Sphynx won't eat senior cat food? Try this

A Sphynx who ate their new senior food for two days and then walked away — that's classic texture rejection, and it's more common than people realise, especially with pâtés or chunky terrines. Senior cats often need higher protein (not lower), reduced phosphorus to support kidney health, and plenty of moisture from wet food. But the right pick really depends on your cat's health and what's putting them off. How old is your Sphynx exactly, are there any diagnosed conditions like kidney disease or hyperthyroidism, and what was the food they rejected — do you know if it was a pâté, chunks in jelly, or something else?

That tells us a lot. She's not sick of the idea of wet food — she's sick of that texture. Pâtés are dense and smooth in a way some cats find offputting after the novelty wears off, and Sphynx can be particularly opinionated about mouthfeel. Since she gravitates toward broth and gravy textures and her kidneys are currently healthy, I'd steer clear of prescription renal foods for now and just focus on finding a high-quality wet food she'll actually eat consistently. Can I ask — is she eating anything at the moment, or has she gone off food entirely since you introduced the senior formula?

Perfect — that's exactly the information I needed. She's not a fussy eater in general, she just rejected that specific format. My recommendation is Applaws Tuna Fillet in Broth. It's a very simple product: whole tuna fillet pieces in a light, clear broth — high in natural protein, low in phosphorus compared to most mainstream foods, and contains no grains, fillers or emulsifiers that can make pâtés dense and unappealing. The texture is genuinely different to anything pâté-style: distinct flakes sitting in liquid, which sounds exactly like what your girl prefers. It's not labelled 'senior' but the nutritional profile is well-suited to an older cat — high protein, natural moisture, minimal junk. Given her age, I'd also suggest getting a kidney panel done at her next vet visit just as a baseline, but right now this food should serve her well.

Good question, and an important one. Applaws Tuna Fillet in Broth is a complementary food, not a complete one — so it shouldn't be the only thing she eats. The way most people use it is as a primary meal alongside a complete wet food, or rotating it with something that carries the full nutrient profile. A good pairing would be Animonda Carny Adult in the pouch format — it's a complete wet food with a soft, moist texture in a light sauce rather than a dense pâté, and it tends to go down well with cats who rejected the heavier styles. Between the two, she'd be getting complete nutrition and a texture she's likely to accept. Does that kind of rotation approach work for you, or would you prefer something that's complete on its own?

I think she'll like it — the broth format is a genuinely different eating experience to what she rejected. Start with just a few pouches before committing to a bulk order, since even cats with clear texture preferences can surprise you. And do keep an eye on her appetite generally as she gets older — any sustained drop in interest in food at 13 is worth flagging with the vet, even if she's otherwise well. Hope she takes to it straightaway.