Cat obsessed with food

Melaniep101

Hi all

Wondered if anyone else has a cat that is absolutely obsessed with eating? We have 2 cats, one is a 5 year old neutered male, and the other a 10 year old spayed female.

The boy cat is pretty big, but you can't move without him asking for food all the time! He's constantly following everyone in to the kitchen, meowing, trying to wind round people's legs and asking to be fed. There seems to be no limit to what he can put away, if I fed him a box on pouches a day, he'd still ask for more! He pushes the girl out of the way so that he can eat her dinner too. (I have to stand over them to make sure she gets her dinner).

He's wormed regularly, de flea'd, no apparent health problems and is an outdoor cat (more in the summer).

They have access all day to fresh water and dry biscuits, but hes constantly begging for pouches.

He's starting to become a bit of a pain now, he just doesnt get the hint that he is only allowed x amount of food a day.

Any ideas as to how we stop this behaviour?

Thanks

Mel

spinningsheep

Mine is the same. We have come to the conclusion he's just a gannet!
We have given up trying to modify his behaviour, usually a gentle nudge in the bum with my foot and a few "in!" and pointing towards the lounge is met with a protesting meow and a grumble and he retreats, then the cycle repeats each time we go to the kitchen.

Cats will do as they please

welshsue

yep my neutered male is the same. He would eat all day if you let him. Each time we walk in the kitchen he is there trying to get in the pantry where his food is kept and giving you the kitten look and rolling around on the floor looking cute. I have to restrict what he is fed as he is prone to putting on weight and it is really difficult. He even tries nibbling your leg or ankle if you ignore him.

GlynD

It's worth noting that cats are grazers and food should be left out for them all the time. We always leave a bowl of dry food and a saucer of cat milk available. It doesn't stop madam begging but it does mean she's never really hungry.

paddypaws101

GlynD wrote: »

It's worth noting that cats are grazers and food should be left out for them all the time. We always leave a bowl of dry food and a saucer of cat milk available. It doesn't stop madam begging but it does mean she's never really hungry.

Cats being grazers is debatable....and certainly in this case the boy cat would just graze/guzzle anything all in one go!
Personally....and having been in this situation....I would cut out the dry all together, then move onto either a premium high protein wet food like Bozita or (even better) a raw meat diet. Something like a raw chicken wing would take time to chomp through and the high protein keeps them full for longer.

GlynD

paddypaws101 wrote: »

Cats being grazers is debatable....and certainly in this case the boy cat would just graze/guzzle anything all in one go!
Personally....and having been in this situation....I would cut out the dry all together, then move onto either a premium high protein wet food like Bozita or (even better) a raw meat diet. Something like a raw chicken wing would take time to chomp through and the high protein keeps them full for longer.

Ok it's debatable, as are most feeding tips but working on that premise is what we've always done and it works for us. I'd advocate that it's worth trying for others. We can't get our cat to eat raw chicken but she'll eat it cooked. I guess there are no hard and fast rules and it boils down to trial and error. That being the case it's good to see more than one view.

ka7e

I have a neutered Maine Coon that has been described by my vet as having a "depraved" appetite! He not only eats as much food as you put down for him, he also hangs round the back door to steal food from my other 2 cats, that are fed in the utility. Dog food has to be stored in sealed containers or he'll fish it out using his paw. Bread, biscuits, cake, meringues have been stolen and devoured. He raids recycling bins. We have to shut him out when food is prepared or served as he'll swipe it off the plate or even from your hand.

A raw food diet might help, but is not very practical as it would lead to fisticuffs with the 2 dogs!

Piquant_2

GlynD wrote: »

It's worth noting that cats are grazers and food should be left out for them all the time. We always leave a bowl of dry food and a saucer of cat milk available. It doesn't stop madam begging but it does mean she's never really hungry.

Oh how I wish that would work for my lad. He will eat until the bowl is empty. He never leaves anything, the bowls are so licked clean they look like they've just come out the cupboard

He supplements his food by opening the fridge and raiding the neighbour's hedgehog food and that's only what I know about...

Miiri

We have this with one of our rescue cats - on anything with grain/maize in it - he seems to be constantly hungry and drives us to distraction (we can't leave too much out as his brother will binge and be sick)

We switched them to one of the high protein diets (Orijen at the mo) and the difference in him is amazing. He still asks for food but not nearly to the same extent and we get to sleep (mostly!) Orijen does have carbs obviously but its grain free which in Treacle's case, is what I think makes the difference.

Its worth considering if part of the issue is that he's genuinely feeling hungry and trying a swap in diets

Miiri