Food toys are particularly beneficial for glutton cats because they help fill their hunger by slowing down their food intake. Food toys also help cats with their behavior. Indeed, they stimulate their intellect, mimic hunting and help prevent them from developing behavioral problems caused by boredom.
Primary causes of polyphagia can be behavioral or psychogenic. Reduction of stress, associating food with pleasure, simply liking a particularly palatable food — all might initiate eating too much. Failure to regulate the appetite centers because of a brain disorder is less common, but also possible.
Cats are typically grazers who snack throughout their waking hours, so if your cat finishes their meals and asks for more, this may indicate a problem, ranging from boredom and medical causes to simply needing more calories.
Cats should eat at least two meals each day, about 12 hours apart. But a breakfast, lunch, afternoon, dinner, and right before bed schedule is an equally great option. If more than 12 hours elapses between meals, the stomach can become hyperacidic causing nausea.
If your cat is meowing around a scheduled mealtime it could be them saying, “I'm hungry!” While a meowing cat is not necessarily an automatic sign of hunger, it is generally a sign that they want something…and that something is often food. Cats enjoy routine, and like to eat around the same time every day.
Don't worry – they're hungry, not starving. Just like us, a cat's empty stomach sends signals to its brain when food is needed, usually at around the times of day that they are used to being fed. If you're the person that feeds them, they'll look to you to fulfil this need.
"From age six months to maturity, most cats will do well when fed two times a day." Once the cat becomes an adult, at about one year, feeding once or twice a day is appropriate in most cases. Senior cats, age seven and above, should maintain the same feeding regimen.
If your cat is hungry all the time, it could be a sign of a serious health issue like hyperthyroidism, diabetes or cancer. This handy guide looks at possible causes of overeating, symptoms to look out for and what to do if you're concerned about your cat's feeding habits.
While kittens should be fed up to three times a day, once a cat becomes an adult (at about one year of age) feeding once or twice a day is just fine, says the Cornell Feline Health Center. In fact, feeding just once a day should be acceptable for the majority of cats.
How often should cats eat wet food? What do vets recommend? Wet food is not a special meal or an occasional treat. Cats can and should eat wet food every day because it agrees with the feline digestive system better than dry or semi-moist food.
Some cats will meow for food or eat simply because they are bored. To help relieve boredom, you can make their environment more enriching. Adding some interactive toys, including toys that allow your cat to hunt or search for their food, can help break the begging habit.
Unfortunately, while some cats will automatically self-regulate their food intake, there are others who lack the capacity to register that they aren't actually hungry, as well as get so much enjoyment out of eating that they persistently overeat anyway. Some even whine and beg for food between their regular mealtimes.
They have a good appetite
If your cat shows excitement at mealtime and consistently finishes the food that they're served, this is a sure sign that they're happy. When your cat eats fresh, whole food that makes them feel good, they'll start to see mealtime as a highlight of their day.
PetMD also points out that cats are territorial creatures. They claim their turf by marking it with their scent. So when they sleep on top of you, they're actually marking you—and your bed—as theirs. We should be flattered by this behavior, apparently.
Sleeping near you
If your kitty likes to sleep near you - or even on you - this is an indication that they have total trust in you.
While some cats enjoy being kissed, others will not. Some will feel love, while others will not see kissing as a sign of affection. There are better ways than kissing to show a cat affection that they will understand. Cats are mysterious pets with distinct personalities.
Signs of a Depressed Cat
Changes in body language, including ears held back, tucked tail, and hairs standing on end. Meowing more or less than usual or making low-pitched, mournful meows. Lack of energy or a decrease in activity level. Retreating from humans or other family pets.
Cats pick their favorite people for pretty easy-to-empathize-with reasons—they prefer to be around those who understand what they're communicating and make an effort to meet their feline needs.
– Adding extra water to wet food can also help increase water intake. Some cats will happily eat a food that resembles soup! – Start by adding a small quantity of water (e.g. 1 dessert spoonful) and gradually increase this over a period of several days if your cat is happy to eat their watered down food.
Feed your cat tuna like it's a treat, meaning only give your cat tuna occasionally and only up to 10% of their day's calories. As part of a balanced diet, you can safely offer one teaspoon of tuna a few times a week, or about one-half can per month.
In general, cats should be given a bath once every 4-6 weeks, depending on how often they groom themselves, and the environment they're usually in. If your cat is more outdoorsy and soils itself while playing, it's a good idea to help with the grooming process as they alone won't be able to properly get cleaned.