My kitten is fussy and won't eat new food. Should I buy old food?

She looks like a healthy little kitten, so I think she's probably OK and just being picky. If possible, I would contact the former caregiver and see what they were feeding. Sometimes they reject food that they are not familiar with. If you've done that already, or it is not possible, then try to feed a few different foods. She is old enough that she can eat 100% kitten food, so you can buy a few different cans of food at the pet store. Fancy feast is always a favorite. Don't feed too much at one time though, or she could develop vomiting/diarrhea. They also stop eating sometimes when they are feeling sick. If you notice some eye or nose discharge, or anything else concerning, then you may need to get her to a vet for evaluation. I hope that helps.

First, you'll want to make sure to do a gradual change over 7-9 days, slowly adding in more new food and less old food, otherwise Shiro can get an upset stomach which may be why she doesn't want to eat the new food. If the food is a dry food, you can wet it with a little water and warm it up in the microwave for 3-5 seconds. If the food is a wet food, you can just warm it up as it is. Cats are driven by smell, and so a smelly, warm food is likely to entice them to eat. If Shiro still doesn't want to eat the new food, I would return to the old food for a bit, and then try again (slowly). A vet visit to rule out any issues such as stomach upset, illness, etc, is also a good idea if you see any other problems.

Hello, any new diet that will be offered should be transitioned gradually. Sudden diet changes may cause a decreased appetite, vomiting or diarrhea. So transition the diet slowly. Make sure that the new food is also for kittens as she needs the additional calories and protein for her growth. Hope this helps and best of luck.

Congratulations on your new kitten Una! Since Una is a picky eater, you may want to buy food from pet stores that offer a money back offer for food if a pet doesn't like it. I believe Petsmart may offer such a policy but you should double check that. Foods I have found that pets tend to like are Royal Canin and Purina ProPlan. Offer canned and dry as the variety may help encourage eating. Best of luck and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Just continue to give one diet or the other one, he will eat it in the end. Remember to give be quite consistent with it and if you want to change diet, always change it gradually. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

You may want to try mixing a little bit of his old food in with the new food to gradually transition him to the new food. If he still doesn’t want to eat it you could ask your vet if there are any other foods to try for his condition.

I recommend to switch back to his normal food. It's possible the novelty of the new food has worn off or that Moshi is feeling sick: https://www.petcoach.co/article/why-isnt-my-cat-eating/ If Moshi begins eating his normal diet and is not exhibiting any signs of illness, you may try a different food (if there is reason to change) and gradually change the diet over a two weeks period. This article will help and keep in mind that fussy cats may need a slower transition: https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-transition-your-dog-or-cat-to-a-new-food/ I hope this helps.