Most cats love eating, whether it's premium pet food, leftovers scavenged from a trash can or even an unfortunate bird. Many will keep chomping on treats until their owner stops handing them out. Others are far more choosy and persuading them to eat can be difficult.

If your cat is a member of Team Fussy Felines, here is some expert advice on getting it to eat.

Being a picky eater is not uncommon for cats, according to Dr. Gabrielle Fadl, medical director of Bond Vet in New York City, and this behavior may be evolutionary or instinctual.

"Cats might not like cold canned food because it is more natural for them to eat prey that is still warm. Other picky eating behaviors may just come down to individual preference, such as liking a certain flavor or food shape, texture, smell and so on," she told Newsweek.

Vicki Jo Harrison, president of the International Cat Association, warned that a sudden loss of appetite is one of the indicators that something is wrong with your pet.

"Potential causes for a change in a cat's eating habits and their consistent refusal to eat can include kidney disease, cat flu, diabetes, fever, hyperthyroidism and pancreatitis. If your cat is acting unusual and is vomiting, lethargic or has a fever, seek veterinary help immediately."

Your cat might also refuse food because it has a sore tooth or inflamed gums making eating painful, Harrison told Newsweek. "If your feline seems reluctant to eat, only chews on one side of their mouth, or won't let you touch their head or mouth, they might need a dental check-up."

Refusal to eat is not always related to a physical ailment, she added. Cats can become fussy or bored with their food, and they might refuse a meal occasionally just because they don't feel like it. Behavioral issues such as stress, anxiety, depression or a change in routine or environment can also play a role, Harrison added.

If your cat has eaten something that made it sick, it may not be interested in meals until it has fully recovered. "A cat that vomits or has diarrhea [may] have ingested something they should not have. Call your veterinarian if the vomiting persists and their appetite does not return to normal after a day or so. Don't wait more than two days because cats can develop serious health issues if they go without food for longer than 72 hours," said Harrison.

Food avoidance can have a serious impact on a cat's health if it persists for 24 hours or more, she added.

Fadl recommends experimenting to see which foods your cat likes best. "Try wet and dry food options, different sizes of kibbles or 'chunks' in gravy, textures, and so on. Once you find something your cat likes, try to stick with that, assuming it is a good-quality, nutritionally complete and balanced food."

You can also warm your cat's canned food, Harrison suggested, or stop offering treats during the day so you only feed it when it is hungry.

If you find a meal that you know your fussy cat likes and your vet approves of it, you should stick to it, said Fadl. Cats don't need much variety.

She also suggests adding wet food or a topper to cats' diet to tempt them to eat. "Just make sure they are eating their nutritious food and not just the flavoring, gravy, or topper alone.

"You can also try hand feeding them or petting them while they eat. Although once this habit is started, some cats will demand this attention at every meal."

Cats particularly enjoy the flavor of proteins and amino acids, according to Harrison. "Try feeding them something that stimulates their appetite such as canned sardines, tuna or cooked chicken in moderation."

If your cat is still not eating and other possible causes have been ruled out, you might want to change its pet food, she added. "Stick with their previous preference of wet or dry food and introduce them to the new formula over a period of 7-10 days by gradually adding more of the new food to each meal. Sudden changes in diet can lead to diarrhea and vomiting.

"Sometimes a simple change in recipe is all it will take to appeal to their tastebuds."

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