Siamese cat rejects chicken — what to feed instead

A Siamese who knows what they want and isn't shy about it — that sounds very on-brand for the breed. The chicken rejection is actually more common than people realise, and at 10 years old with Siamese-specific kidney vulnerability, finding a protein they'll actually eat consistently matters a lot. Cats are obligate carnivores with precise nutritional needs, and wet food is genuinely important at this age for hydration and kidney support — many dry-food-heavy diets quietly contribute to chronic kidney disease over time. To point you in the right direction: any health issues I should know about, and what have you tried so far beyond chicken?

The fish concern is reasonable — you're right that some fish-heavy diets have historically been linked to thiamine deficiency and mercury load if they're low quality. But a good quality fish-based wet food as her primary protein is absolutely fine, and for a Siamese at 10 who's already showing kidney-healthy bloodwork, getting proper hydration from wet food should be the priority. The dry food habit is worth scaling back gradually — it's doing her no favours on the kidney front, even if she tolerates it fine right now. Can I ask — does she go for tuna, salmon, or more white fish like cod when you've offered them?

Perfect — that makes this straightforward. My recommendation is Applaws Tuna Fillet in Broth wet cat food. It's one of the cleanest options on the market: the ingredient list is essentially tuna, broth, and nothing else — no chicken, no fillers, no grain, no thickeners. The broth content is excellent for hydration, which is exactly what you want for a 10-year-old Siamese. It's high in natural protein, low in carbohydrates, and because it's not a flavoured paste but actual fish, it tends to pass the test with cats who are particular about texture and taste. At her age, you want something she'll eat reliably and that supports kidney function quietly in the background — this does both. Transition the dry food down over a few weeks rather than cutting it immediately, just to avoid digestive upset.

Applaws tuna pouches are a complementary food rather than complete — it's worth being clear on that. For a 10-year-old, you'll want to pair them with a complete wet food to cover taurine, vitamins, and minerals at the right levels. A practical approach: use Applaws as the base of her meals because she loves it and it's excellent quality, then add a small amount of a complete wet food like Lily's Kitchen or Canagan alongside it. Some owners also rotate in a complete tuna or fish recipe from those brands to keep things simple. The main thing is she's eating well and getting the hydration — at her age that genuinely makes a measurable difference to kidney longevity.

That's a solid plan. Lily's Kitchen do a fish-based complete wet food that should go alongside the Applaws without triggering any chicken-related protests. Keep an eye on how much she's drinking over the first few weeks of reducing dry food — some cats take a little while to get their hydration from food rather than the water bowl, but most adjust well. Given she's vocal about preferences, she'll probably let you know if something doesn't suit her. Good luck with her.