Picky, picky, doesn't like treats

[Elfgirl]

Heyas,

My new kitty, Arwen, has been living with me for about three weeks now. She's a stray that just kinda moved in and wrapped me around her little paw with surprisingly little effort (I'm a dog person born and bred...only had one other cat in my entire 22 years who's ever even given me the time of day) and we're still getting used to each other...I'm finding out how distressingly little I know about cats despite having ALWAYS had at least one in the house growing up, and she's still trying to get it through her head that she doesn't need to gulp down food the instant it's put out 'cause there's always gonna be more.

She's a very healthy, affectionate baby, but she seems to be very picky about cat treats. She'll eat anything I put in her bowl (she's on a diet of Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul and California Natural right now), she is CONVINCED that anything I happen to have on my plate was meant to be shared, but I've bought her a couple different brands of cat treats and she just turns up her nose at them. I'm trying to find something that will work as a reward for good behavior (we're having some issues with her shoving her face in my food and drinks, as well as getting a little rough during playtime), but I don't want to feed her people food...which she really seems to like...contrary child has managed to sneak everything from cookie crumbs, to pizza toppings, to POPCORN of all things and eaten them all with evident relish before I can get them away from her. So...what do I treat such a discriminating palate with?

Lovies,
Elfgirl

[opokki]

You might have luck with Halo live-a-little treats. They come in chicken, beef or fish....they are chunks of freeze dried meat. I've only tried the chicken one and my cats went nuts over them.

['too crazy]

My daughter found a stray kitten who was almost dead from starvation. Once we got it healthy, she was always wanting to eat and she finished the whole bowl. We figured it was probably because she was starving and thats why she ate like that. When she was about a year old, she finally stopped pigging out but she still tends to eat more than the other 3. Since your new kitty was a stray, she might have been going hungry and thats why she wants to eat everything. Just keep an eye on he kitty's weight as you don't want her to become to fat. I don't give my cats treats so I have no suggestion there but good luck!:)

[catman1]

She's a very healthy, affectionate baby, but she seems to be very picky about cat treats.
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Elfgirl my cat is picky also but he loves Temptations Sea food Medly for a treat.You may want to try them.
catmn

[Furbaby Mom]

I have a few that won't eat treats of any kind! A warning though, giving them a treat after they beg for food off your plate may not teach them what you want, if you are reinforcing their begging with a reward. Cats can learn what is not acceptable thru repetition. Perhaps redirect them to a cat tree or toy instead of food? If you don't have a cat tree, suggest you get one - they are life savers!!

[catman1]

Cats can learn what is not acceptable thru repetition. Perhaps redirect them to a cat tree or toy instead of food?
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Amy Babbas got access to dry food 24-7.He gets canned food for breakfast and dinner.We always eat at the same time.Before i go to bed i have a snack and he wants his to then its time to go to sleep.Cats are a very intelligent animal and will give a person a lot of great companionship.Hes a big part of our family and is treated as a equal.I wouldn't have any other way.Yes he owns me.LOL
catman

[nedran]

You may have to try many different types of treats before you find out what she likes. Chrissie would not have anything to do with cat treats, I think she thought they were beneath her. Her two favorite treats were cantaloupe and HOT herbal tea. We learned early on to give her hers first or she would take yours away from you. The vet thought she was nuts and never heard of a cat eating cantaloupe or drinking tea.

['too crazy]

I had a cat whole like cantelope and watermelon but hot tea? Thats one I've never heard before. Did you give it to her in a cup or a bowl?

[macassie]

I used to have a kitty that liked cold coffee (black) and sweet peas.

My dog loves watermelon and cantaloupe, but my cats would think I was nuts if I tried to give them that. lol!

[nedran]

I found out Chrissie liked hot herbal tea the hard way. I made it for myself and had it on the end table. I heard this strange sound and there she was drinking the tea I had just made. From that point on, whenever I made myself a cup, I had to make her one too. She refused to drink it out of a bowl so she had her own cup.

[catman1]

Cats eating Cantelope is not that unusal.I know Babba loves it and will also eat olives and loves a banana milkshake once in awhile.I never tried tea with him but he may like it.
catman

[WhiteTiger]

Originally posted by nedran
I found out Chrissie liked hot herbal tea the hard way. I made it for myself and had it on the end table. I heard this strange sound and there she was drinking the tea I had just made. From that point on, whenever I made myself a cup, I had to make her one too. She refused to drink it out of a bowl so she had her own cup.


Funny.....


I don't have domestic cats, but I can relate to unusual treats that my Cats enjoy.


Taya, she is a 3.4 foot long mother Snow Leopard, loves watermelon.

First time she went for a watermelon [shipped in], she nearly gave me a heartattack for she leapt onto the table while I was having a quick snack, sunk her claws and teeth into the melon and literally tore it apart to get at the soft fruit.


Rayo, she is an 8 foot long Siberian Tiger, she likes eating rice cakes.

She'll go nuts for them, espiecally when my grandmother ships some homemade ones for they are really good.:D


Oayo, is a 4 foot long father Snow Leopard, he likes green tea. He'll sit beside my brother a huge bowl of tea, lapping it up like crazy. Guess what is good for our hearts [green tea] is good for his too.


Syat, is a 11 foot long male Siberian Tiger, he eats fish....

nedran you thought you learned about your cat's treat the hard way.

When we were eating a fish dinner, Syat who had been in the living room, trotted in, sniffed the air, and then literally pounced on the table.

A table not designed to withstand the weight of a 943 pound Tiger. Legs gave out, the table hit the floor like a rock, and all the time Syat never stopped eating our fish dinner.

[nedran]

WhiteTiger, that is too funny. I guess I'm lucky Chrissie only weighed 28 pounds. Did Syat share the fish with you? Did Taya let you have some watermelon? At least Chrissie would share with me!

[WhiteTiger]

Taya shared the watermelon in that she tore it to pieces. There were some that could be saved from her nuttiness.


Syat, I think he wanted to share, but he kind of crushed the fish when he landed on the table.

[riskyportia]

My cat loves fruit cocktail and she also likes to eat oranges. And if she finds a bag og fruit snacks or gummi bears laying around she will eat those. We have to keep them under lock and key. She goes crazy for them.I give both of my cats Whiskas Temptations chicken and seafood flavors. They love them.

[catman1]

If you have a cat that is hard to please or won't eat mix some fresh salad shrimp with there meal.
Catman

[lindsayhyle]

My two cats are also very picky when it comes to their treats. The like "Wisker Likens" brand, but not "Friskies". They also will not touch wet food. They have to have their Science Diet. Thankfully, they don't like people food. I have tried all sorts but they act like people food is not good enough for them. Not to hard to figure out who runs our household! LOL. Anyway, when it comes to their treats, they have to sit down and say, "please". I know it sounds crazy, but they both do it or they don't get their treats. It is so cute.

[DrJenAW]

My goofy kitty Mia likes Ruffles Baked Cheddar and Sour Cream potato chips. I don' t know why.

She likes a lot of stuff, but she goes nuts over left over chicken cut up real small from the fridge. Put it in a baggy so it resembles the kitty treats. If you take it right off of your plate and give it to her, she'll think that's ok to eat off of your plate.

Also try to clean up your plates after eating and don't leave glasses lying around the house. Also eat at a table or tv tray because if you set it on the floor or the couch you can't expect them to not eat what you put right in front of them. Put yourself in their paws.

[my_cat_sissy]

Before my Ted crossed the Rainbow Bridge (with garlic breath), he had several surgeries. When I went to pick him up after one surgery the assistant said, "His glucose levels were a little elevated but it didn't stop him from having surgery." To which I innocently replied, "Ummmm.... he likes ice cream." She laughed and said it was fine. Ted was always a beggar! He sat at the kitchen table on a chair patiently waiting for whatever someone would share. His favorites were ice cream and turkey sandwiches! On his last day we shared some garlic bread, chicken parmesan with angel hair pasta, and of course, ice cream.