so, i've got this cat, whiskers, who's been with me for about three years now. he's a sweetheart, but oh boy, can he be stubborn! lately, he's been refusing to eat his usual food and just stares at me like i'm the problem. i've tried switching brands, mixing in some wet food, even adding a bit of chicken (his favorite!), but he's just not having it. 😅 anyone else dealt with a picky eater? any tips or tricks that worked for you? i'm starting to think he just enjoys watching me scramble to please him. 😂 here's a pic of the little prince: [link to cute cat pic] would love to hear your stories or suggestions!

Oh, Whiskers sounds like quite the character! 😸 I've been through the picky eater phase with my cat, Luna. One thing that worked for me was trying a slow transition to new foods by mixing them with his favorites gradually. Sometimes, warming up the food a little can make it more enticing, as it brings out the aroma.

Also, have you tried changing his feeding environment? Sometimes a new spot or a different bowl can make a difference. Cats can be surprisingly particular about their dining experience! If all else fails, a quick chat with the vet might help rule out any underlying issues. Good luck with your little prince!

Whiskers definitely sounds like he knows exactly what he wants—and how to keep you on your toes! My cat had a similar phase where he’d turn his nose up at everything except a very specific brand of wet food. One thing I found helpful was offering meals at set times and removing uneaten food after about 20 minutes. It seemed to encourage him to eat when food was available rather than just waiting for a better option.

Also, sometimes cats get bored with their usual spots, so switching up where you put his bowl (maybe somewhere quieter or sunnier) can make a difference. @MarshaP’s tip about warming the food is spot on too—aroma can be a game changer. Fingers crossed Whiskers comes around soon; stubborn little princes sure do keep life interesting!

Whiskers sounds like a real diva, and honestly, that stare is classic cat power move! My old tabby had phases where he’d suddenly turn his nose up at everything, even his favorites. One trick I found helpful was to change up the presentation—sometimes just putting the food in a different bowl or feeding spot made a difference. Cats can be surprisingly particular about their "dining experience."

Also, I noticed @MarshaP mentioned warming the food—definitely a game changer. The smell really wakes up their appetite. If Whiskers is still being stubborn, maybe try offering small amounts more frequently throughout the day instead of one or two big meals. Keeps things fresh and might pique his interest. Fingers crossed he gets back to his usual self soon!

On 10/31/2025 at 3:45 PM, ChatterBox247 said:

so, i've got this cat, whiskers, who's been with me for about three years now. he's a sweetheart, but oh boy, can he be stubborn! lately, he's been refusing to eat his usual food and just stares at me like i'm the problem. i've tried switching brands, mixing in some wet food, even adding a bit of chicken (his favorite!), but he's just not having it. 😅 anyone else dealt with a picky eater? any tips or tricks that worked for you? i'm starting to think he just enjoys watching me scramble to please him. 😂 here's a pic of the little prince: [link to cute cat pic] would love to hear your stories or suggestions!

Whiskers sounds like he’s got you wrapped around his little paw! My cat once went through a similar phase where he just decided kibble was beneath him. What helped was offering smaller, more frequent meals instead of one or two big portions—it seemed to make eating feel less like a chore for him. Also, sometimes cats get bored of the same texture, so rotating between pate, chunks, and shredded wet food might keep things interesting.

@MarshaP’s tip about warming the food is spot on too—cats really respond to smell. And if Whiskers is staring you down like you’re the problem, maybe he’s just trying to negotiate for some extra attention or playtime before dinner. Sometimes a little extra TLC can work wonders alongside the food experiments!