When Cats Eat a Wet Food-Only Diet: Olga’s Preferences

Until a few years ago, Olga wasn’t picky about her food; she ate wet food in the morning and dry food in the evening. She’s more food-motivated than my previous cat, and she used to scoot around with her front paws on the edge of the dinner table when I had a snack or meal. She still begs me for food but is no longer interested in human cuisine.

Olga the Kitten

When she was a kitten, I made the mistake of replicating my Siamese cat’s diet. His name was Robert Fripp, and he ate dry food every day and wet food only once a week. However, he didn’t have a routine and didn’t eat much in one sitting. Free-feeding him wasn’t a problem, and he was a slim cat for nearly 20 years.

I took Olga for a checkup when she was less than a year old, and my veterinarian said she was a little hefty for a young cat and needed to lose a few pounds. She said it’s much harder for indoor cats to lose weight and warned that it would take a few months before Olga slimmed down on the new diet. Her advice and portioning instructions were invaluable; soon, Olga was at her ideal weight.

Changing Her Diet

I tried several brands of cat food, along with a liquid medication my vet prescribed, when she had diarrhea and didn’t seem to like dry food anymore. I thought she was okay when she seemed to like a new brand, but after a few days, she vomited and ignored the food. I switched to a wet food-only diet, and she hasn’t had any gastrointestinal issues.

Taking her off dry food and brushing her more has also helped reduce or eliminate hairballs. I didn’t think she coughed up hairballs that often before, but after discussing her condition with my vet, I realized it was occurring more than it should. She’s much happier and healthier on wet food, but the diet has a few disadvantages.

Wet Food’s Disadvantages

Since it’s less filling than dry food, she has to eat three meals a day to be satisfied. She eats less each meal, but she’s still picky. She’ll walk away from the food she loved the day before, but after I encourage her to eat it by sliding her toward the bowl, she’ll eat all of it.

I’m not sure why she initially rejects some of her meals, but I buy six or seven wet food formulas and serve a different one at every meal to keep her interested. I’m glad her system is back to normal, and she likes the new routine. I work at home, and it’s not a problem to feed her more often, but it will be an issue when I leave town.

I have a few friends and family members who care for Olga when I’m away, but they haven’t taken care of her since her diet changed, and they won’t be able to feed her three times a day. Before my next vacation, I’ll need to find a trusting cat sitter with an open schedule and patience for a picky cat.