Many older animals experience a loss of appetite as they age, due to their diminishing senses of taste and smell. For owners of older cats, experts recommend putting out smaller amounts of food more often throughout the day, up to four to six times. Many owners have found success in thinking beyond the familiar cat food entrees and mixing up the flavors with tastes that will pique the cat’s interests. At the same time, experimenting with a large number of varieties in search of "the one” can provide too much choice and be overwhelming for the cat.
If the food has been in the refrigerator, gently warm it to room temperature to increase its palatability. Avoid leaving wet food out for more than an hour if the cat does not eat it. If the loss of appetite is persistent, consider visiting a veterinarian to check whether a more serious underlying health condition may be the cause.