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9 Best Cat Foods for Picky Cats in the UK in 2024: Reviews & Top Picks

Written by: Christian Adams

Last Updated on March 11, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

siamese cat eating food from bowl at home

9 Best Cat Foods for Picky Cats in the UK in 2024: Reviews & Top Picks

siamese cat eating food from bowl at home

Cats generally know what they do and don’t want, and not much can change their minds. This can pertain to where they want to sleep, who they want to cuddle with, and what they want to do during their day. However, sometimes their preferences can be detrimental to their health, especially when it comes to food. Many cats choose to rather go hungry1 instead of eating the food they dislike. It’s our job as pet owners to transition our cats onto new textures and flavors to determine what kind of food our picky eaters will enjoy and lap up.

Buying cat food after cat food that your fussy cat continues to avoid and leave untouched can be expensive and time-consuming. We’ve done the research and compiled a few reviews of the best cat foods for picky eaters in the UK. However, they are just recommendations, and any health-related questions and concerns should be taken to your vet.

3 cat face divider

A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2024

Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Felix As Good As It Looks Doubly Delicious Felix As Good As It Looks Doubly Delicious
  • Good variety
  • Tasty jelly
  • Cooked gently for tender meat
  • Best Value
    Second place
    IAMS Delights Wet Food Land IAMS Delights Wet Food Land
  • Affordable
  • Good variety
  • Nutritious
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    Royal Canin Sensory Smell Royal Canin Sensory Smell
  • Specifically formulated for picky eaters
  • The smell activates your cat’s senses
  • Sustainably caught fish
  • Best for Kittens
    Whiskas 2-12 months Kitten Pure Delight Whiskas 2-12 months Kitten Pure Delight
  • Tasty variety
  • Small, soft chunks suitable for kittens
  • Nutritionally balanced
  • Sheba Select Slices in Gravy Sheba Select Slices in Gravy
  • Nutritionally complete
  • High-quality ingredients
  • Good variety
  • The 9 Best Cat Foods for Picky Cats in the UK

    1. Felix As Good As It Looks Doubly Delicious Wet Cat Food – Best Overall

    Flavor: Beef and poultry mix, chicken and kidney mix, lamb and chicken mix, turkey and liver mix
    Protein content: 11.5%
    Food form: Wet
    Size: 120 packs x 100 g

    Picky cats tend to need tastier food than the rest, and our best overall cat food for picky eaters has this proof in its name. Felix As Good As It Looks Doubly Delicious Wet Cat Food is a selection of flavors mixed in appetizing jelly. The different flavors are beef and poultry mix, chicken and kidney mix, lamb and chicken mix, and turkey and liver mix. With so many options, your cat is unlikely to get tired of their food.

    These recipes have been cooked gently to ensure that the animal protein is tender and not overcooked. The ingredients are of high quality and are balanced nutritionally. However, if not handled with care, the sachets will break and leak out, which is what many customers experience upon delivery.

    Pros
    • Good variety
    • Tasty jelly
    • Cooked gently for tender meat
    • High-quality ingredients
    Cons
    • Sachets break easily

    2. IAMS Delights Wet Food Land and Sea Collection – Best Value

    Flavor: Savory chicken and turkey, lamb and red pepper, steamed salmon and cod, and wild tuna and peas
    Protein content: 9.2%
    Food form: Pate
    Size: 24 packs x 85 g

    Everyone can appreciate affordable, nutritious cat food that most picky eaters won’t turn away. IAMS Delights Wet Food Land and Sea Collection is our choice for the best cat food for picky eaters for the money, and it’s loved by many. There are 24 pouches in this box with a variety of flavors, such as savory chicken and turkey, lamb and red pepper, steamed salmon and cod, and wild tuna and peas. Your cat gets the benefit of both fish and meat.

    These high-quality animal proteins provide your cat with taurine, which is essential in a cat’s diet because it benefits their whole body, especially their heart health and vision. It’s packed with minerals and vitamins for immune health, and the fatty acids improve skin and coat health. As great as the variety is, many cats refuse to eat the lamb and red pepper option, which isn’t surprising as it’s an uncommon ingredient to add to a cat’s diet.

    Pros
    • Affordable
    • Most of the flavors are appealing to even picky eaters
    • Good variety
    • High-quality animal proteins
    • Nutritious
    Cons
    • Contains some unnecessary ingredients

    3. Royal Canin Sensory Smell – Premium Choice

    Flavor: Fish and seafood
    Protein content: 11%
    Food form: Semi-moist
    Size: 24 packs x 85 g

    Although fairly expensive, Royal Canin Sensory Smell cat food has been specifically formulated for picky eaters as it stimulates your cat’s senses. This recipe flavor is fish and seafood, which have been sustainably caught. Your cat will be surprised by the greasy, nutty, and fruity smells coming from this recipe. As much as they may not sound appealing to us, it’s likely to hold your cat’s attention.

    This semi-moist cat food is made up of chunks with gravy for an appealing texture in your cat’s mouth. It’s nutritious and works to maintain urinary system health. You can feed this wet food to your cat on its own or mix it in with kibble for a variety of textures. This method will also use up the contents of the product more slowly, so you won’t have to buy a new box as frequently, thus saving you money.

    Pros
    • Specifically formulated for picky eaters
    • The smell activates your cat’s senses
    • Sustainably caught fish
    • Appealing texture
    • Urinary system health
    • Can be consumed on its own or mixed with kibble
    Cons
    • Expensive

    4. Whiskas 2-12 months Kitten Pure Delight – Best for Kittens

    Flavor: Jelly and salmon, tuna, coley, or whitefish
    Protein content: 13.5%
    Food form: Wet
    Size: 24 packs x 85 g

    A kitten’s nutritional needs are different from those of an adult or senior cat. Perhaps your kitten has only recently been weaned off their mother’s milk and is refusing to eat the kibble placed before them. You may need to try a softer kitten food like Whiskas 2–12 months Kitten Pure Delight to help them with their transition.

    There is a selection of flaked pieces with salmon, tuna, coley, or whitefish with jelly for your kitten to rotate through. These recipes are nutritionally balanced to meet your kitten’s needs. The chunks are small and soft to eat, and the food is gentle on their digestive system.

    Pros
    • Tasty variety
    • Small, soft chunks suitable for kittens
    • Nutritionally balanced
    • Gentle on their digestive system
    Cons
    • None

    5. Sheba Select Slices in Gravy

    Flavor: Selection of duck, chicken, poultry, and duck and turkey
    Protein content: 8.5%
    Food form: Wet
    Size: 72 packs x 85 g

    Sheba Select Slices in Gravy is a premium cat food that is nutritionally complete. Many picky eaters will walk away from foods with poor ingredients, but that won’t be the case with Sheba, as all their ingredients are of high quality.

    This box of cat food has 72 pouches with a variety of flavors such as duck, chicken, poultry, and duck and turkey. Each type of protein is mixed in a gravy sauce that feels and smells delicious to cats. These pouches don’t have any preservatives or artificial colors.

    Sheba has worked with scientists and vets to create this formula, which is gentle on the stomach. Unfortunately, there have been occasions where these pouches were delivered broken or with mold on the food.

    Pros
    • Nutritionally complete
    • High-quality ingredients
    • Good variety
    • Free from preservatives and artificial colors
    • Created with the help of scientists and vets
    Cons
    • Poor product control

    6. Applaws 100% Natural Wet Cat Food in Broth

    Flavor: Selection of tuna, chicken breast, ocean fish, and chicken breast and cheese
    Protein content: 14%
    Food form: Wet
    Size: 12 tins x 70 g

    For a completely natural cat food, try out Applaws 100% Natural Wet Cat Food in Broth. This cat food has a high protein content of 14%, with most of its ingredients consisting of protein. The selection is tuna, chicken breast, ocean fish, and chicken breast and cheese, which comes in a broth.

    This food comes in tins to ensure it stays fresh until opened to avoid mold and other contaminants. However, once opened, it must stay in a refrigerator and be eaten quickly. The tins are quite small, though, so you probably won’t have much left over. However, for the small size, this food is pretty expensive.

    These tins are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids that support development, immune health, and skin and coat health.

    Pros
    • Completely natural
    • Good selection
    • Tinned food keeps it fresh
    • Nutritious
    Cons
    • Small tins
    • Expensive

    7. Purina ONE Adult Dry Cat Food

    Flavor: Chicken and wholegrain
    Protein content: 34%
    Food form: Granule
    Size: 6 kg

    A kibble option that might spark your cat’s appetite is Purina ONE Adult Dry Cat Food. It’s high in protein, making it a tasty meal. A few of the ingredients are chicken, dried poultry protein, whole grain wheat, and maize.

    Chicken is a lean meat that is high in omega fatty acids, which support healthy skin, coats, and muscles. Wholegrain wheat provides your cat with energy, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. This recipe aids in healthy digestion and has dried chicory root, which is a prebiotic fiber.

    This kibble is crunchy and can remove the tartar from your cat’s teeth as they chew into it. The packaging needs some work, though, as it doesn’t seal well, and it splits open easily.

    Pros
    • High in protein
    • Tasty
    • Nutritious
    • Aids in healthy digestion
    • Crunchy texture
    • Removes tartar
    Cons
    • Poor packaging

    8. Scrumbles Natural Wet Cat Food

    Flavor: Selection of chicken, salmon, and tuna
    Protein content: 10%
    Food form: Wet
    Size: 6 packs x 85 g

    For grain-free wet cat food, Scrumbles Natural Wet Cat Food is a good choice to consider. However, it’s important to remember that grain is beneficial to your cat and can be eaten unless your vet has advised you against it due to your cat being sensitive to it.

    Scrumbles uses fresh, natural, and high-quality ingredients in their recipes, which are made in the UK. They’re sugar, salt, and derivative-free and don’t have any fillers or artificial ingredients. This selection consists of chicken, salmon, and tuna.

    It’s a very meaty wet cat food that doesn’t lack substance and contains plenty of moisture that will keep your cat hydrated. However, plain water is also necessary. Their packaging is eco-friendly, which is always a bonus. Just watch out for the smell because these pouches can stink your house out! Also, many customers have complained that the food isn’t sealed well enough, which causes them to mold quickly.

    Pros
    • Fresh, natural, and high-quality ingredients
    • Made in the UK
    • Free from unnecessary ingredients
    • Good variety
    • Meaty
    • Eco-friendly packaging
    Cons
    • Overpowering smell
    • Sealing issues

    9. Purr & Miaow Salmon & Herring Complete Dry Sensitive Cat Food

    Flavor: Salmon and herring
    Protein content: 36%
    Food form: Granule
    Size: 1.5 kg

    For a grain-free dry option, Purr & Miaow Salmon & Herring Complete Dry Sensitive Cat Food is worth considering. Many picky eaters have sensitivities to certain ingredients, which is why they won’t eat their food. This recipe is a great choice for cats with sensitivities such as grain and chicken because it’s free of them.

    A few ingredients are dried salmon, dried herring, yellow peas, and fresh salmon. These ingredients are natural, and there are no sugars added to this recipe. Because cats with sensitivities tend to frequently vomit or have diarrhea, this recipe contains prebiotics and probiotics to replenish your cat’s gut with much-needed good bacteria.

    This cat food is recommended by vets and can be eaten from as young as 8 weeks old. However, the packaging is poor quality, and the product is pricey.

    Pros
    • Great for picky cats with sensitivities
    • Natural ingredients
    • Added probiotics and prebiotics
    • Improves gut health
    • Recommended by vets
    Cons
    • Poor quality packaging
    • Pricey

    cat paw dividerBuyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Cat Foods for Picky Cats in the UK

    As picky as your cat might be, there are often changes you can make that will reignite their interest and appetite for food. They might be put off eating their food due to the texture, flavor, smell, or even the effects the food has on their tummies and skin. Here are a few reasons why your furry friend may not be eating their food and what you can do about it.

    Beautiful feline cat eating on a metal bowl
    Image Credit: Krakenimages.com, Shutterstock

    Why Is My Cat a Picky Eater?

    There may be several reasons your cat refuses to eat certain cat foods and treats. Sometimes, it’s as simple as not being exposed to a variety of foods as a kitten. If your cat has always eaten canned food, kibble may seem too foreign to your cat, and they may refuse to eat it. New, strong smells and tastes may be too unfamiliar to your cat for them to have any interest in eating it.

    Some cats may be picky eaters because they don’t like the ingredients that are in the food they’ve been presented with. If your cat has had a negative reaction to dairy, certain proteins, grains, sugars, by-products, artificial flavors, or any other ingredient found in the food they’ve been offered, it’s unsurprising that they won’t want to eat it again.

    Ensure your cat receives high-quality cat food, and consider trying out some hypoallergenic options, as your cat may show more interest in diets with fewer ingredients that are usually easier for them to digest. High-quality cat foods are more expensive, but they’re healthier and will benefit your cat overall.

    Your cat may also refuse to eat because they have dental issues, and biting into their crunchy kibble is too painful for their teeth and gums. If your cat has suddenly stopped eating, it’s always best to get them checked by the vet to ensure that the reason for their food disinterest isn’t due to an underlying health issue.

    birman cat eating
    Image Credit: Patrik Slezak, Shutterstock

    Getting Your Picky Eater to Eat

    If your cat has seemingly gone off their food and no longer wants to eat it, there are a couple of things you can do to encourage them to eat. You can try to place some of their food on their tongue so they can taste it. Sometimes, this will kickstart their appetite, and they’ll be encouraged to eat the food in front of them once they taste it.

    If their daily food consists of canned food, try to give them their food warmed up slightly. You can also try to offer your cat different flavors as they may have become tired of the taste of their usual food. Giving your cat new textures can also be a way to get them to start eating. Often a cat may turn their nose up at their kibble but happily eat up canned food or a pate.

    However, if you swap your cat’s food for something new and they refuse to eat it, placing both the new food and old food down next to each other may encourage eating. Once your cat has become used to the new food, you can remove the old food.

    As much as your cat may have become picky over their food, they should always be drinking water. A cat that isn’t receiving any liquids is at risk for dehydration, and you should take them to the vet because there is likely something wrong with their health.

    maine coon cat eating
    Image Credit: Lita Keire, Shutterstock

    How to Help Your Picky Eater

    If you’ve got a picky eater, you’re going to have to get more creative and disciplined around mealtimes to make eating enticing for your cat.

    Wet food on its own or mixed with kibble tends to be a tastier option for cats. Some cats don’t enjoy the crunchiness of kibble and will avoid it altogether. Wet food tends to have more protein, and it provides your cat with extra moisture.

    If canned food alone isn’t appetizing enough for your cat, add some shredded chicken, stock, or tuna water to enhance the smell and taste. You can even attempt this over their kibble to improve the smell and soften the pellets.

    Feeding times are far more important than they’re given credit for. Cats thrive off habit and love predictability as it makes them feel secure and in control. When you feed your cat at specific times per day, their bodies will fall into sync, and they’ll start to feel hungry around mealtimes, which will motivate them to eat.

    If you can’t maintain a set feeding schedule because you work different shifts, you could consider buying an automatic cat feeder that releases their food at the times you’ve set it each day. You can even record a customizable voice message through the feeder to call your cat to their bowl when mealtimes arrive.3 cat face divider

    Conclusion

    There are many reasons you might be dealing with a picky eater. Your cat may not like the smell, taste, or texture of the food you’ve offered them, or they may not like the type of ingredients used. Felix As Good As It Looks Doubly Delicious Wet Cat Food is our best overall option. They’re a well-known brand that uses high-quality ingredients. IAMS Delights Wet Food Land and Sea Collection takes first place for affordability, and Royal Canin Sensory Smell has been designed to activate your picky eater’s senses.

    Whiskas 2-12 months Kitten Pure Delight is a tasty and soft option for kittens, and Sheba Select Slices in Gravy has been created with the help of scientists and is vet-approved.


    Featured Image Credit: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock

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