How can I introduce a British Shorthair to a new feeding bowl?

Start by putting the new bowl beside the old one for a few days so the cat can sniff it without pressure. Then gradually move the food into the new bowl while keeping the old one clean and empty nearby - most cats will switch when they see the familiar food in the new spot. I've done this with all my cats and it works because they're creatures of habit, not fans of sudden change.

Putting the new bowl next to the old one is the standard advice, but I'd argue it's not always the best approach - British Shorthairs can be stubborn about texture and material. I'd skip the gradual switch and instead just put the new bowl in the exact same spot as the old one, filled with a strong-smelling treat like tuna juice or a bit of wet food, while removing the old bowl entirely. They'll investigate the familiar smell and location, and the novelty of the bowl itself becomes secondary. From my experience, overcomplicating it with slow transitions just gives them more time to be suspicious - a direct swap forces them to adapt quicker.

I honestly just put the new bowl down with their favorite wet food and hoped for the best - my British Shorthair sniffed it suspiciously for a minute then ate like nothing changed. If yours is picky, maybe try feeding a tiny bit of a high-value treat from the new bowl by hand first to build a positive association.

Changing the bowl can feel like a disruption to their territory, so the key is making it a positive discovery rather than a forced swap. I’d suggest leaving the new bowl out empty in a different spot for a day or two, letting your cat investigate it on their own terms without any food pressure. Once they’ve sniffed it and rubbed against it, you can put a tiny amount of their favorite treat or wet food inside, right next to the old bowl still filled with their regular meal. This way, they associate the new object with something rewarding without feeling rushed or confused by a sudden change in their routine.

Put the new bowl on the floor next to the old one, but leave it completely empty for the first two days. British Shorthairs are suspicious little bastards, so they need to sniff and paw at it without any food pressure - once they decide the plastic or ceramic isn't trying to murder them, drop a single piece of kibble or a dab of wet food in there. I'd skip the whole "gradually mix" nonsense and just make the new bowl the only one with a treat, then swap the full meal in after they've licked it clean a couple times.

Take the old bowl away entirely and put the new one in the same spot with a few treats on top. Let them approach it on their own timeline - if they ignore it, try putting a tiny smear of the wet food they like on the rim. They'll usually check it out within a day once they realize the old bowl isn't coming back.