I need help feeding a stubborn cat

by Trina V
(Lynn, Ma US)

I have two cats , one a 4 yrs old and one a two yrs old.

two weeks ago the two yrs old had to go to the hospital for a urinary blockage and as a result he has to be on a wet food diet. science diet prescription c/d wet. The 4 yrs old continues to eat science diet oral care. which the two yrs old was eating as well until he got sick. This happened 12/15/09. My four yrs has caught on to the fact that he is eating different food than his buddy and has started to not eat his food at all wet or dry. how ever I conducted a little test and gave him some of the prescription food and he ate it all. They normally eat in different rooms, so i'm assuming that my four yrs old is refusing his food cause he wants the other stuff. he has only refused within the past day. he drinks, he eats treats normally but he refuses to eat his OWN food. any suggestions on how I can get him to go back to eating his food? I was reading some of your articles and thinking of mixing some tuna with his food. do you think this will help?

RESPONSE:

Cats can be soooo stubborn - and they seem to have infinite patience when it comes to getting something they want!
At this point, it may be unwise to mix in something completely new like the tuna or he may decide he only wants the tuna!
Since the prescription c/d will not hurt the 4 year old, feed both cats the same food then slowly start mixing in the food you want the 4 year old to eat with the c/d and start cutting back on the amount of c/d in his food. Be sure to go slowly. Start with just a spoonful of the food you want him to eat for several days, then 2 spoonfuls and so on. Cut back equally on the c/d so he doesn't get more food than he should.
If he continues to refuse his food, just give in and feed him the c/d since he likes it. Sometimes, if there is no harm in it, it is just easier to let the cat win!

Donna
House Full Cats Mom