Dear Team Steven,

After a scorching summer here in Ringoes, New Jersey, fall seems to have arrived a bit early. Temperatures have dropped, and it’s a pleasure to spend time outside. Stroller rides around Tabby’s Place are the order of the day, and cats—young and old—are enjoying the final flitters of bees and butterflies as summer ends. Leaves swirling and eddying in the fall breeze delight all, and cats busily store memories of this lush autumn weather for the days when winter comes.

Nonetheless, our big orange ball of fluff, Steven, seems to have much more pragmatic concerns on his mind. A twisting, twirling leaf is eye-catching, all right, but it falls far, far below food on his priority list. It seems Steven is thoroughly convinced his suitemate, Baby, is being fed something much tastier than he is being served.

We separate the two at mealtime, and Steven cries at the door, eager to sample Baby’s food before he finishes his own dish. Our volunteer feeders have explained to Steven that they are eating the very same thing, but he insists on proving this to himself!

What can you say about a cat’s predilection for food, especially one such as Steven, who has developed such a refined palate? As one anonymous author succinctly described a cat’s preferences, “I live for the applause… and the tuna.” For our feline friend, his relationship with food goes far beyond a powerful survival instinct.

As Steven describes it, “I have a sophisticated and demanding relationship with sustenance.” He would be the first to remind you that he is an Obligate Carnivore, which is his fancy way of saying he is obliged to eat meat. He cites this as the reason for his excited meows, ultimatums, and pleas at mealtime. However, this commitment to meat definitely does not negate his interest in other gustatory possibilities.

Whether it’s kibble or caviar, Steven knows what he likes! Yes, high protein, low carb, moisture-rich foods are the healthy mainstay of most cats, but gourmand that he is, Steven is not about to turn up his nose at the odd or unusual entrée or side dish. In fact, he quite candidly informed me that, over the years, Tabby’s Place’s many residents and guests have turned him on to quite a few tasty treats (all, of course, thoroughly vetted by our staff for safety assurance). In fact, some of his friends have even invited him to join them at their food dish. Would that Baby be like that—a closed door, indeed!

Believe it or not, the appealing aroma of a fresh-cut cantaloupe can send a cat like Steven into a frenzy! Not every kitty likes this, but scrambled eggs with a little cheese seem to be very popular, and a pate with pumpkin, peas, carrots, and a dollop of plain yogurt comes highly recommended. The rare cat also appreciates a bit of banana, blueberries, or strawberries—simply for a little flavor treat. And watermelon? Well, Steven and the gang have tried them all, though rarely and in small amounts, of course, and only with veterinary approval.

Despite his belief that he is not getting the same wonderful food that Baby gets, Steven’s health has been ‘steady as she goes,’ which is what we all like to hear at Tabby’s Place. Luckily, despite his many health issues, things stay stable for Steven month to month.

That’s it for this month. Next month, Steven assures me he will provide further insight into “food finickiness.” He’ll give us the 411 on a cheeky list of reasons Tabby’s Place picky eaters give for turning away from even the most lovingly and well-prepared dish. Certainly, inquiring minds will want to know!

Your correspondent,
Tina

P.S. Steven asked me to provide you with this philosophical question to ponder: “Why don’t they just make mouse-flavored cat food?” Think about it: I assure you, there will be a test.