This is a specific conversation about Cat food — getting it right — ask about yours and get one honest answer for your exact situation.
inparticular.ai
At 17 and in the end-of-life stage, your cat's nutritional needs have shifted — and honestly, palatability becomes the priority. A cat who won't eat anything is far worse off than one eating something imperfect. Cats are obligate carnivores with very specific needs, and wet food is especially important now for hydration, since ageing kidneys struggle more than ever. Before I suggest anything, tell me: is your cat still eating at all, and are there any specific health issues in the picture — kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, dental problems? And what have you tried so far that she's rejected?
She's a 17-year-old female, diagnosed with chronic kidney disease about a year ago. She's been on a renal diet but has started refusing it. She'll occasionally eat a little bit of something if it smells strong. No teeth problems. I just want her to eat something and be comfortable.
inparticular.ai
That's a really common and heartbreaking situation with CKD cats — the renal diet keeps the kidneys from being overworked, but if she's not eating it, it's doing nothing. At this stage, most vets take the view that quality of life and getting calories in outweighs strict dietary management. Strong smell is the key — older cats and CKD cats often have reduced appetite partly because their sense of smell dulls. Has she shown any preference for particular proteins, like fish versus chicken? And is she losing weight noticeably, or holding fairly steady?
She's definitely lost weight. She seems to prefer fish when she does eat. Her vet said not to stress too much about the renal diet at this point and just focus on getting food into her.
inparticular.ai
That's the right call from your vet, and it gives you a lot more flexibility. For a cat in this situation — elderly, CKD, weight loss, fish preference, needs strong aroma to tempt her — I'd point you to Sheba Perfect Portions pâté in fish varieties, particularly the tuna and salmon flavours. Here's why it works well here: the texture is very smooth and soft so there's no chewing effort, the portions are tiny and sealed individually so every serving is fresh and aromatic when you open it, and cats who've gone off food often respond well to that hit of fresh smell. The high moisture content supports her kidneys passively without her having to drink. The individual portions also mean no waste if she only manages a few licks — which at this stage is realistic. You can warm it very slightly (not hot) to intensify the smell further, which often makes a real difference. It's widely available and not expensive, so you can try a variety pack without committing to a bulk order.
That sounds like something she might actually go for. Is there anything else I can do to encourage her to eat more?
inparticular.ai
A few things that genuinely help: warming the food to just below body temperature — around 35°C — is probably the single most effective trick, as it releases the aroma cats respond to. Offer small amounts frequently rather than full portions twice a day, since a large bowl can be off-putting when appetite is poor. Try different locations too — sometimes a cat who won't eat from their usual spot will eat from somewhere quieter or closer to where they like to rest. A small drizzle of tuna brine (from a tin in spring water, not brine) over the top can also entice a reluctant eater. And don't be hard on yourself if she has days where she eats very little — it's part of this stage, and you're clearly doing everything right by her.
Thank you. This is really helpful. I'll get the Sheba pâté and try warming it.
inparticular.ai
I hope she takes to it. The individual sealed portions make it easy to try without waste, and the fish varieties tend to be the most aromatic. You're focusing on the right thing now — comfort and getting something into her. Take care of yourself too; this stage is hard.
