My Cat Only Eats Fancy Feast – Am I A Terrible Pet Parent?

Dear Kev – 

“Hi Kevin, my name is Connie and my question is about cat food.  I have one cat who will eat everything. And I have been feeding her high quality food. But my other cat, named Taison, who is 1 year-old Domestic Short-Hair from Montenegro, is VERY picky, and prefers Fancy Feast, which I personally think is garbage.  But they have to eat something!  How bad is Fancy Feast?  And also, we have budget constraints as we are retired. Thank you!” – Connie, Bolyston, Massachusetts.

Hi Connie –

Thank you for your question. It’s one that many pet parents find themselves quietly whispering to the cat food aisle. First off, you clearly care deeply about your furry companions, and Taison is lucky to have a pet parent who’s putting so much thought into his bowl!

Now, onto the meat of the matter. Fancy Feast. Is it filet mignon? No. Is it fast food? Kind of. Is it toxic trash? No, not at all.

Fancy Feast, especially the “Classic Pâté” varieties, can actually be a better option than some people think. It’s grain-free, relatively high in protein, and cats, particularly picky eaters, often go nuts for it. Could it be improved with human-grade, organic, grass-fed unicorn meat? Sure. But it’s not “garbage.” It’s more like the comfort food of the cat world: not gourmet, but satisfying and safe.

That said, your concern is totally valid. Long-term, higher-quality foods can support better digestion, skin health, and energy levels. But if your budget is tight (and picky Taison has made it clear he’s the Gordon Ramsay of your household), there’s no shame in blending practicality with cat nutrition. Many cat parents do a combo approach, mixing a little Fancy Feast with higher-quality food to please the palate while keeping nutrition up and costs down.

You’re doing great. You’re feeding them, loving them, and worrying enough to write in, which, in cat parenting terms, makes you basically a superhero.

Warm purrs and best wishes,

Petworks Co-Founder Kevin Kinyon is a life-long animal lover who works tirelessly to improve the lives of pets and their parents. Human and animal qualities he values most are integrity, humor, and empathy.

(P.S. Connie, you haven’t truly lived until you’ve tried reasoning with a picky cat. Stay strong.)