Why does my cat eat the jelly but not the meat

What Do You Do If Your Cat Only Eats The Jelly?

Cats are lovelytheyre relatively low maintenance, adorable when they want attention, and they usually do silly things that we humans find hilarious. However, cats can be fussy in many ways; they might prefer your used pile of clothes to the brand-new pet bed you got them or be incredibly picky eaters.

Cats are very particular about the foods they eat. When it comes to wet food, cats rely highly on the foods smell and textures, not necessarily the taste. You might find your kitty only licking the jelly or gravy from wet foods instead of eating the chunks.

Picky cats are not an uncommon problemmany cat owners struggle when changing a cats diet to include wet food. But every change comes with a bit of a learning curve, and in some cases, its essential to take note of your cats eating habits to make sure theyre still healthy. There are, however, a few ways to make wet food more appealing to your furry friend.

Why Would A Cat Only Eat The Jelly?

Yes, your cat might be pickybut its for a good reason! In the wild, cats hunt for food, and their senses are heightened to detect spoiled or rotten meat. Since they are highly susceptible to smells and textures, these aspects of wet foods can either appeal to your cats taste or be downright off-putting.

If your cat is new to wet foods, dont spend your entire budget on one brand! Instead, try a few different brands to find one your cat likes. You might even want to alternate the flavors to keep things interesting. Keep an eye on the ingredients and opt for foods with less artificial flavoring and more animal protein in their recipe.

Keeping an eye on the ingredients helps you keep your cats diet healthy. Some wet food brands add artificial flavorings to make the food more appealing to cats. They will like these wet foods a little more, but its similar to what junk food is for humansit might taste and look appealing, but its terrible for their health. It might even ruin their appetite for less artificial, healthier alternatives.

While domesticated, cats still have those built-in instincts from their wild predecessors. If your cat is new to the home, they might be reluctant to sit down and enjoy an entire bowl of food in one sitting. They might just be consuming the easier-to-eat bits and leaving the rest for later. Alternatively, bigger chunks might be unappealing to some cats.

Give your cat some time to eat. If your cats like to eat slowly, you can leave the wet food out for another hourjust not long enough for it to go stale. If they dont seem to like the chunks at all, try a different recipe. Many cats like wet foods with flakes instead of big pieces, and many cats prefer pates over any chunky wet food types.

Theres also the possibility of a botched batch of cat food. We like to believe pre-bought foods are all quality-tested, but theres always the possibility of one bad batch slipping past notice. If your cats seem to stop being interested in a brand they used to love, but eat other brands fine, contact the customer care line and let them know.

Ensure that your cat has a fresh, clean bowl of water available. Cats might not drink a lot of water since their thirst threshold is relatively high compared to other household pets. That might be why they prefer the jelly and gravy from wet foodsin the wild, a cats need for water is met by moisture from the fresh prey they catch.

Should You Be Worried?

If your cat changes their eating habits suddenly, there might be an underlying issue. If you have ruled out any other possibilities, you should consider a trip to the vet. Cats are masters of hiding their problemsso appetite and habit changes could be the indicator of something much more severe. Not eating the chunks from wet foods could indicate that your cats have dental issues.

Types of Wet Foods

There are so many different types of wet food to choose from; you probably have to test a few to find out what your cat likes. If your cats dont like chunky foods, you can give other types and textures a try to see whether they change your cats mind. These types vary in texture and taste, and each pet might prefer one to the other.

• Shredded
• Loaf-like chunks
• Flakes
• Pate
• Mousse

Chunks, shreds, and flakes usually come in jelly or gravyand your cats might have a preference for either type. Pates and mousses are typically ideal for older cats and kittens, especially if they have a hard time chewing through the chunks or shreds.

How to Get Cats to Eat Wet Food

First things first: cats wont eat if they are hungry enough. Cats are stubborn and determined pets. They are far more likely to starve themselves than eat something they dont like. Experimenting with brands and flavors is very important. Find something that your cat likes instead of forcing them to eat something they dont like.

While you cant force your cat to eat, you might be able to trick them into eating it. There are a lot of methods to make foods more appealing to your furry friend.

1. Just give them a taste. Cats might be a bit skeptical of the food at firstand thats completely normal. Putting some of their wet food on their nose or paws would force them to lick it off. They might like it, or they might notbut it might encourage them to eat the wet food on offer.
2. Heat the wet food before serving it. Heating food can make it smell more appetizing and make the chunks more flavourful and aromatic. Cats rely on smell to guide their eating habits, so they might find warm foods more appealing. Stir the food before serving it, so its evenly warmed, and make sure it isnt hot enough to burn your kitty.
3. Mash the food with a fork. If your cats seem to dislike the chunks but eat the gravy or jelly without a problem, try mashing the pieces with a fork to make it easier for them to eat. This method works for most chunky wet foods. In the process of licking up the gravy or jelly, your cats might accidentally eat the mashed-up chunks as well.
4. Mix wet food with dry food. Cats moving from a dry-food diet to eating wet food might have difficulty adjusting since they arent used to it. If you want to get them to try it out, mix some of the new wet food with their favorite dry foods. It might trick them into eating the wet food along with their dry food.
5. Put a treat in the middle of the wet food. Cats might be more inclined to eat wet food they dont like if there is some reward involvedeven if that sounds ridiculous. Put one or two of their favorite treats in the bowl with their wet food. In their excitement to get to the treats, they might gobble up some of the wet food, too.
6. Stick to set mealtimes. If theyre free-feeding cats, try to set mealtimes for them during the day. Set mealtimes help cats maintain a routine and appetite, and they might eat the wet food more willingly, knowing that this will be their meal.
7. Add some water. Cats intense focus on texture over taste might be whats holding them back. If all else fails, add a little bit of water to their wet food and see whether that changes their approach to the food.

Final Notes

Keep in mind that cats can be what we consider to be picky, just like humans. They can also grow tired of the same flavor over and over, just like we do. Try switching up the flavors or the brand to keep it interesting. They might also be tired of the same texturealternate feeding them wet and dry food if possible.

Dont panic unless this behavior is out of the ordinary and all other issues have been ruled out. If you are concerned, feel free to give your vet a call. Its better to be safe than sorry when it comes to our beloved pets. If your cats dont like something, dont force them to eat it. They are stubborn enough to let themselves starve before eating something they consider unappetizing.

5 IDEAS OF CAT FOOD FOR CATS THAT ONLY LIKE THE GRAVY

Is there a cat food for cats that only like the gravy? Some cats like lick the top of their wet food without eating it. This can be a problem since cats end up not eating enough.

Cats food for cats that only eat the gravy or the jelly on top of the wet food exists. Some cats are greedy and like the taste of the liquid around the wet food or gravy. Some cats may not even eat the food since they only like the sauces taste in it.

This is not always good because most of the gravy sauce or jelly on top of the wet food is full of colorants and other unnatural ingredients.

Do you have a cat that only licks his wet food or likes only gravy? We are going to show you possible solutions to this situation.

MY CAT LICKS FOOD AND GRAVY BUT DOESNT EAT; WHY?

Some cats are smart; they lick the food and do not eat it. Instead, they go for the tasty elements and leave on the plate the real meat.

It is like a child that eats the chocolate cake and hides the meat in the napkins or gives it to the dog as soon as the parents turn their heads. Then, they pretend they eat it all.

If your cat is a licker and not an eater, it can become a problem since he needs to eat. He cant live his life out of chocolate; he has to eat the meat.

Why is a cat only licking the food? Unfortunately, the gravy sauce and the liquid part of the wet food are where all the colorants, carbs, and tasty things are. But those ingredients are not healthy for a cat. This is also why it is addictive for a cat.

Some of the wet food around is not that good since it is too much processed, and there are too many fillers and non-natural ingredients. So the trick is to find natural food for our cats so they do not get sick over time, and in case of a licker, a good cat gravy or soup can make him eat as well.

My cat is a licker too. So I often trick him by buying soups for him, with pieces of meat or fish. In the end, he ends up eating the meat too. In this way, I got him eating wet food as well, not just licking it.

You can do other things to make him eat the food; Ill share some tips below.

CAT FOOD FOR CATS THAT ONLY LIKE THE GRAVY

The problem is to find good cat food for cats that likes only to lick wet food or like gravy. In fact, we want to find natural and healthy food for our babies so that they can stay healthy and eat a bit more.

After some research, we came up with a selection of cat food for cats that only like gravy. But it is also as natural as possible:

It includes:

• Sixteen (16) 2 oz. Pouches Purina Beyond Natural, High Protein, Grain-Free Wet Dog Food Complement, Pacific Tuna Recipe
• Made with regionally sourced tuna
• Wild-caught tuna is sourced from MSC-certified sustainable fisheries
• High in protein
• No corn, wheat, or soy

Just perfect for a cat that only wants to lick; he will start eating the rest of the content. A plus is that it is a natural product.

It contains:

• High protein because cats are carnivores
• Grain-free
• No potatoes, corn, rice, wheat, or processed plant proteins
• Non-GMO Ingredients
• High moisture to help support hydration
• No fillers, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives

It can be a good alternative to give to your cat. He will lick it and eat the meat or fish inside. You can be sure that he will not lick only colorants and preservatives. Look at the ingredients:

Salmon broth, salmon, fish extract, guar gum, and xanthan gum.

It contains:

• Contains (24) 1.4 Ounce Pouches of Wet Cat Food Toppers (8 Classic Chicken Recipe, 8 Tasty Tuna Recipe, 8 Creamy Chicken Bisque)
• All-natural complements for cats made with real white meat chicken or flaked tuna & veggies in an irresistible variety of broths.
• Lickable cat treats or meal complements deliver tasty hydration.
• Convenient pouches make it easy to open and pour.
• No grain, corn, wheat, or soy ingredients

This is another great alternative for cats. It is as natural as you can find around and looks really yummy!

It contains:

• Wholesome recipes make your cat purr with recognizable ingredients like flaked fish and pumpkin that offer homemade-like goodness for cats that like real food.
• High protein These meat-forward recipes feature real tuna and Tilapia in a savory broth To give your cat the protein she needs.
• Non-GMO ingredients The high-quality diets you expect with carefully chosen ingredients for your cat.
• Superfoods Each recipe features pumpkin or cranberries to boost vitamins.
• Grain-free maintains overall wellness with our grain-free wet cat food made with no corn, soy, potatoes, rice, or wheat.

This goes a bit further by adding superfood for your cat; definitely, something to try. It is another great natural alternative.

It includes:

• HQS (High-Quality Sourced) is made with meat or fish that originally were fit for human consumption and that are now used for pet food only
• Rotational Diet
• Source of High Bioavailable Energy
• Low-Fat Content
• High restriction standards for heavy metals (Fish only)

Almo has various foods for cats made from natural sources, including food cats can lick. Even normal wet food is a suitable type of natural food.

TIPS TO GET A CAT LICKER TO BECOME AN EATER

Sometimes you can use some tricks to make your cat actually eat his food and not only lick it. For example:

• Add some water and mix or blend it. Your cat may eat it all, thinking it is more gravy.
• Use some treats next to the leftover wet food. He may eat the treats and then continue eating the food.
• Buy some of the above products and add more wet food. He may eat wet food while licking all the rest.

Additional Natural Cat Treats Ideas

Table could not be displayed.

HOMEMADE CAT GRAVY RECIPES

If you do not trust to buy cat food with gravy because you are afraid it is not natural enough, you can try to make your own food for your cat.

Here are three cat food gravy recipes you can try at home:

Tuna and vegetable gravy

• One can of tuna in water
• 1/2 cup of frozen mixed vegetables
• 1/2 cup of water
• 1 tablespoon of cornstarch

Directions:

1. Combine the tuna (undrained), mixed vegetables, and water in a small saucepan.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer.
3. Mix the cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water in a separate bowl until it forms a paste.
4. Add the cornstarch mixture to the saucepan and stir well.
5. Allow the mixture to cook for a few minutes until it thickens into a gravy.

Chicken and pumpkin gravy

• 1/2 cup of cooked chicken (shredded)
• 1/2 cup of canned pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup of water
• 1 tablespoon of potato starch

Directions:

1. Combine the chicken, pumpkin puree, and water in a small saucepan.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer.
3. In a separate bowl, mix the potato starch with a tablespoon of cold water until it forms a paste.
4. Add the potato starch mixture to the saucepan and stir well.
5. Allow the mixture to cook for a few minutes until it thickens into a gravy.

Beef and sweet potato gravy

• 1/2 cup of cooked beef (chopped)
• 1/2 cup of cooked sweet potato (mashed)
• 1/2 cup of beef broth
• One tablespoon of tapioca starch

Directions:

1. Mix the beef, sweet potato, and broth in a small saucepan.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer.
3. Mix the tapioca starch with a tablespoon of cold water in a separate bowl until it forms a paste.
4. Add the tapioca starch mixture to the saucepan and stir well.
5. Allow the mixture to cook for a few minutes until it thickens into a gravy.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why does my cat only eat the gravy?

Cats are driven by taste. There are many fillers, preservatives, and colorants, and those are tasty in todays cat foods. The excellent taste and flavors attract cats. But it is not a healthy way of eating.

Can I make gravy for my cat?

Yes, gravy can be made at home by boiling the chicken in broth. There are many ways to do it. Cats would like more chicken done by you. Sometimes I boil a bit of chicken for my cats, who like it.

Do cats get bored of eating the same food every day?

If you lived long enough with cats, you know that they get tired of always eating the same thing. You could try to vary the diet from time to time. However, eating only the same food every day is not healthy. Some nutrients could be missing from the diet.

A cat can be used when he is a kitten to eat different things or simply vary a bit the food from time to time from time to time and see how he reacts.

Is cat food with gravy bad?

It is essential to look at the labels and see what is inside any cat food, including gravy. Most of what is around can have a lot of unnatural elements. Therefore try to get the one that is the least processed and the most natural.

CONCLUSION

I hope we could give you some good ideas and useful information. If you want to add anything, leave it in the comments below.