Even for devoted cat owners, cats can be a bit of a mystery. Of course, that’s part of what makes them so fun to live with. From their peculiar behaviors to their range of vocal tones, cats will keep you on your toes. Unfortunately, many cats have a quirk that can be a real concern to their owners: picky eating.

If you’ve got one of those famously persnickety kitties, you know well the sometimes desperate measures you’ll go to in order to get them to eat, buying brand after brand, flavor after flavor and texture after texture. Presenting your finicky cat with a range of food options can make you start to feel like a royal chef presenting a smorgasbord of dishes to an unsatisfied king. And some cats even reject former favorites, out of the blue, once you’ve started thanking your lucky stars that you found the right option.

The real concern for cat owners is making sure that their beloved buddies are getting enough nutrition to stay healthy. So how can you overcome kitty’s fussy food habits?

One good place to start is offering him a high-quality, raw cat food. Cats’ evolution as hunters is still alive, even in your little couch pal, and raw food both attracts cats and fulfills their most important nutritional needs, in a way that their bodies are designed to handle. Sojos Turkey Complete Cat Food is a simple, convenient way to feed raw – simply soak the dry food (which contains freeze-dried turkey as well as a range of vegetables, vitamins and minerals) for the suggested amount of time, before offering it to your cat. Transition is often the key to success when switching your cat’s diet. Remember, if she turns her nose up at first, it does not mean this isn’t the diet for her. Patience, persistence, and consistency will help.

Free feeding can also lead to bad eating habits and disenchantment. Felines, innately, want to feel like they are “hunting” their prey. Grazing kills their spirit and they lose track of what mealtime (hunting) feels like. Start feeding on a more regular schedule, such as morning and night, setting out the food for a limited period of time. Kitty will quickly catch onto the new arrangement and it will help to encourage eating what’s set out.

Other tricks to try:

* Make sure your cat’s bowl is clean. After she’s finished eating, wash the bowl thoroughly. If you know your cat is sensitive to smells, use unscented detergent.

* Keep bowls for food and water well away from high-traffic areas of your home. If you also have dogs, your cat will likely prefer to eat in an area where Fido won’t be looming overhead and trying to steal a bite.

* Don’t serve food too cold. If you soak Sojos cat food ahead of time, you should put it in the refrigerator. Try letting it come closer to room temperature if you have a picky cat; she might be sensitive to temperature.