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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / March 2006Cats act like they are starving
I have 2 male cats...one is almost 3, the other is about 8 months old. They both act like I don't feed them enough. They are constantly begging for food. I currently am feeding them each about 1/2 can of food (5 1/2 oz. can) and about 1/2 - 2/3 cup of dry a day, usually given in 2 meals, morning and dinnertime. (I usually give them small amounts of the dry food several times during the day and evening). Both cats are normal weights. But both act like I am starving them. Every time I go into the kitchen, they both run in and start meowing and begging for food. Are they just playing me or am I really not feeding them enough? Also, should I be feeding the 8 month old kitten food? I just adopted him and the people at the shelter told me he didn't need kitten food anymore. He weighs just under 10 lbs. Thanks for any advice. Sue >I have 2 male cats...one is almost 3, the other is about 8 months old. >They both act like I don't feed them enough. They are constantly begging [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Sue First, I would suggest that you change to all canned food (premium) and dispense with the dry. If you do continue with dry food, you should still stick with two meals a day at approximately 12-hour intervals (either all canned at one meal and all dry at another or divide each in half for each meal). As it is, you are giving them small quantities throughout the day, so they probably associate the kitchen with multiple feedings and expect something each time. It will be much better for for cats' health, though, if you use only premium canned. Second, if your cats still seem hungry, you could mix a little water with their canned food. That will add volume but not calories. MaryL Perhaps they are looking for attention and not just food? Do you play with them daily? Groom them daily? I think maybe you are mistaking their actions for needing food when they need attention? These cats get tons of attention. I don't think that is the issue. > Perhaps they are looking for attention and not just food? Do you play > with them daily? Groom them daily? I think maybe you are mistaking > their actions for needing food when they need attention? >I have 2 male cats...one is almost 3, the other is about 8 months old. >They both act like I don't feed them enough. They are constantly begging [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > .... > Sue Maybe they don't need the calories, but they still don't FEEL full. IAMS, Hills, etc premium foods come in some high fiber varieties. These are very filling without adding weight to the cat. Or, you can buy diet cat food and just feed them more. But I think I'd try premium canned food first. More like their natural diet, and has lots of needed moisture. Many cats on dry food don't drink nearly enough water. -- maryjane The canned food they get is a premium food....Wellness, Petguard. And I have been feeding them premium dry food....Royal Canin, Science Diet...for indoor cats. I did try to feed them an all canned food diet, but the little one has a small problem with the canned food. It makes his breath really stinky. So I began feeding them 50/50 canned and dry. His breath has been much better. >>I have 2 male cats...one is almost 3, the other is about 8 months old. >>They both act like I don't feed them enough. They are constantly begging [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > -- maryjane > The canned food they get is a premium food....Wellness, Petguard. And I > have been feeding them premium dry food....Royal Canin, Science Diet...for > indoor cats. I did try to feed them an all canned food diet, but the little > one has a small problem with the canned food. It makes his breath really > stinky. So I began feeding them 50/50 canned and dry. His breath has been > much better. I've never met a cat would good breath... I'd still give them the wet food if that was the only problem. Rhonda <m_kelbell sbcglobal.net> wrote: > But I think I'd try premium canned food first. More like their natural > diet, and has lots of needed moisture. Many cats on dry food don't drink > nearly enough water. That's nonsense. > -- maryjane > [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > Date: Mon, 27 Mar 2006 02:06:50 GMT > Xref: prodigy.net rec.pets.cats.health+behav:428278 > But I think I'd try premium canned food first. More like their natural > diet, and has lots of needed moisture. Many cats on dry food don't drink > nearly enough water. Absotively. Cats fed canned food have a higher total water intake than cats fed dry food- about 150% to 200% higher. IOW, for any given dry matter intake cats have a higher water turnover on canned than on dry foods. For more detail about the cat's water requirements and intake, visit my site: http://maxshouse.com/feline_nutrition.htm Water Requirements Could be a behavior pattern type thing. While you are giving them plenty of attention they could also be bored. I think cats need much more interesting toys than the ones in the stores. Other than interactive toys my cats basically have abandoned their toys. I wish some creative person would invent some really different toys for cats. They do love a cat tree, especially parked near a wall unit or other high furniture. Any great inventors out there? Barb Of course I don't look busy, I did it right the first time. >I have 2 male cats...one is almost 3, the other is about 8 months old. >They both act like I don't feed them enough. They are constantly begging [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >they both run in and start meowing and begging for food. Are they just >playing me or am I really not feeding them enough? We have a female ADSH tortie who, at 10 lbs dripping wet, can polish off the entire tenderloin side of a 32-oz Porterhouse steak in one sitting. It's quite amazing, really. <starving cats> > Thanks for any advice. why not consider leaving food out all the time the food they like i mean pussywizard (i happen to respect his opinions) claims that animals and cats! are like their owners. if you are rotund, i bet your cats become rotund, given all the food they desire no worry about them barfing, they'll get the hang of it...they'll learn they won't have to scarf it down as it's not going anywhere. just try it, i've had excellent success and both my cats one is very young one is middle aged, have cute little figures...and they can eat all they want..anytime.. it's a phsycology, It's human..i mean Cat nature to want what you can't have. I don't want a glass of milk until I am out of milk. I mean I crave it worse THEN.. juss try it Sue Get the vets to check out your cats to make sure they dont have worms. In my experience, cats will stop eating when they are full, they dont normally pig out. > I have 2 male cats...one is almost 3, the other is about 8 months old. They > both act like I don't feed them enough. They are constantly begging for [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Sue They have been checked for worms and are fine. In fact, the little one was given worm medication before I adopted him (adopted him 2 1/2 weeks ago) as a preventative. Maybe I'm not feeding them enough....and they aren't full....that's why they are bugging me for more food???? > Sue > [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] >> >> Sue > I have 2 male cats...one is almost 3, the other is about 8 months old. They > both act like I don't feed them enough. They are constantly begging for [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > run in and start meowing and begging for food. Are they just playing me or > am I really not feeding them enough? Young cats may need more food as they're usually more active. I would go for a good canned food as the main part of their diet. It could be the food you're feeding is not satisfying them, possibly because it's high in grains, and they need more protein in their diet. My cats are fed twice a day and they never beg for food. They don't get any dry food. Dry food also has a lot of flavor enhancers that I think makes it like kitty crack and can lead to that begging behavior. > I have 2 male cats...one is almost 3, the other is about 8 months old. They > both act like I don't feed them enough. They are constantly begging for [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > run in and start meowing and begging for food. Are they just playing me or > am I really not feeding them enough? What is the matter with you....? You attempt to rationalize this like these animals can be reasoned with or something.... They're KATS. They're a walking stomach with a cute face. They are what you would be if God didn't create you above the animals. No off switch. They constantly appeal to their own base instincts. IOW: They're gluttons. They will eat themselves to death if you keep piling it on. They would eat YOU if you were small enough (after they play around with you for the better part of the day). I will commend you on one thing, though... You're doing the right thing by keeping a feeding count... Stick to it. No matter what. Otherwise, you'll have some of these nut-case women in here on your azz because you let them get too fat. Sheeesh...... Am I the only person around here that has a lick of common sense, or what...? > Also, should I be feeding the 8 month old kitten food? I just adopted him > and the people at the shelter told me he didn't need kitten food anymore. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Sue You're welcome... IBen getiner here.... There.... Making each day of the year........ > Also, should I be feeding the 8 month old kitten food? I just adopted him > and the people at the shelter told me he didn't need kitten food anymore. Accordingly to the instructions you should feed kitten food until the cat is 1 year old. I admit through that my two got occasional adult food from 10 months gradually changing over until their 1st birthday but that was mainly down to the local shop not having kitten food Lesley Slave of the Fabulous Furballs
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