Why does a cat eat a lot?
A cat can behave normally when it is hungry and many pets can be very demanding to be fed as soon as possible. But these pets are not as motivated by food as dogs, so constant starvation, begging, or nagging about food between feeds can indicate a health problem.
- one Crying for food at a certain time of eating
- 2 Request for treats
- 3 Stealing food from the table
- four “Fast food”
- five Food and vomiting
- 6 Nutrition and weight gain
- 7 Nutrition and weight loss
Crying for food at a certain time of eating
Cats are smarter than you think, and if you feed them at the same time every day, they will know when it s time to eat. Meowing, crying and looking at you until you put food in her bowl is what makes a hungry cat and she usually does great! Like humans, an empty stomach of a pet sends signals to the brain to eat. Therefore, your cat will make sure you do not forget about his food.
Request for treats
If you keep your cat s treat in a certain place and she sees you standing next to him, she may start asking for treats. It is even more likely to do so if you shake the container or bag in which they are contained. Cats have excellent hearing and will rush to run if they hear a sound that is familiar and pleasant to them.
Stealing food from the table
Cats can easily jump on the table and grab a piece of chicken, lick a forgotten piece of butter. This can become a bad habit that is hard to get rid of. Cats, like all other pets, cannot resist tempting treats, so be sure to clean or cover the food if you plan to leave it unattended.
Particularly active cats, who do not get enough food, are more likely to steal food from the table. Increasing portions or eating more nutritious foods can help your pet give up the habit of climbing tables.
Cats that had to compete or fight for food are more likely to eat quickly and greedily. Some animals even grumble or growl when they eat and seem to swallow their food without chewing. This is common in pets that have been homeless, wild or descended from a large litter of kittens in the past, when feeding time has led to competition if food has been scarce.
Food and vomiting
Domestic cats often vomit. They take good care of themselves, so many hairs often accumulate in their digestive tract, which can form lumps. If not excreted in the stool, the wool will either come out with vomiting or get stuck in the stomach or intestines. If your pet has stuck hair, he will often vomit. If you suspect such a problem, you should show your pet to a veterinarian. Removal of a foreign object can even be performed surgically, but sometimes endoscopy can help.
Some cats vomit regularly after eating, leaving food undigested. This is usually due to the cat eating too fast. Fortunately, regurgitation can be easily stopped by calming the animal while it is feeding.
Nutrition and weight gain
If your cat craves food but is actively gaining weight, this should be a sign that the pet should eat less, despite his requests. Some cats, such as humans, simply love their food and the more you feed them, the faster they gain weight, which can lead to health problems. The consequences can be diabetes, joint problems, cancer and more.
Nutrition and weight loss
Pets that always look hungry and do not gain weight are often diagnosed with various pathologies. Can not be:
- Intestinal parasites, often called worms, feed on what the cat eats, “stealing” most of the food.
- Hyperthyroidism: Cats with an overactive thyroid gland usually experience hunger. It is important to diagnose the pathology and get a prescription from your doctor.
- Diabetes: In this condition, the pancreas does not produce insulin as it should. The cat will feel hungry because his body lacks energy, despite the fact that he eats a lot.
- Cancer: If other diseases are ruled out and the cat is still constantly hungry and not gaining weight, cancer may be suspected. Your veterinarian will recommend options for further testing.
Fortunately, most cats just love to eat and their day revolves around sleep and food. As long as the pet s weight is stable, he has no vomiting, diarrhea and his behavior is usually, most likely, he just likes to eat.
Adapted from: www.thesprucepets.com