How to wean a cat from eating too much

Kittens need more food in the first six months of life than adults, but they eat smaller portions several times a day.

How do you wean a cat from eating too much?

Just don't give him more than he needs, even if he asks for it. And you have obviously spoiled him, indulging all his requests.

You will have to be patient until his ardor subsides. Cats don't know when to eat, as long as there's food, he'll chew until he burps.

We have an old cat, sixteen years old. And we somehow got used to meeting his desires.

He only ate when he was young and then lay down to digest with his belly up. And with age, he seems to have restructured on an intuitive level. He eats a little, but often, every two hours or so.

Many people are advised by doctors for various reasons to eat a small meal, especially at an older age.

As for the night time, yes, if someone is awake in the house, then the cat will come and ask, because he too is awake and is a nocturnal animal in general. And if there is no one to ask, then he won't wake up and waits until morning.

I also give it at night, because if I stay up late, I feel hungry, too.

Cats In the wild it is understandable, because luck in the hunt does not happen every time.

The instinct of domestic cats is preserved, but still there must be a limit.

A common reason that cats / cats have excessive cravings for food, is of course castration / sterilization, when the animals have a hormonal failure, given the lack of mobility, these babies are beginning to get fat, or rather just get fat.

If a cat is not neutered, its appetite is always better when it is pregnant and feeding kittens, when it is cold, and when it is very physically demanding.

If a cat eats a lot for no reason, there are certain diseases that contribute to overeating and in that case you need to see a veterinarian.

But… it is always up to the cat's cat owner, you need to control your cat's diet. It is not necessary to pour more food than is prescribed on the package of food. Then you can be sure that the cat will not eat more than he should.

The norm in feeding frequency and portion size

A pet's ration consists of dry and wet food. The portion size depends on the age of the pet and its activity.

For kittens

Kittens need to eat frequently for normal growth and development. However, the portion size received should be small so that the baby has time to digest the food received.

An oversupply of food or, conversely, a lack of it leads to disorders in the formation of the body. Digestive disorders, obesity or lack of nutrients can occur. The frequency of feeding depends on the age of the kitten. At the beginning of complementary feeding – from 5-7 times, gradually the owner should reduce the frequency of feeding to 2-3 times by 6 months.

The volume of daily portions of dry food depends on the age of the kitten, and from the producer, each of them – its energy density (number of calories per gram of product), so the feeding rate can vary significantly.

With wet food is also introduced gradually, small portions, followed by an increase – and then bring it to the daily rate.

For adults and active animals

Food helps adults stay healthy, active and energetic. A proper diet should contain the right amount of animal protein, vitamins and trace elements.

Adult pets are fed twice a day, but cats also have the "buffet type" of feeding – when an animal goes to the bowl up to 20 times a day, eats in small portions and eats the daily norm of food for the day. This format of eating is absolutely normal for cats, which regulate their own portion size.

Why a cat always eats but doesn't get full and even loses weight: physiological reasons

There are cases when a cat asks to eat even after it has received the necessary portion. Increased appetite becomes a signal to the owner – it is worth paying attention to the health of the pet and find out the possible causes. Sometimes this will require a visit to the veterinarian.

Worm infestation

Worms have an extremely negative impact on the pet's body. The cat begins to lose weight, although its food intake increases. Weight loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation are the main symptoms of worm infestation.

In addition, the infected individual may have unusual food preferences. Gradually, the condition of the animal becomes depressed and lethargic. In the neglected form, helminths are visible in the vomit and feces. To help a suffering cat or cat that is constantly hungry, antiparasitic medication prescribed by a veterinarian after a confirmed diagnosis can help.

Problems with nutrient absorption

It is quite common for chronically overeating pets to have digestive problems with vomiting, diarrhea and inadequate digestion of food. With such a problem, a veterinarian should be consulted for the necessary investigation and prescription of medication and therapy along with diet.

Hormonal abnormalities

Disorders in the production of hormones lead to the fact that the cat is constantly asking to eat. Problems in the functioning of the endocrine system cause the development of diabetes, kidney failure, hypothyroidism and other ailments. In addition to a strong desire to often go to bowls for food, sick individuals notice a strong thirst.

Only a veterinarian can diagnose the disorder. He also prescribes the appropriate treatment to keep the condition normal.

A look at the psychological reasons why some cats eat too fast

Eating too fast is unnatural for cats. If the habit is not related to a physical condition, it is often a manifestation of a psychological or emotional problem. Veterinarians call it "psychogenic abnormal eating behavior," rooted in one or more of the following stressors:

• Lack of mental stimulation. Bored cats, especially active breeds such as Bengals, Siamese and Maine Coons, can become obsessed with food if they don't get enough mental and physical stimulation. If your cat needs more entertainment, introduce him to interactive toys such as catnip-scented balls, wind-up mice, cat poles, etc. By playing for 15-20 minutes each day with his owner, the cat will gradually begin to eat at a regular pace.
• A competitive environment Or in a large family, fangs don't click. Cats can become possessive about food when they live with other pets. Feelings of insecurity can encourage them to eat faster. This behavior is common for cats who share a bowl with their littermates during the weaning period. Here's what can help in these cases:

1. Get a separate bowl for each cat in the house.
2. Let your cat eat alone (for example, behind a closed door).

• Past deprivations. Cats that have been rescued from dysfunctional families ( abuse, etc.) are usually nervous about food and tend to eat like they're starving. This behavior will disappear once your kitten begins to feel safe in her new environment.
• Frustration caused by poor eating habits . Cats need adequate portions of proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals, ideally derived from cooked or raw meat . An inappropriate diet can provoke a deficiency of a micronutrient and make kittens unsatisfied with the food. They psychologically compensate for the deficiency by eating too much and too fast.

What diets can make your cat eat too fast?

Poor nutrition is one of the main reasons why cats eat food too fast. But the problem often goes unnoticed because the problems arising from a poor diet are not immediately obvious. Before buying any cat food it is necessary to assess whether it contains the right amount of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. The table below shows the recommended proportions:

If you're wondering why a cat's diet should have so few carbs, it's because it doesn't need them. Cats are obligate carnivores that get their daily calories from proteins and fats.

An overabundance of carbohydrates can cause obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Some common diets that interfere with normal eating behavior in cats:

Situation 3: Cat not getting full after a food change

"After a testicle removal surgery, we switched our cat to castrate food, because it is considered the right thing to do. However, now he keeps asking for food. As we return the old food, everything is normal, but we understood that it should not be fed as castrates are prone to obesity. Why does the cat keep asking for food? What to do?"

Actually, not all castrates get fat after having their testicles removed. Many don't even experience an increased appetite, though this is rare. Feeding them regular food, not for castrates, is quite possible and, rather, even necessary. We have dealt with this situation in detail in another publication.

Situation 4: The cat started eating too much after being neutered

"After we neutered our Markiez, he started having a crazy appetite. All he thinks about is food. All the time he is begging. He has gained a lot of weight already. We are afraid of obesity. Why does the cat always want to eat? Can I feed him more or not? The cat is on a natural diet.

You are right to be afraid of obesity, because if the cat is passed on, this fate is inevitable. A neutered cat or cat, on the contrary, has a lower caloric requirement than a non-neutered cat. Accordingly, there is no objective reason to increase the amount of food. Moreover, castrates, even without taking into account the factor of overeating, are more prone to a loose body due to hormonal changes.

Nevertheless, the problem must be addressed. The increased appetite of castrates is dictated by hormonal restructuring: now the cat's body is guided in the feeling of satiation by whether the stomach is full or not. Therefore, the first solution that can be found is to add more vegetables to the meat than before, but still within the allowable range of 10-15% of the diet.

Vegetables are hardly digested by the cat's body, passing through the gastrointestinal tract in transit. However, immediately after a meal, vegetables give a feeling of satiety, being a kind of ballast and taking up a lot of space. That is, at one meal, the cat consumes more food, but the food does not become more caloric. On this, by the way, the principle of many foods for castrates, but they usually add not vegetables, and a lot of cereals, which is cheaper, but harmful. Therefore, it is better to prepare a natural menu.

In addition, you can use the trick described above, where pieces of meat are served in large pieces so that they have to be chewed off longer and take longer to digest. See example.

Finally, you can divide the daily portion of food into three meals without increasing its volume.

How much should a kitten, an adult and an older animal eat?

Kittens need food for growth and normal development, mature animals need food to maintain a normal weight. With the onset of old age, cats begin to lose weight, because they can no longer eat in the same amount, and do not need large portions. Feeding rates of the feline family depend on the type of food. Information about the approximate daily amount of dry and wet food a kitten needs:

Information on an adult cat's daily requirement for natural food, dry food, and wet food:

Read also: What to do if a cat has a broken tip, middle or base of its tail: symptoms and treatment of fracture in a cat

Why has the cat suddenly started eating a lot and keeps asking for more?

Why does a kitten, adult cat or cat eat a lot, but do not get full? The excessive appetite of the pet can have physiological and pathological reasons. Unlike the latter, the former do not require special measures. In any case, you should not leave unattended the situation when the animal constantly asks to eat and does not reach a sense of satiety.

Psychogenic polyphagia – the cat eats stress

Polyphagia refers to an eating disorder that manifests itself in an excessive increase in appetite. Often, this phenomenon develops due to severe emotional distress, which can cause anything from a long separation from the owner to a visit to the veterinarian. Some cats lose interest in food when they are stressed, others, on the contrary, constantly ask for food.

You should not try to wean your pet from eating too much on your own. It is recommended to entrust this problem to the veterinarian. Ignoring it can lead to the development of obesity in the pet.

Lack of or impaired absorption of essential nutrients

The four-legged glutton may have an impaired absorption of nutrients, so he is constantly hungry. This problem may also be caused by insufficient nutrients in the cat's diet. In the first case, the animal, despite an increased appetite, has a dramatic loss of body weight.

In this situation, the cat needs an urgent consultation with a veterinarian. Nutrient malabsorption may not just be an innate feature of the body, but the result of serious pathologies: malignant neoplasms or inflammatory processes in the intestines, the inability of the pancreas to produce enough enzymes to digest food.

Common mistakes when changing the way you feed

Common mistakes made by cat owners when changing the way they feed:

• Abruptly switching from one food to another. In this situation, you should not rush. Avoid problems with the cat's digestion and stools by a smooth transition from the usual to the new type of food. Ideally this process should take about 1.5 weeks.
• Giving in to blackmail from a four-legged pet. Almost all animals protest the dietary change by refusing to eat and begging for their favorite food.
• Long ignoring the cat's hunger strike. It is important not to miss the moment when starvation will go to the detriment of the four-legged blackmailer.
• Use of physical methods. Forcing the pet to eat natural food, it is impossible to shout at it and beat the animal. This will cause him/her severe emotional distress.
• Leaving self-cooked food in the cat's bowl for a long time. If within half an hour the cat has not touched the contents of the bowl, it is advisable to throw it away, otherwise it will spoil and the cat will be poisoned.

Kitten always asks for food and eats a lot: causes and what to do?

Situations when a kitten asks to eat all the time are very common. Usually babies have a good appetite, which often scares the owners. In some situations, it is not worth worrying, in others an increased appetite is a reason to examine the animal. Let's figure out when to be alert and when you can relax.

READER'S QUESTION

I have a 4-month-old kitten, skinny, underweight, but all the time yells that he wants to eat. That is, you can say that my kitten is always hungry. Eats everything in his bowl. While they cook food for him, he yells in a voice not his own. Takes food away from the adult cat. If we go into the kitchen during the day, he runs after us and begs. I give him 10% of the body weight allowed for kittens, how much more? Is there something wrong with him? Is it possible to increase the portion? Is it normal that a kitten pounces on food like crazy?

If we are talking about a growing body, which is a kitten, it is quite difficult to determine whether he is really eating too much food, because there are no clear rules for feeding. Therefore, kittens up to six months in the food is not accepted to limit (within a set of permitted products, of course). Especially if the kitten is underweight, he needs more. But still make sure that the cat did not overeat at one time, because. This can quickly damage the pancreas, stretch the stomach and teach you to eat in huge portions. In this situation, it's better to give food in moderate portions, but not 2, but 4-5 times a day.

A kitten who is constantly overeating may have a bloated belly. This condition is not only ugly, but sometimes dangerous. First, the belly interferes with movement, as a result of which the animal will be lethargic and sedentary, and will sleep too much. Secondly, there can be stagnant feces, constipation and even intestinal obstruction. This is why it is so important not to buy into the pet's request for another bite of food, but to strictly control portions and not give too much at once.

However, a big question arises if the kitten has an increased appetite, he is fed a lot, but there is still underweight. If your kitten eats and does not get better, if you see obvious thinness (ribs and spine stick out, sides are hollow), if along with constant hunger the character or appearance deteriorates (for example, dull coat, bloated belly), then perhaps the condition is pathological in nature. The most common causes are as follows.

How to slow down a cat that devours food too quickly

This article is co-authored by Russell Hartstein, CDBC, CPDT, our regular contributor. Regular wikiHow contributors work closely with our editors to ensure that the articles are as accurate and complete as possible.

Often cats get very excited when feeding time approaches and start either eating too fast or too much. If a cat gulps down food too fast, it may vomit and cause digestive problems; it may also become overweight due to overeating or eating too fast. Cat owners can make sure their pet eats slowly and properly by using special feeding containers or other cat feeding techniques.

Special feeding containers

Distribute the cat's food evenly on a flat plate or tray. You can encourage the cat to eat slowly by spreading the dry food evenly over a flat surface, such as a flat plate or baking tray. This way the cat will only have to eat a few pellets of dry food or a smaller amount of wet food at a time.

• There are also feeders in the form of a plastic ball with holes. You pour the dry food inside the ball, and the cat will play with them and eat the pellets falling out of the holes. This way, the pet can't eat everything too fast, and it uses its hunting skills to get its food. [2] X Source of Information

Spread the wet food over the bottom of your cat's bowl. This way the cat will eat more slowly because it won't be able to gobble up all its food in one sitting. The cat will have to eat slowly, swallowing the food before moving on to the next bite. [3] X Source of information

CAT IN A HURRY TO EAT: WAYS TO SLOW DOWN HIS EATING SPEED

Do you have a super-hungry cat who eats really fast and always leaves his bowl empty? It's an indicator of health, you probably think, but that's not entirely true. If a cat doesn't leave itself a chance to even take a breath during a meal, it could be experiencing a variety of problems and disorders. We offer you a few tricks to help encourage your cat to eat more slowly!

Not all cats tend to devour food instantly, but when dealing with a cat that won't budge at the sight of a bowl, it is important to intervene immediately and correct the situation. Otherwise the cat's attitude towards food can lead to flatulence, vomiting, and digestive problems. So what can we do?

1. OFFER SMALL PORTIONS SEVERAL TIMES A DAY

The easiest and quickest solution to slow down the absorption of food by a ravenous animal is to offer him more small portions, spreading them out at different times throughout the day. A limited amount of food, but several times a day, is good for the digestive system (what is eaten will be digested better) and at the same time will not spoil the appetite for the next meal. If you are away from home during the day, timed bowls are a great helper for you and your pet, for example, Cometa from Ferplast. Simply set the desired time interval on the built-in timer, and the bowl magically opens at the appointed moment, allowing your cat to get exactly as much food as he needs for one meal.