My cat has a very specific super power. She seems to know the exact moment I open my eyelids first thing in the morning and will commence her ritualistic cry for food. It doesn’t stop until there’s food in her bowl.
I’ve grown concerned over my cat’s obsession with food. Anytime I’m in the kitchen, she cries and circles around my feet, begging for more.
I took her to the vet to make sure nothing was physically wrong with her. Turns out, she’s parasite and disease free, so I had to do some research to get to the bottom of this food obsession.
If you have a food-obsessed cat at home, maybe these tips will help you, too.
Rule Out Medical Reasons
If your cat acts like you’re feeding them for the first time in years every time you open a can of food, there could be a medical reason as to why they’re so hell-bent on eating.
Parasites, hyperthyroidism, and diabetes are just a few of the reasons your cat’s behaviors around food may have changed.
Before assuming a psychological reason, such as an eating disorder, run some tests with your vet to eliminate the possibility of a serious illness causing your cat to act so ravenous.
If your vet gives you a prescription for medication or a diet change, you should see if you can fill it at Chewy’s online pharmacy and have it delivered to your door.
Make Sure Your Cat Is Getting The Proper Nutrients
If your cat isn’t getting enough of the right nutrients, they may feel hungry even when they’ve eaten a ton of food.
When you are at your vet’s office, discuss what food you’re feeding your cat and confirm it’s the best for their dietary needs.
Be Sure Your Cat Is Getting Enough Attention
Cats may beg and cry for food because it’s one of the few moments you are truly dedicating to them.
High levels of stress can cause a cat to go cuckoo for food. In fact, vets have diagnosed some cats with “psychogenic abnormal feeding behavior,” which involves begging and food-related aggression.
To combat this condition, experts suggest structured play time and elimination of potential stressors in the cat’s home.
If you and your vet have ruled out physical illness as the reason for your cat’s larger-than-life appetite, start scheduling one-on-one playtime with your furry family member. Even 15 to 20 minutes a day can make a world of difference.
Do Not Leave Bowls Of Food Out
Some cats can have a bowl of food out all day and only eat when they’re truly hungry. For other cats, they will eat themselves sick.
If your cat is constantly hungry, you may absentmindedly refill their bowl any time they cry out during the day.
To keep your cat from becoming overweight and to help break the begging habit, only have food out at scheduled feeding times.
Break The Crying Habit
If your cat bolts into the kitchen every time you’re in there, gently grab your cat, bring them to another area of the house, and calm them down. Keep your cat in this room until the begging stops.
When it is feeding time, shower your cat with lots of positive reinforcement for eating when they’re supposed to eat.
These two techniques should help curb the begging habit of a constantly hungry kitty.
If your cat continues to beg and whine whenever you are near the food bowl, just ignore the behavior. Do not positively or negatively reward their crying. It may get worse before it gets better, so patience is a must.
Again, it must be stressed that you have to rule out any potential illnesses or physical conditions with your vet as the reason why your cat is so food obsessed.
If there are no physical reasons why your cat is begging for food and you’ve tried the aforementioned tips, it may be time to talk to a behaviorist for a plan of action to reduce unwanted begging and food aggression.
Do you have a cat whose stomach seems to be bottomless? What have you done to keep your cat from driving you bonkers while begging for food? Let us know in the comments below!
