Do Cats Get Bored Of Eating the Same Thing Every Day?

If you’ve ever dished up a fresh plate of your cat’s usual food and they’ve walked away in disgust, you’re not alone. Cats have a reputation for being finicky eaters, but is it really about boredom, or is something else going on?

Whether your feline friend suddenly refuses their favourite food or seems unimpressed by yet another bowl of the same kibble, understanding why cats behave this way – and what you can do about it – can make mealtimes less stressful for everyone involved. Let’s dig into the science behind your cat’s eating habits and explore how to keep them happy, healthy and actually interested in their dinner.

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Do cats actually get bored of their food?

The short answer? Not quite – but they do have a natural need for variety. According to Małgorzata Głowacka, veterinary expert for Mars Pet Nutrition Europe, “Cats have a natural behavioural need to vary the taste and texture of their food. In nature, this acts as a mechanism that protects them from consuming deficient or harmful foods over extended periods, and from depleting the entire prey population within a given hunting territory.”

So while your cat isn’t experiencing boredom in the way we might tire of eating the same sandwich every day, their instinct to seek out different flavours and textures is hardwired. This natural behaviour can make cats appear fussy, but it’s actually a clever survival mechanism. The solution? “Cats should be offered foods with different flavours and textures,” says Małgorzata. “A good solution is a mixed diet, combining dry and wet food in appropriate proportions.”

How to determine why your cat won’t eat

Is it medical, dental or something else?

When your cat shows disinterest in food, it can be tricky to work out whether it’s a health issue or simply feline fussiness. Małgorzata advises that “a temporary loss of appetite in a cat is usually not a cause for concern if a cat drinks water and it is not accompanied by other clinical symptoms”.

Watch out for these warning signs that suggest you may need to visit the vet:

• listlessness (unusual tiredness or lack of energy)

• fever

• vomiting or diarrhoea

• urinary disorders

• signs of pain, particularly when eating (a cat may approach their bowl and start to eat but then stop)

Could it be stress or environmental changes?

If your cat appears healthy but still won’t eat, consider what’s changed in their world. “The departure of a family member, guests, a new family member (with fur or not), rearranging furniture, a sudden switch-up in daily routine, or renovations are just a few examples of situations that can cause stress in pets and disrupt their appetite,” says Małgorzata.

Senior cats may also experience smell disorders that lead to decreased appetite. If your older cat is turning away from food but seems otherwise well, this could be worth discussing with your vet.

How pet parents accidentally create picky eaters

You might be unintentionally training your cat to be fussy without realising it. Małgorzata points out that “a common mistake is offering too many treats or table scraps. Additionally, catering to a cat’s refusal to eat by immediately offering something else can backfire. The cat quickly learns that refusing food results in a better or different meal, which encourages picky eating.”

Common feeding mistakes that backfire

Beyond treat overload and food swapping, there are several everyday mistakes that can lead to food refusal:

• Dirty bowls: cats are fastidious creatures, and a less-than-pristine bowl can put them off their dinner entirely.

• Food placement: bowls placed too close to the litter tray are a definite no-go.

• Cold food: serving food straight from the fridge can make it unappetising.

The fix? Keep your cat’s bowls perfectly clean, sufficiently wide and relatively shallow (to avoid irritating their whiskers), and place them away from the litter tray in a quiet spot where your cat can observe their surroundings while eating.

Do cats need variety in their diet?

Yes, they do – but variety doesn’t mean constantly switching brands or offering a different meal every day. As Małgorzata explains, cats’ natural need for variety in taste and texture is best met through a balanced approach, such as mixed feeding with both wet and dry food.

This doesn’t mean your cat requires a rotating menu of exotic proteins or gourmet meals. Instead, offering different textures (think crunchy kibble alongside wet food with meaty chunks) and flavours within a nutritionally complete diet satisfies their instinctive craving for variety while keeping their nutrition balanced.

Why would a cat who eats well suddenly refuse food?

If your previously enthusiastic eater suddenly turns picky, it’s time to investigate. “If we respect the natural need for variety in the taste and texture of food in a cat’s diet and the cat suddenly refuses to eat, the first thing to do is check for other symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation, fever, apathy or pain,” says Małgorzata.

Even if you’ve been providing variety, a sudden change in eating habits warrants attention. Remember: if your cat still refuses to eat for more than 24 hours, it’s recommended to go to the vet. This is particularly important for cats due to their risk of developing hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease), a serious condition that can occur when cats stop eating.

How many treats are too many?

All cats deserve to be spoiled, but treats can quickly sabotage their interest in regular meals. According to Małgorzata, “Treats are complementary feeds that can make up to 10 percent of daily calories. The feeding instructions on the packaging of each complementary food must include information on how many treats should be given per day or week.”

Here’s the crucial bit: “It is important to reduce the portion of the main food (complete and balanced) by the number of calories provided by the treats.” If you give more treats than recommended, you’ll disrupt the balance of nutrients in your cat’s diet, as treats don’t contain all the necessary nutrients. Plus, your cat simply won’t be hungry enough to eat their complete and balanced food.

Is it normal for cats to skip meals?

Occasionally skipping a meal isn’t necessarily cause for alarm – but cats require closer monitoring than dogs in this regard. Unlike dogs, cats can develop serious health complications if they go without food for too long. Hepatic lipidosis can develop surprisingly quickly in cats who stop eating, particularly in overweight cats.

The golden rule? If your cat hasn’t eaten for more than 24 hours, contact your vet immediately, even if they seem otherwise healthy. It’s better to be cautious when it comes to your cat’s eating habits.

Timeline for trying fixes at home vs seeking veterinary care

So your cat’s refusing food – when should you try home remedies, and when should you ring the vet? If your cat is drinking water and shows no other clinical symptoms, you can try some at-home solutions first. However, the 24-hour mark is your deadline. If your cat hasn’t eaten anything in 24 hours, veterinary attention is needed.

For cats showing any concerning symptoms alongside food refusal – vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, fever or signs of pain – don’t wait. Contact your vet straight away.

What actually works: fixes to try at home

If you’ve ruled out health issues (or are waiting for a vet appointment), here are proven strategies to tempt your cat back to their bowl:

Warm it up

“Gently warming wet food to 38C has a positive effect on its palatability,” says Małgorzata. Place the food pouch in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes. Warming food to around body temperature makes it more appealing to cats and releases more aroma, which can be especially helpful for senior cats with diminished sense of smell.

Use toppers and mix-ins wisely

Special sauces and toppings can encourage eating, but use them strategically. “It is important that these are only used as an addition, in accordance with the recommendations on the label, so as not to cause the opposite effect, where the cat only eats the sauce or topping and is not interested in the complete food,” says Małgorzata.

Optimise the eating environment

Don’t underestimate the importance of bowl placement and cleanliness. Ensure bowls are kept spotlessly clean, are wide enough not to irritate your cat’s whiskers, and are positioned in a quiet area away from the litter tray where your cat can observe their surroundings. Cats are both hunters and prey animals, so they prefer to eat where they can keep an eye out for potential threats.

Offer different flavours or textures

If your cat has lost interest in their current food, try offering something with a different flavour or texture. This taps into their natural need for variety and might be exactly what they’re looking for.

Should you rotate cat foods or stick with one?

The answer lies somewhere in the middle. Rather than constantly rotating between completely different foods (which can be disruptive and may cause digestive upset), the best approach is to provide variety within a consistent feeding routine. A mixed diet combining wet and dry food offers the textural and flavour variety cats naturally seek while maintaining nutritional consistency.

Food toppers, broths and mix-ins can be helpful tools, but they should complement – not replace – complete and balanced nutrition. Use them according to package recommendations to avoid creating a cat who only wants the fancy additions and ignores the nutritionally complete food underneath.

The bottom line: do cats get get bored of their food?

Your cat’s apparent fussiness isn’t about being difficult – it’s rooted in natural feline behaviour. By understanding their need for variety, watching for warning signs that require veterinary attention, and avoiding common feeding mistakes, you can keep your cat happily fed and healthy. Remember: variety through mixed feeding, cleanliness in food prep and presentation, and prompt veterinary attention when needed are your best tools for managing a ‘fussy’ eater.

And if all else fails? Your cat is probably just being a cat – and that’s what we love about them, even when they’re turning their nose up at a perfectly good dinner.