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What quality food can I feed my finicky senior cat who tires of food?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Male | neutered | 18 years old | 9.5 lbs

Hi! I know I’ve asked this advice before but I’m checking back.. any ideas on a quality food to feed my very senior, very finicky cat?? He seems to tire of a food after only a few days. He’s been to the vet , had blood work, nothing wrong that the vet can find. He’s had High blood pressure and hyperthyroidism for more than a year now and takes meds for both , but the finicky eating has been more recent. Thank u!!

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Heidi DVM, CVA, CCRT, CVTP, CVSMT, CVCH

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner

Published on January 14th, 2018

Senior cats can certainly be a challenge. You didn't mention if Tony eats canned or dry food. Since you are having to change every few days, I would suspect that it is canned. One thing that will entice my older cat to eat is if a grind up dry food and sprinkle it over the canned food. Dry foods have a number of flavor additives in them and grinding them up (in a coffee grinder) seems to make them smell better to an older cat. (You can also do this if Tony has a favorite dry treat.) Adding small amounts of the water that canned tuna, salmon or chicken are packed in can also be a good way to get them to eat if he likes those flavors. There are a number of companies that make food "toppers" that are ment to be extra flavorful. Some cats really love liver, so dehydrated liver treats or toppers are a great idea for senior cats. Finally, sometimes we rotate foods on a regular basis instead of just feeding him a food for as long as he will eat it.
Good luck! I hope that was helpful and gives you some ideas. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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