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My cat refuses cat food and only eats tuna. What should I do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Male | neutered | 9 months and 8 days old | 8 lbs

My cat isn't eating cat food but only canned Tuna, what should I do?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Lauren Jones VMD

Veterinarian

Published on June 9th, 2018

Feeding tuna alone is not a balanced diet for Muffin, and could result in a variety of health problems from vitamin and mineral deficiencies. In order to get Muffin to eat cat food, you can try mixing the canned tuna with cat food. Then gradually decrease the amount of tuna being offered while increasing the amount of cat food over the course of a week. Canned cat food may be easier to mix with the canned tuna since Muffin is more likely to be able to pick the tuna pieces out of dry food. Since he seems to have a preference for tuna, try to find seafood based foods. I hope this helps and that all goes well!

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Mix a little bit of fishy cat food (canned) into the tuna. Do a little bit more every day. Start with very small amounts and add a small amount more every day. Take the same amount of tuna away. Make sure it is mixed in well. This may work. Eventually you will have every bit of tuna replaced.

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