Is My Cat Really Hungry? A meowing cat in the kitchen is not necessary an automatic sign of a hungry pet. A cat that is truly hungry may have a certain type of insistent meow, or may hang around pawing at its food bowl or where its food may be stored. When food is offered, a hungry cat will eat quickly.
Signs that your cat is obsessed with food
Every cat is different, but some of the typical signs that your furbaby may be a little too obsessed with eating include: Aggressiveness around the food bowl (if you have other pets) Rubbing up against your legs while you are in the kitchen. Seeming impatient at mealtimes.
Cats are typically grazers that eat small amounts throughout their waking hours during the day. Some cats never seem to be satisfied, no matter how much food you give them or how often they are fed. This can happen for many reasons, from simple boredom to concerning medical conditions.
Many cats will not eat if their food is placed too close to their toilet site or something which frightens them. You can assess your cat's weight by gently checking if you can feel its ribs if they are hard to find it may be overweight. If the ribs and backbone are prominent, then your cat may be underweight and ill.
Most hungry cats are greedy, but there are some common medical conditions that cause extreme hunger, too. If in doubt, your local veterinary clinic should be able to help you find out why your cat is always hungry, as well as advise you on a healthy weight for your cat.
Don't leave out a bowl of food 24/7 because some cats will binge eat every time you refill their dish. Instead, schedule multiple mealtimes. Consider purchasing a timed cat feeder. Or try a “food puzzle” to satisfy your cat's natural predatory instincts.
Why are my cats always hungry? A recent article in Catster lists five likely reasons your cat begs for food - worms, disease, boredom, depression, and nutritionally deficient food. A cat with worms eats ravenously since the roundworms suck all the nutrition right out of your pet's body.
Some dogs and cats only eat when they are hungry. Others will eat whenever there is food. But just as I can be full and still find room for ice cream, a pet always has room for table scraps.
"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.
As a general average, if you are feeding a commercially produced high-quality dry food with a good quality protein source, then an indoor cat would be fed about 1/3 to 1/2 cup of food per day. This amount of quality food is approximately between 167–250 calories.
Boredom. Always-hungry cats might actually not be all that hungry. Their constant interest for 'what's for dinner' could mean 'I've got nothing else to do, but eat'. Keeping your cat physically and mentally active is incredibly important, particularly if they spend most of the time indoors.
There are a few medical reasons that can underlie food obsession, or abnormal feeding behaviour. It's likely that your vet will look at causes like parasites, hyperthyroidism, blood sugar issues/diabetes etc. All of these things can create a furry monster when it comes to food!
It's pretty common for hungry cats to get pushy around the cat food bowl My year-old Karma-Kat is somewhat food-obsessed. He still tries to eat the other cat's old-lady food, routinely opens the pantry door to forage, gnaws holes in the dog food bag, and even has stolen food off our plates!
Vocalizing. You'll learn a lot when you can interpret your cat's wide vocabulary of chirps and meows. They'll tell you when they're hungry, when they're feeling affectionate and if they're feeling threatened or in pain. While some cats rarely make a peep, others won't let you get a word in edgewise.
Regular, routine feeding times allow your cat's body to be prepared for the food it will receive. It is not recommended to keep the bowl filled and allow grazing. A break in eating habits can be a warning sign of illness.
If your cat's getting on in years then its increased appetite may simply be age-related; it's quite normal for cats to want more food as they get older. However there are also more serious health-related reasons why your cat may be demanding food all the time, including hyperthyroidism and diabetes.
Even if your cat prefers to eat their food in a few sittings, don't be tempted to leave wet food out all day, as this increases the risk of disease-causing bacteria developing. After a maximum of four hours, throw out the old food and wash the bowl properly with soap and water before refilling with fresh food.
Cats can and should eat wet food every day because it agrees with the feline digestive system better than dry or semi-moist food. Wild cats hunt and eat bugs, rodents, and small birds.
Does wet cat food go bad if left out? The answer is that when left out, cat food can quickly grow bacteria. This bacteria can be harmful and can lead to digestive issues for your cat. Not only that, but when you leave wet cat food out, it will congeal into an unappealing texture, and your cat may not eat it anyway.
Your cat will display habitual behavior around mealtime when it is hungry, and many cats can be quite demanding that they are served. But cats aren't as motivated by food as dogs, so acting hungry all the time, begging, or whining for food between feedings may point to a medical issue.
In general, you can feed an average-sized adult cat one 3-ounce can per 3 to 3½ pounds of body weight daily.
A cat may overeat due to boredom, stress, a dry cat food diet, medications, and/or a medical issue. It's important to note that no matter how cute your cat is when they beg, or how annoying they can be when they want food, overfeeding is not going to benefit you or them in any way.
Stand firm and ignore the begging
If your cat is crying or begging, try not to indulge them - simply ignore them or walk away.
Cats are natural born hunters so if your cat grabs and bites your hand, it is replicating hunting behaviour and pretending your hand is the prey. Often, they wrap their front paws around your hand, scratch with their back feet and then bite – this is how they would kill their prey in the wild.
If your cat shows signs of an increased appetite, begs, whines or gets aggressive around its food bowl, it could be a sign of an underlying medical condition. It could also be that your cat is bored, craving your attention or even experiencing a psychological issue.