Click to Skip Ahead
Cats are notoriously picky eaters. If you’ve had cats in your life, you’ve most likely experienced this. You’ll buy cat food, usually very expensive, only to watch your cat turn their nose up and walk away without even trying it. While it’s annoying, this behavior is part of life with cats. However, when your cat starts to avoid food altogether and only focuses on their treats, it can be alarming, even for veteran cat owners.
There are several reasons your cat may be eating their treats and nothing else. Perhaps, like humans, they enjoy the taste of their treats since they are equivalent to our junk food. Then again, there could be more serious issues behind this change in behavior. In this article, we’ll take a deeper look and help you determine what’s happening with your kitty.
The 3 Common Reasons Your Cat Only Wants to Eat Treats
While there are several reasons your cat is only eating treats, understanding each can help you better determine what’s happening with your feline friend.
1. Dislike of Their Food
Cats can be very picky. You may be providing them with the same dry food they’ve always enjoyed, but something has changed, and now they dislike it. This could be a small formula change the company hasn’t promoted, a difference in texture, or even a change in the aroma of the food. Remember, your cat’s senses are far more advanced than yours. They can pick up on the most subtle change and determine the food is no longer their favorite.
2. Losing Their Appetite
Treats are tastier than regular cat food. If your cat’s appetite is decreasing, they may prefer the treats to kibble. Cats can have days where they simply aren’t into eating, but a prolonged loss of appetite can be concerning. Several medical conditions can cause your cat to lose their appetite. If this continues or you notice other signs such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or weight loss, you should schedule a visit with the veterinarian for a checkup.
3. Treats Taste Better
Not only are cats picky, but they are also the kings and queens of getting their way. If your cat enjoys their treats, or you’ve switched to an overly scrumptious brand, it may cause them to push the food to the side in hopes of conning you into providing more of the good stuff.
Is Only Eating Treats Dangerous for My Cat?
Unfortunately, when a cat only eats treats, serious problems can arise. Like most animals, cats need certain nutrients to be healthy. They need a balanced diet of protein, fats, and carbs. The cat food you buy at the store or online is designed to meet your cat’s needs. While your cat may be more drawn to particular brands due to the taste, most on the market follow guidelines to ensure your cat’s dietary requirements. However, the quality varies. Treats are not held to the same standards; they complement your cat’s diet and are not intended to be a primary source of nutrition.
There are also medical concerns associated with your cat only eating treats. If a cat avoids food or eats sparingly for several days, they can contract hepatic lipidosis. The disease is also known as fatty liver syndrome. When cats aren’t eating, their bodies will attempt to digest their fat to provide them with the nutrition they need.
This results in an excessive amount of fat mobilized to the liver. Since the liver cannot process it all, the fat accumulates in the liver cells, disturbing its shape and functionality. Hepatic lipidosis is common in overweight cats but can affect any cat that isn’t eating properly. In most cases, lengthy hospitalizations are required since the disease is difficult to treat. The condition is likely to be fatal if not treated on time.
How Do I Resolve the Issue?
Of course, if your cat is only eating treats, you will be concerned. In an attempt to resolve the issue, the first thing you should do is schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Most likely, your vet will want to perform blood work or a few lab tests to ensure there is nothing wrong with your cat. If your cat is in good health, it’s time to look at the food.
Cat food brands change things from time to time. If that’s the situation you’re facing, it may be best to find another brand. Before you do this, however, check the expiration date on your current food to see if it has gone bad. Also, check for staleness or odd smells. If any issues are present, try a fresh bag of food before finding a new brand.
You may also want to consider adding wet food or cooked, unseasoned meat to the food to entice your cat. We recommend that you either stop offering treats for a while or figure out a way to only offer them as a reward for eating their food first. Do this even if they only take a few mouthfuls at the beginning; you can work toward gradually increasing this amount.
Final Thoughts
It’s clear that a cat that only eats treats isn’t getting everything they need nutritionally. If your cat is avoiding their food and waiting for you to offer treats, you must act quickly to rectify the issue. Whether it’s something medical, a change to the food’s formula, an out-of-date bag, or a behavior issue, getting to the bottom of the problem is your only option.
Featured Image Credit: Andriy Blokhin, Shutterstock
