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Why won't my cat eat from her bowl but eats from my hand?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My cat sometimes will not eat from plate, but if I will take same food in my hand, she will eat.What is the reason? Thanks

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on February 18th, 2016

Some pets get in the habit of eating a certain way. They become conditioned in a sense to doing things a certain way and feel safer with their owners there for them.

Cats in particular like to have flat dinner trays to avoid any rubbing of their whiskers when they eat. They are still very much un-domesticated in a lot of ways and so they want to make sure they can see around them while eating as a defense mechanism. This may be why your kitty likes to eat from your flat hand that is raised off the floor, because he/she feels safer in that position. You can try a flat dinner tray that is slightly raised off the floor and see if this encourages your kitty to eat on his/her own.

15Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Silvia De Cecco, DVM, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on April 15th, 2018
Try to offer her something that she loves and put it in her bowl. Leave her with it, hopefully when she is really hungry she will have it all! Please post again on the forum if you would like to discuss it further. I hope my answer was helpful.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on January 15th, 2017
Cats tend to be grazers, and will come back for food when they want it if it's left out. But if you have it in your hands, she will know that it will only be there temporarily, so that's why Sweetie is eating it all out of your hands at one time. It's certainly fine that she leaves her food for later :-)
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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