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Because your cat doesn't want to eat the new food you buy him (or he eats it the first day and then rejects it).
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INTRODUCTION
Has it ever happened to you that you buy natural, good quality food for your cat, thinking you finally found the perfect one… and your cat looks at the bowl as if you put something horrible inside?
Or even worse: the first day your cat eats it with a lot of enthusiasm, you get happy and buy more… and the next day your cat does not even want to smell it.
Changing a cat’s food can be very frustrating.
It is not only because your cat is picky or wants to control you.
In reality, there is something deeper behind this behavior. It is called feline neophobia.
This is an instinct that makes many cats feel afraid of new food.
WHAT IS FELINE NEOPHOBIA?
Food neophobia means fear or rejection of new food.
It is a survival instinct. In nature, eating something unknown could be dangerous or cause illness.
That is why many cats still have this instinct and do not accept new food, even if it is healthier than the old one.
THE NOVELTY EFFECT (NEOPHILIA)
There is also another effect called neophilia.
Some cats feel curious about new food and eat it with excitement on the first day.
But when the novelty disappears, they stop eating it because the texture, smell or taste is not familiar.
THE FIRST MONTHS OF LIFE
During the first weeks of life, especially between 6 and 8 weeks, a kitten creates a “map” of safe flavors.
If during this time the kitten only eats one type of food, for example dry food, it is very likely that as an adult it will reject other foods with different textures, smells or tastes.
INTRODUCTION
Has it ever happened to you that you buy natural, good quality food for your cat, thinking you finally found the perfect one… and your cat looks at the bowl as if you put something horrible inside?
Or even worse: the first day your cat eats it with a lot of enthusiasm, you get happy and buy more… and the next day your cat does not even want to smell it.
Changing a cat’s food can be very frustrating.
It is not only because your cat is picky or wants to control you.
In reality, there is something deeper behind this behavior. It is called feline neophobia.
This is an instinct that makes many cats feel afraid of new food.
WHAT IS FELINE NEOPHOBIA?
Food neophobia means fear or rejection of new food.
It is a survival instinct. In nature, eating something unknown could be dangerous or cause illness.
That is why many cats still have this instinct and do not accept new food, even if it is healthier than the old one.
THE NOVELTY EFFECT (NEOPHILIA)
There is also another effect called neophilia.
Some cats feel curious about new food and eat it with excitement on the first day.
But when the novelty disappears, they stop eating it because the texture, smell or taste is not familiar.
THE FIRST MONTHS OF LIFE
During the first weeks of life, especially between 6 and 8 weeks, a kitten creates a “map” of safe flavors.
If during this time the kitten only eats one type of food, for example dry food, it is very likely that as an adult it will reject other foods with different textures, smells or tastes.
THE UNINTERESTED CAT
This group is the most difficult. These cats have very strong food habits. Many of them were raised only with dry food — the “kibble addicts” — and they show no interest in other types of food.
The change can take months or even years, and it needs a lot of patience.
First steps:
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Do not remove the dry food suddenly. Start by offering wet food in a separate bowl.
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Change the texture and temperature (pâté, small pieces, warm, cold).
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Never cause long fasting. Cats are very sensitive to low food intake and can develop liver problems.
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When the cat starts to accept wet food, you can try to add very small pieces of raw or cooked meat.
Another study (Drivers of Palatability for Cats and Dogs) shows that cats combine neophilia (curiosity about new food) and neophobia (fear of unknown food). They feel attracted at first, but if the difference is very big compared to their old food, they quickly stop eating it (Bermingham et al., 2023).
The study Food Preferences in Cats: Effect of Dietary Composition and Intrinsic Variables found that food preferences in cats depend on their past experience, the texture, and the nutritional content of the food (Alegría-Morán et al., 2019).
According to Vet Times, when a cat feels that a food is less tasty after several days, it can develop a long-lasting aversion, even if the food is healthy (Vet Times, 2019).
Studies about feline eating behavior (Del Amo, 2022) also show that environmental factors — stress, changes in routine, type of bowl, and interaction with the owner — influence eating behavior as much as the food itself.
TYPES OF CATS AND FOOD: HOW TO HELP THEM EAT BETTER
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Imagen de Freepik
KIND TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR CAT’S DIET (WITHOUT CREATING TRAUMA)
Create a routine: Cats need regular schedules. Feeding your cat at the same times every day reduces stress and helps them accept new food.
Do not leave food all day: Free feeding reduces hunger and interest in new food. If you are not at home, use automatic feeders to keep regular times.
Take care of the senses: Offer food at room temperature and with a texture similar to what your cat already knows. Cats reject food that feels “strange”.
Play before meals: Playing activates your cat’s hunting instinct and improves appetite.
Avoid many changes at the same time: Do not change the food, the bowl, and the place together. Make one change at a time.
Add something your cat loves: You can add a little natural yeast, yogurt, some homemade broth, or small pieces of cooked chicken. This helps your cat connect the new food with a positive experience.
Be patient and consistent: Every cat needs its own time. Forcing them does not give better results.
CONCLUSION
Feline neophobia is not a whim. It is a protection instinct.
Understanding it helps you act with more empathy, less frustration, and more respect for your cat’s nature.
If you feel lost in this process and want to improve your cat’s diet towards more natural, balanced, and healthy food — which is essential for their well-being — I can support you on this journey.
🌿 Feline nutrition consultation — in person in Mallorca or online.
REFERENCES
Bradshaw, J.W.S. et al. (2000). The Behaviour of the Domestic Cat. Journal of Nutrition.
Houpt, K. (2018). Feeding behavior of cats and dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science.
Del Amo, G. (2022). Feeding behavior and neophobia in domestic cats. Animals (MDPI).
Pinilla Suárez, C. (2024). Preparing Diets for Healthy Patients (Part 1). Feline Nutrition Course.
Ellis, S.L.H. (2020). Feeding Cats for Optimal Mental and Behavioral Well-Being. JFMS.
Bermingham, E.N. et al. (2023). Drivers of Palatability for Cats and Dogs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science.
Alegría-Morán, R. et al. (2019). Food Preferences in Cats: Effect of Dietary Composition and Intrinsic Variables. Animals (MDPI).
Vet Times (2019). Palatability, Feline Food Preferences.