A pet's diet consists of dry and wet food. The portion size depends on the age of the cat and its activity.
- The cat eats a lot.
- The jealousy of loved ones.
- Food Quantities
- Types of hunger
- Possible diseases
- Dental and oral problems
- Digestive Disorders
- What the owner should do
- Unobvious reasons why a cat asks for food
- When to call your vet
- Situation 4: The cat started eating too much after being neutered
- Situation 5: A pregnant cat is constantly asking for food
- Psychological reasons
- Conclusions
- Why a cat is constantly eating, but is not full and even loses weight: physiological reasons
- Worm infestation
- Problems with nutrient absorption
- Hormonal abnormalities
- Why does the cat keep asking for food when it is not hungry?
- Competition for food with other pets
- Stress Eating
- Lack of attention
- Fear of hunger in street animals
- When a "healthy appetite" ceases to be "healthy
- The Ever Hungry Cat: What to Do If She Eats Out of Boredom
- Kitten keeps asking for food and eating a lot: reasons and what to do?
- READER'S QUESTION
The cat eats a lot.
What can I do? cat constantly hungry.constantly asks to eat, I already do not have any money for it.and always eats with such appetite, as if a week was hungry.Is it a cat bulimia? I feed her kittyketom in bags.mozhet such food something breaches, so the cat such a glutton?
Porridge with stuffing, soup. Add butter to the porridge a little, vegetable, 1/2 tsp, for wool and digestion good. A kitet g. Our cat can gobble up 3 bags at a time, and all food is not a horse. but porridge or soup with chicken, and sleeps contented:))
Stop feeding your cat with these packets. Buy small, cheap raw fish at your local market, boil it in an unnecessary pan and give it to her. The first time she may refuse to eat, and this will be another confirmation that the manufacturers of this crap add some psychotropic, flavor enhancers, etc. which, by the way, are good carcinogens.
3. Yes, you can't give cats fish…you can't. And if you do, then seldom and on holidays.
Might she (the cat) have worms? You should buy pills at the drugstore and disinfect them, you have to do it regularly.
Maybe there are some additives in it like in human fast food)) that's why cats want to eat more and more of such food…
Author, your theory about feline bulimia deserves a lot of attention. I should develop that thought, too bad my eyes are slipping.
You should have started with the weight of the cat, how active it is, whether its flanks are sagging, etc.
Usually it doesn't end up being a big size, but a "squash" cat, like a rugby ball, with not as big a head and limbs, but with a bulging belly and sides.
The jealousy of loved ones.
Bummer, the author! With all the information on the Internet. The author, in no case do not feed your cat either Whiskas or Kitiket. This is very harmful if you do not want the cat to have problems with the kidneys, stomach, pancreas and other organs. Also, these foods are oncogenic. You can feed your cat with pouches no more than once or twice a week, or even less often (that's the vet's recommendation). On a side note, why is your cat eating so much? Because food is not particularly calorie-dense, its energy and nutritional value leaves a lot to be desired. Buy 1 pack of premium type (Heels, First Choise,Royal Canin (made in France)). They are more expensive, but you will see at once that the cat will be less demanding to eat, because the energy and nutritional value is much higher. The money will be much better! And the cat will be healthy, and it will save your finances in the future. You won't have to go to the vet and treat possible side effects of cheap food.
The first time she may refuse to eat it, and this will confirm that producers of this crap add some psychotropics, flavor enhancers, etc. which are good carcinogens, by the way.
Comrades, cats can not eat fish, this is what any veterinarian will tell you. Besides in the raw fish worms. You'll have a hard time taking them out.
how can't we let cats eat fish? it's like saying: children can't eat milk! if you can't let cats eat fish, then why in the soviet union all cats ate fish and were healthy? they have it in their genetics to catch fish! striped cats came from wild cats that ate exclusively fish! that's why cats from nature love fish so much and we know it from our childhood. Of course, raw is not allowed to modern cats, and I did not offer, I said cooked.
"Kiteket" – the cheapest and worst food, keep feeding and "soon your suffering will be over" (I do not wish your cat any harm), but it will be, if you do not move to another food.
Food Quantities
Pet food manufacturers indicate on packages approximate daily and daily amounts, depending on the breed, weight, age and lifestyle of the cat, taking into account its composition and calories.
With table foods, the situation is much more complicated. The owner needs to correctly calculate the amount of protein, fat and carbohydrates in the type of food he or she gives the cat on his or her own. It is also important not to forget minerals and vitamins.
This is why we recommend the use of ready-made pet foods, so that you can be sure that your pet is getting all the nutrients that are important for life. If natural diets are preferred, a nutritionist should be consulted to prepare a proper, balanced and complete diet.
Even with ready-made commercial diets, it is important to remember that the amount of food recommended by the manufacturer is only a starting point, a reference point that may not take into account all the special characteristics of your cat's body.
Passive, sluggish animals expend less energy and are more prone to obesity compared to active, playful cats. If you see that the recommended amount is too much or not enough, you need to change the amount of food. In difficult situations, again a veterinary nutritionist will come to the rescue.
Kittens whose bodies are just forming and growing need more caloric and mineral- and vitamin-rich foods.
Types of hunger
There are several kinds of hunger. Each one has its own cause and is "treated" in its own way.
- Natural. It is a normal lack of satiety after a long break between meals.
- Pathological. The feeling of hunger is caused by changes in the body as a result of a disease. We will talk about it in more detail below.
- Acquired .. Hunger, which appears due to a violation of the usual eating schedule. That is, the cat gets used to eating according to a certain schedule, and after surgery, for example, it has changed. But the animal still asks to eat at the time at which it is accustomed.
- Cognitive. A cat may not physically feel hungry, but when it smells delicious food, it will want to eat and act as if it has been hungry for a long time.
The last two points are not real hunger, which leads to overeating and overweight in the pet.
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Possible diseases
In addition to the reasons that are not at all dangerous, there are some that are worth worrying about. We are talking about possible diseases of the pet. There are several options for what ailments may plague your furry friend:
Any healthy pet is easy to distinguish from one that is sick. As a rule, cats suffering from an ailment have a decreased appetite, increased drowsiness and body temperature. There are other symptoms for which it is very important to see a veterinarian.
Dental and oral problems
Cats of any age are susceptible to this type of disease. Sometimes it's not easy to determine what's plaguing your pet in the early stages of the disease. At first, the animal may simply refuse to eat, which the owner will explain a slight change in mood, but if the appetite is absent for a long time, it is worth paying attention to other symptoms.
A pet with an oral disease loses interest in food, because chewing food becomes painful or unpleasant. Usually such ailments are associated with plaque on the teeth. The cat's gums become inflamed, which brings him discomfort. Also one of the symptoms is bad breath and increased salivation.
Not only may the cat lose a lot of weight from starvation, but he may also lose his teeth if he does not see the veterinarian in time. So the owner had better monitor the behavior of your favorite fluffy pet more closely, if he does not want to eat for a long time.
Digestive Disorders
Cats will often pick up litter from the floor, find food lying around in the nooks and crannies and swallow piles of their own fur while licking themselves. Not surprisingly, after such tastings, the animals experience discomfort, heaviness and possibly even stomach pains, making them unable to eat normally.
What the owner should do
Every owner begins to worry when his beloved pet refuses previously favorite treats. Bad thoughts begin to come to mind, and you want to somehow find out the reasons for this behavior of your furry friend.
In cases where there is no cause for concern, the owner just have to surround his pet with care. It is also important to be careful what to feed the cat. Poor quality food will discourage it, and the animal will starve.
If there was a sudden change of food and the cat stopped eating right away, it is advisable to try gradually introducing new food into its diet. It is possible that the problem lies in the utensils from which the pet eats. When the owner decides to please his moustached friend with a new bowl, he may not think how comfortable it will be to eat from it.
It is better not to traumatize the animal's psyche by frequent changes of environment, at least the one in which he spends the most time. It is best to arrange the feeding area as comfortably as possible so that nothing blocks access to food.
When it comes to diseases of the pet, it is advisable to immediately contact the veterinarian. You should not self-medicate. It seems harmless, but in reality can cause terrible consequences. Without the help of a veterinarian, it will not be possible to give the pet a correct diagnosis, because he himself is not able to specifically point to the sources of pain.
Often cats and kittens refuse food because they are stressed after being spayed or neutered. In this situation, the owner can do little to help his cat except to surround him with affection, warmth and care. This will help the pet to get well sooner, and then the appetite will come back to normal.
Cats are very unpredictable, one minute they can sit actively in front of the owner and beg for a piece of food from the table, and the next they turn away haughtily without even smelling it. You don't have to panic right away. Perhaps the cat has simply lost its appetite. But if this behavior continues for a long time, the cat owner should be wary. Animals can't talk, so they won't tell you what's bothering them.
Unobvious reasons why a cat asks for food
In addition to physiological reasons for overeating, there may also be psychological reasons:
- Attention-seeking. If a cat lacks attention and affection from a loved one, it may get their attention through constant meowing at the bowl. In addition, food may be the pet's only entertainment, so it is important to give it enough attention.
- Eating behavior disorders. Overeating can also be caused by severe stress, such as after moving or being alone for a long time.
- Competition for food. If there are several pets in the house, they may begin to compete for food. It is important that each pet has its own bowl and is only allowed to eat from it.
- Fear of starvation. If a cat has been forced to starve, for example by living outside, it may develop a fear of hunger. Your pet should gradually become accustomed to a feeding regimen.
When to call your vet
If a cat is constantly asking for food, you need to pay attention to its condition and behavior. Certain characteristics may signal that a doctor should be consulted:
Emaciation or obesity of the pet are also reasons to go to the doctor. If a cat has lost a lot of weight, its spine is clearly protruding through its skin, and its sides are sunken, these are clear signs of emaciation. And a decrease in activity and the formation of wrinkles characterize obesity. In both cases you need to start treatment as soon as possible.
A perfectly healthy cat won't ask for food around the clock and be on call all the time. Therefore, it is important to understand the cause of overeating, eliminate it and pick up a quality balanced food for your fluffy pet.
Read also:
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 fullness, 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 3 meals without increasing its volume.
Situation 5: A pregnant cat is constantly asking for food
"Ever since my cat became pregnant, she has been eating a lot. I understand that pregnant cats eat more. But how much more? How do I calculate the ration?"
A situation where a lactating cat is constantly asking to eat or a pregnant cat is perpetually hungry is quite normal. During this period, she has all her juices sucked by her kittens (either in utero or when they drink their mother's milk). Therefore, pregnant and lactating cats are not restricted in food – they themselves regulate the amount eaten.
Psychological reasons
Some cases of increased appetite remain undiagnosed, that is, the true cause is not identified. Then it is worth saying that the cause may be psychological. For example, if the owner does not pay much attention to his cat and does it mostly at feeding time, the cat or cat, begging for food, is probably just trying to get an extra portion of affection from the owner. Test this theory by starting to distract the cat's attention with petting and play. If that helps, it may be that this theory is correct in your case.
And in general veterinary nutritionists say that the constant search for food is normal for cats, because they are carnivores and for them it is a kind of entertainment and sporting interest. And only when a cat significantly overeats, it usually stops asking for extra food. Therefore the lack of interest in food outside the main feeding times should be alarming even more than the constant begging.
Conclusions
- Many pathologies are accompanied by an increase in appetite. Only a veterinarian can make a definitive diagnosis.
- The first step in increased appetite, if deworming has not been carried out for more than 3 months, is the prevention of helminths with a broad-spectrum drug. Perhaps after that the appetite will decrease.
- If after deworming appetite has not decreased, look for the cause in the wrong diet.
- If the cat's diet is reconsidered, but this does not help, you should bring the cat to the veterinary clinic for examination. The earlier the pathology is identified and the earlier treatment is started, the better the chances of a successful outcome.
- Only after an examination that reveals nothing can one speak of a psychological cause for the increased appetite. In this case it is recommended to consult a zoopsychologist.
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Why a cat is constantly eating, but is not full and even loses weight: physiological reasons
There are times when a cat asks for food even after it has had its fill. Increased appetite is a signal to the owner – it is worth paying attention to the health of the pet and finding 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 the suffering cat or cat that is constantly hungry, antiparasitic drugs prescribed by a veterinarian after a confirmed diagnosis can help.
Problems with nutrient absorption
It is quite common for pets with chronic overeating to have digestive problems with vomiting, diarrhea and inadequate digestion of food. With such a problem, a veterinarian should be consulted for the necessary examination 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 begging 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 disorders. He also prescribes the appropriate treatment to maintain a normal condition.
Why does the cat keep asking for food when it is not hungry?
The feeling of hunger in individuals of any age is caused by both physiological and psychological reasons. They should not be left unattended, because in neglected cases they lead to the development of diseases.
Competition for food with other pets
Living in the same house with other pets causes the desire to be first at the food bowl. Even a well-fed cat won't want to give the rest of the food on his plate to a fellow cat. He will try to be the first to the trough and quickly eat not only his but also other people's portions.
Stress Eating
False hunger is a sign of psychogenic polyphagia, which occurs on the background of eating disorders. An excessive increase in appetite develops in connection with a strong emotional shock. Stress provokes various reasons: a long separation from the owner, a trip to the vet, a change of residence and many other factors.
Lack of attention
Cats, even though they "walk by themselves", still very much need the care and affection of the owner. If the owner ignores the pet's desire to take him on his lap and caress him, the pet will sooner or later begin to suffer from lack of attention.
In order to get the attention of the person, the cat or cat will start constantly asking for food. This is not only an opportunity to attract the owner, but also a way to cope with stress.
Fear of hunger in street animals
Stray animals survive in very difficult conditions, so they are always in search of food. Even when they are with loving owners, strays don't kick their old habits right away.
When a "healthy appetite" ceases to be "healthy
If a cat's ribs are not palpable and her waist is not visible when viewed from above, she probably has overweight.. Perhaps setting a feeding schedule will be enough to get rid of it.
Many owners prefer to Feeding cats freely, but if left unchecked, it can lead to extra pounds and undesirable health effects, including joint disorders и diabetes..
A pet's needs will vary depending on her size, energy level and health status. A cat's age also plays a role, as their metabolism slows as they age. A veterinarian can help determine the cat's healthy weight and the required daily caloric intake.
If the cat is constantly hungry, it's best to consult your vet. He will be able to find out if it is due to a health problem or if she is just eating out of boredom.
The Ever Hungry Cat: What to Do If She Eats Out of Boredom
There are some cats that only eat when they're hungry. But sometimes, house cats just get bored, and they, like some people, snack just out of nothing to do. Unfortunately, this can lead to a host of health problems, including obesity, osteoarthritis, urinary system diseases and diabetes.
According to the Cornell Feline Health Center., obese pets have twice the risk of death at the average age of 6-12 years compared to their healthy-weight counterparts. With that in mind, you should offer your cat fun activities to take his mind off of going to the food bowl.
Puzzle food bowls are a great way to stimulate the cat and imitate the environment that nature intended for them. Efforts to get food can not only improve your pet's health, but also reduce unwanted behavioral problems, including restlessness and disruptive behavior, which often arise from boredom.
According to the Journal of Feline Medicine and SurgeryThe most suitable are puzzle feeders with rounded surfaces that the furry pet can easily roll around on the floor. Pet stores offer many choices of puzzle feeders that will stimulate the cat's activity, providing it with mental and even physical exercise.
Kitten keeps asking for food and eating a lot: reasons and what to do?
Situations when a kitten asks for food 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 keeps yelling that he wants to eat. So you could say that my kitten is constantly hungry. Eats everything in his bowl. While they are preparing food for him, he yells in a voice not his own. Takes food away from an adult cat. If we go to the kitchen during the day, he runs after us and asks for it. 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 see to it that the cat does not overeat at one time, because you can quickly damage the pancreas, stretch the stomach and accustomed to eat 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 constantly overeats can have a bloated belly. This condition is not only ugly, but sometimes dangerous. First, the abdomen interferes with movement, and as a result the animal will be lethargic and sedentary, sleeping 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 and is fed a lot, but is still underweight. If your kitten eats and does not get better, if you see obvious thinness (ribs and spine stick out, the 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.