Maybe you can try to associate the food with a label? So that the cats can point at a label or color or whatever the association with a flavor is, to show you what it wants in the Moment?
I do this, and it’s still only like a 60% chance it’ll appeal to my cat in the moment. I just let it sit until she either eats it or it’s been 6+ hours (she’ll generally eat it within 1-2 hours, though). I use wet food pouches, and only put a little in the dish at a time, so it’s not a huge waste, but it’s annoying when she chooses a flavor and still doesn’t want it.
Tbh, it’s not even a question in my mind about whether she’s worth the hassle. I’m not an especially patient person, and I grew up with very tolerant and well behaved dogs, so I had much the same thought before I adopted my cat, but she’s absolutely delightful. She’s sometimes picky, but she communicates pretty well to me, so what she’s thinking is not normally a mystery.
Coming home to her climbing all over me and aggressively nuzzling my face is one of my favorite things in life and it’s totally worth a little guesswork on her preferences. That obviously isn’t totally universal, but I didn’t consider myself a cat person before, so it might be true for you as well.
I decided to get a cat after hanging out with my sister’s friendly cats and realizing that I do love cats, as long as they’re not the shitty stereotype I had of a standoffish, hissing, scratching asshole.
Maybe you can try to associate the food with a label? So that the cats can point at a label or color or whatever the association with a flavor is, to show you what it wants in the Moment?
I do this, and it’s still only like a 60% chance it’ll appeal to my cat in the moment. I just let it sit until she either eats it or it’s been 6+ hours (she’ll generally eat it within 1-2 hours, though). I use wet food pouches, and only put a little in the dish at a time, so it’s not a huge waste, but it’s annoying when she chooses a flavor and still doesn’t want it.
Evey time I entertain the thought about adopting a cat I think about stuff like this and nope right out.
If a person would act like that you would hate their guts :D
Tbh, it’s not even a question in my mind about whether she’s worth the hassle. I’m not an especially patient person, and I grew up with very tolerant and well behaved dogs, so I had much the same thought before I adopted my cat, but she’s absolutely delightful. She’s sometimes picky, but she communicates pretty well to me, so what she’s thinking is not normally a mystery.
Coming home to her climbing all over me and aggressively nuzzling my face is one of my favorite things in life and it’s totally worth a little guesswork on her preferences. That obviously isn’t totally universal, but I didn’t consider myself a cat person before, so it might be true for you as well.
I decided to get a cat after hanging out with my sister’s friendly cats and realizing that I do love cats, as long as they’re not the shitty stereotype I had of a standoffish, hissing, scratching asshole.