Cats eating more before winter ?

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Mathieu Paquette - 27 Sep 2006 19:16 GMT

Hello,

I've got 2 cats. I live in Quebec, so we do get cold winters.

Both cat are indoor cats: they used to go outdoors, but some of our
neighbor complained (and to an extent I think one of them poisoned one
of our cat a few years ago, he got REALLY sick). Anyway, bottom line,
for the past 2 years, they haven't really got outside (except when they
escape, which happens once every few months, sneaky guys :-))

But for the past 2-3 weeks, they started eating much more than usual. I
mean, before, we gave them a reasonable amount of food, they'd leave a
bit in the bowl, come back later for a snack, etc. Now, for the past 2-3
weeks, they empty the bowl one-shot and they ask for more. We don't
really give them more, they're already a lil overweight. But it's
getting annoying at night, my brother is the one feeding them and they
come to bother him at night; we tried feeding them just before he goes
to bed, but they still do it.

Are they putting on their "winter weight" so to speak ? Is this normal ?

Mathieu

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Rene S. - 27 Sep 2006 21:17 GMT

> Hello,
>
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>
> Mathieu

Every fall, I notice the same thing with my cats (I'm in Wisconsin, so
we get winters too.) They gobble up the food faster than usual. They
also play a lot more (understandable, with the cooler weather). I weigh
them every week and they aren't losing weight, so I don't give them
more food.

If this is bothering your brother, could he shut the bedroom door so
they can't bother him?

Rene

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vividkid - 29 Sep 2006 21:32 GMT

> > Hello,
> >
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
>
> Rene

I noticed this very same thing with both of my cats. I recently took
them to the vet for their annual check-up, and the vet (the first in 5
years of having the cats), said they were overweight. I recently
moved, so it was the first time with this vet. All of their previous
vets said they were fine and not overweight at all. But I've also only
taken them late spring/early summer, whereas this time, I took them in
about a week ago (in the Fall season). I asked if maybe they were just
doing what might be instinct - putting on extra weight for the winter.
She said it was not winter inside my house, so no, it wasn't an excuse.
By the way, they are only over their ideal weight by a pound or two.
So yeah, I honestly believe that since it is getting colder, they eat
more. I also noticed they eat more on cloudy days. Boredom, perhaps?
Now I'm stuck having to feed them measured amounts while they cry
bloody murder because their 1/4 cup of food (1/2 cup total) is gone by
the time I go to bed. I guess it's an adjustment the 3 of us will have
to make since I take their health seriously...

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