Whisker roots are packed with nerve endings, and narrow deep bowls press them at every bite, which some cats visibly resist.
Typical signs include pulling food out to eat it, skimming only the center, and frequent pauses mid-meal, the pattern described by the whisker-fatigue hypothesis.
Switching to a wide shallow dish on a stable non-slip base usually helps, though whisker fatigue remains a behavioral hypothesis rather than settled science.
If refusal or odd eating continues with a shallow dish, do not blame the bowl; have a vet check teeth, mouth, and digestion.
