Cat Does Not Chew

QUESTION

We are trying to convert our cat from dry hard food to specific nutritional canned food. He cannot seem to grasp how to eat the soft food and just licks it around the dish. Is there a secret to helping himn learn the art of eating?



Hi,

Most cats eat canned food that way. They do more licking than actually grasping a bite with their mouths or teeth. If he is able to finish the amount you want him to by licking, that's fine.

One other thing to remember is that cats sometimes only like the "gravy" in canned food and will only eat that and will leave the rest. They may just not like the food.

A cat will also do that if there is a problem with their teeth.

Also, when cats are sick and not eating well in general, they are more likely to lick the gravy than to eat the food.

I hope with that information you can perhaps narrow it down to whether there's a problem or not and whether you need to take him to the vet. If he's getting enough to eat, then that is probably just the way he eats soft food.

Thank you for writing,
Dr. Neely