If your kitty is turning up their nose at food due to the supplements, you're not alone! Cats can be especially sensitive to even the smallest changes in scent or taste. While our supplements are mildly scented and free from artificial additives, they do have a natural herbal flavor that some cats may notice.
To help with this, here are a few tips and tricks that may make things easier:
1. Give them a break: First, we recommend giving your little one a one-week break. This brief pause will help “reset” their system and allow you to start the supplementation from scratch with a clean slate.
2. Introduce the supplement gradually: Start with a lower dosage than the recommended and increase it over the course of 4-5 days (or more if necessary), until reaching the recommended dosage to give them time to adapt to the taste.
3. Mix with favorite food or treats: Try blending the supplement into your cat’s favorite treat—something you know they won’t turn down. Scent-rich options like lickable treats, canned food, tuna juice, plain yogurt, or a bit of bone broth can also help mask the herbal taste. Before mixing the supplement with food, you can also slightly warm up just the food (never the supplement) to enhance the aroma and make it more attractive.
4. Bone Broth: If using bone broth from the store, always check the ingredients. Many commercial broths contain onions, which are toxic to cats and dogs. NHV offers a pet-safe, homemade bone broth on our website, or you can easily make your own at home!
5. Direct Administration: Some cats don’t mind taking supplements directly by mouth. For the best results, we recommend placing the supplement into the cheek pocket, near the back teeth, for smoother administration and easier swallowing. Also, immediately follow the supplement with enthusiastic praise and a delicious treat. This way, they will learn that taking the supplement leads to a reward, making the experience enjoyable while encouraging cooperation.
With a little patience and some experimentation, you’ll find what works best for your kitty. Our Pet Experts are always here to help if you have any further questions.💚