Cats can be so fussy and discriminating. They can have a "ho-hum" attitude at mealtime for many different reasons.You open a can of food - they look interested and then walk away. They keep meowing and rubbing against your legs. You open another can - offer it - they walk away. AHHHHhhh. This can drive you crazy!

Here are some tips for dealing with a finicky cat:

Cats don't like to have their highly sensitive whiskers touched. If the bowl is too small or the wrong shape your kitty may shy away at mealtimes. Cat food bowls should be shallow and wide. The bowl should also be sturdy so that it doesn't slip around the surface as the cat eats.

Make sure you serve your cat's dinner away from the dog, the noisy kids, the washing machine and the back door. Privacy is important to your cat, especially at meal times.

Make sure the food is fresh. Canned food should not be left out too long. It may become spoiled or covered with insects. Cats also prefer food that is room temperature to mimic the food obtained from a "fresh kill."

Make sure your cat isn't stressed out. Cats internalize their stress and sudden changes in the household or routine may affect your pet.

Examine your cat's mouth and teeth. If your cat is continually pawing or rubbing his mouth, he may have bad gums or bad teeth. Soften his food in some water from a can of tuna or in some clam juice. Bouillon and chicken broth also make dry food softer and tastier.

Make sure your cat isn't just plain bored with his food. If your kitty isn't interested in his meals, try providing a variety of foods to see if that helps. Try feeding your cat canned food or other novel food occasionally to entice her to eat. If your cat still refuses to eat well, offer cooked meats or cooked fish to stimulate her appetite. But, don't feed only cooked meat or fish. Fish-only meals do not constitute a balanced diet. Just use special foods to peak your cat's appetite.

A little creativity and patience will help you keep your cat interested in meals and keep your stress level down while trying to get your finicky feline friend to eat.