.
But what if your cat just won’t eat wet food?
We’ve been there. One of our boys was a kibble addict. He suffered from an autoimmune disease and struggled with we his weight. We knew we could improve his health if only we could transition him to a better diet. He would not sniff twice at a better food – so we had to get tricky. Click here for our full guide on transitioning – and keep reading below for the simple trick that can work wonders!
The Food Topper Trick That Changed Everything
If you have a kibble addict that know anytime you try adding a bit of fresh food to their bowl, try this!
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Take a handful of their favorite kibble. Put it in a ziplock bag and smash it with a spoon into a fine powder. You can also do this in a coffee grinder or using a mortar and pestle if you’re feeling fancy.
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At mealtime, sprinkle the kibble dust over the food you are trying to get your little addict to eat.
That’s it! Just that little dusting of something familiar and tasty can help bridge the gap between dry and wet, fresh, or raw food. You can even mix some of the powder into the new food to boost the scent and flavor.
If your cat is still hesitant, try using their current kibble as the base for the topper. Over time, gradually decrease the dry food topper and increase the amount of wet food underneath.
Bonus Tip: Scheduled Feeding
Free-feeding dry food can make transitioning even harder. Instead, try switching to scheduled mealtimes. Removing dry food between meals will naturally increase your cat’s interest in trying something new when it’s offered. Just do your best to keep mealtimes consistent. Cats thrive on a good routine.
