My Cat Refuses to Eat Wet Food! (Vet Answered)
This question has been answered by a vet
Veterinarian & Animal Behaviorist
With nearly two decades in veterinary medicine, Dr. Paola brings hands-on experience across multiple species. A graduate of the University of Guadalajara, she specializes in preventive care, animal welfare, and positive reinforcement training.
The Question
“Hi Dr Paola!
I feed my 7-year-old, neutered indoor male cat, Sigi, canned food and dry kibble. He prefers the kibble and leaves most of his wet food. I have tried three different brands, and he holds out until I give him the dry food.
I prefer the ingredients in the wet food to the kibble, which is the same brand as one of the canned foods. He has maintained his weight, and he’s not skinny. I do give him some treats in the evenings.
Can you suggest some options, please?
Thank you!”
- Carol
Quick Info about Sigi
Dear Carol,
It sounds like Sigi has made his position very clear: kibble wins, and apparently, he is prepared to negotiate accordingly! The reassuring part is that he is maintaining a healthy weight and body condition. While it makes perfect sense to prefer the ingredients and higher moisture content of canned food, the most important consideration is that his main diet is complete and balanced, meaning it has the appropriate number of calories and all the nutrients he needs to maintain his body.
Wet food does have an advantage because it provides considerably more moisture and usually fewer calories per gram than dry food. For a neutered indoor cat like Sigi, keeping portions measured is especially important because these cats need fewer calories. I suggest measuring his daily kibble rather than allowing unlimited grazing, as this also helps you learn what he normally eats and notice any changes in appetite sooner. It is important to remember that those evening treats count toward his calorie intake and shouldn't exceed 10% of his daily allowance.
For cats eating a primarily dry-food diet, drinking plenty of water becomes a priority, and there are several ways you can encourage Sigi to spend a little more time at the water bowl each day. Providing multiple water sources in different locations gives cats a choice of drinking spots, which might vary throughout the day, depending on activity in the house. Ceramic or stainless steel bowls are more hygienic than plastic and provide a fresher taste that cats prefer. Many cats prefer to drink from moving water, so a cat drinking fountain is another great idea.
If you would still like to increase his wet food, you could make the transition very gradually rather than turning dinner into a battle of wills. Try warming a small amount of canned food to enhance its aroma, adding a little warm water, or experimenting with different textures. You could also try a nutritionally complete and balanced fresh food formulated specifically for cats.
Some cats find the aroma and texture of fresh food more appealing, so it can be another option to explore rather than trying to convince Sigi that canned food is the only acceptable alternative to kibble.
Most importantly, avoid trying to out-stubborn a cat by withholding his preferred food until he gives in. Cats that eat too little for several days can develop serious health problems, including hepatic lipidosis. The goal isn’t to win the wet-food argument, but to find a nutritionally appropriate diet that Sigi actually enjoys eating. Wet or fresh food would be a nice addition, but mealtimes do not need to become a battle.
With cats, sometimes a little compromise goes a long way!
Best wishes,
- Dr. Paola