For any pet parent, ensuring their cats are eating enough is a crucial aspect of caregiving. The advice on the diet and appropriate food quantity for your furry family member is vital. One of the biggest telltale signs that your feline might be feeling famished is increased meowing. While meowing is perfectly normal, a sudden increase, especially around feeding time, could be a cry signaling hunger. However, if you’re concerned, it’s essential to be sure that this hunger is the reason for their sudden vocalizations.
Is Your Cat Actually Hungry?
Determining if your cat is genuinely hungry can be trickier than it seems. Cats, known for their love of food, aren’t always the best at working out when they are truly hungry. One of the easiest tasks for a pet owner is to misinterpret their feline’s greedy eating habits.
A cat may demand food or meow at scheduled mealtime, but that doesn’t always mean they know the way to express their actual needs. Perfecting your cat’s diet takes time and includes ensuring they’re receiving the right balance of nutrients.
Making sure you’re serving the correct amount is crucial. Too little food in their bowls will inevitably lead to empty stomachs, with cats wolfing down their meals in a matter of seconds a sign they’re not getting enough.
Conversely, a gap between mealtimes or struggling to keep down food might be a sign of overeating or poor-quality diet, where the body isn’t getting the vital nutrients it needs. A hungry or unhappy feline can be a symptom of dietary imbalance.
Begging for Food
When a cat starts begging for food, it’s crucial to assess if they are being fed enough. Just because they beg doesn’t always mean you’re not serving sufficient nutrition. As mentioned earlier, some food-obsessed felines can be quite demanding even when full.
Being careful not to encourage this behavior is key. If begging is consistently rewarded, it becomes a difficult habit to break. Constantly giving in to their demands can lead to overfeeding, putting them at risk of health problems.
Also Read: What Human Foods Can Cats Eat?
Potential Medical Issues
An insatiable appetite in a cat can be a clue pointing to underlying health issues. It’s a fact that a number of medical conditions can lead to increased hunger in pets. While it’s natural to first consider dietary factors when a cat seems always hungry, the persistence of this behavior warrants a deeper investigation into potential health concerns.
Worms: Intestinal parasites, commonly known as worms, can leave cats in a constant state of hunger. This is because the cat’s body struggles with absorbing healthy nutrients from the food they ingest, due to these parasitic creatures gobbling up the nourishment meant for the cat. Administering deworming medication can effectively bring this problem under control.
Early indications of diabetes: Increased hunger can be an early indication of diabetes in cats. This condition arises when the cat’s body struggles to break down glucose for energy, leading to the cat wanting more food. Other signs include increased urination, excessive thirst, and unexplained weight loss. If you suspect this sickness, it can be diagnosed through urine and blood tests and is often treated with insulin injections.
Hyperthyroidism, characterized by an overactive thyroid, can cause a cat’s body to burn energy rapidly, leading to them crying out for food and water more often. Symptoms of this condition include significant weight loss, difficulty sleeping, a rapid heart rate, and fatigue.
If you suspect hyperthyroidism, it’s essential to consult a vet for a physical exam. Treatment options vary, ranging from medication to radioactive iodine therapy or even surgery.
Is My Cat Hungry or Just Greedy?
Cats, with their love to eat, can often puzzle their owners. Biologically being hunters, it’s not surprising that their lives revolve around food. But does this mean they’re just fussy eaters, or is their diet not right? If you’re missing mealtime cues, you might wonder, “Why is my cat always hungry?”
This question is a daily challenge for many pet parents, as distinguishing between cat cravings and greedy behavior is notoriously difficult. At mealtimes, if you notice your cat begging for food even after it has eaten, you could be dealing with food-obsessed felines. However, it’s important to ensure your cat receives the right amount of food.
This is vital to keeping them happy and healthy. Recognizing whether your cat is actually hungry or just greedy is crucial, as it can help spot signs of overeating and allow you to nip in the bud any potential overeating problem. Throughout this article, we will explore reasons why your cat might be constantly hungry and how a high-quality diet can help manage these appetite issues.
Signs Your Cat Could Actually Be Hungry
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Incorrect Portion Sizes:
It’s important to know if you’re feeding your cat appropriately. Too little food in their bowls can inevitably lead to hunger pangs. While feeding guides on food packaging are helpful, they don’t always account for the different appetites of each feline, which can depend on factors like age, breed, weight, and activity levels. It’s crucial to monitor their intake, track how much they’re eating, and adjust accordingly. Developing a feeding schedule that works for your cat and maintaining it consistently is key to ensuring they’re not underfed.
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Trouble Keeping Food Down:
If your cat is throwing up undigested food, it may not be receiving the necessary nutrients its body needs to stay healthy. Struggling to keep down food can be a sign of a poor-quality diet or food allergies. Frequent vomiting might indicate a diet-related issue. In such cases, a transition to a different diet with natural, high-quality ingredients can be beneficial, especially for felines with sensitive stomachs. If your cat is continuing to vomit, it’s important to consult a vet as soon as possible to rule out any underlying health issues.
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Eating too Quickly:
When cats ravenously wolf down their meal, it could indicate they are particularly hungry, perhaps due to a gap between mealtimes. This behavior often leaves their stomachs crying out for food, and as a household pet, they might resort to gobbling up their meals quickly. It’s important not to immediately label this as speed-eating or greedy behavior. Observe their behavior during and after feeding: are they begging for more food? This could stem from potential reasons like boredom, stress, or a fear of mealtime predators, compelling them to strike first. Eating quickly can cause pets to end up vomiting. To counter this, serve smaller portions and spread out the pieces to slow down the eating process.
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Crying at Mealtime:
Meowing at a scheduled mealtime can be a cat’s way of saying they’re hungry. However, it’s not always an automatic sign of hunger, as cats often want food simply because they enjoy a routine. They anticipate being fed at the same time every day, so if feeding time is delayed, they’re quick to let you know. Hunger meows tend to have a higher pitch and are more insistent. To avoid these cues, feed your cat at set times each day, helping them know when to expect their next meal. Leaving some dry kibble around the house for them to nibble on can also help in combating the stress of a missed mealtime, but be wary of overeating.
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Stealing food from the table:
Even cats that live with humans may find it hard to resist a tempting treat, especially if they’re hungry. If you catch your cat leaping onto the table and attempting to snatch a piece of chicken or leftovers, it might be time to consider increasing meal rations. Felines that are well-fed shouldn’t be overly active in burning calories quicker than they can consume. However, bear in mind that not all human foods are safe for cats; always cover or remove harmful food when planning on leaving it unattended.
Also Read: Why Do Cats Like Fish?
Dealing With a Greedy Cat
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Spotting the Difference:
For pet parents, it can be difficult to spot the difference between a hungry cat and a greedy cat. If your cat seems satisfied with the amount they’re eating but still has a satisfying appetite, and is crying as if hungry, take a closer look at your cat’s eating habits.
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Extra Food:
Giving an occasional extra piece of food won’t harm your cat, but regularly straying into overeating territory can host a range of health problems. It’s important to follow a regulated feeding routine.
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Assessing the Diet:
The simplest solution is to assess if they’re getting the right amount of essential nutrients to satiate their appetite. Cats thrive on a complete, well-balanced diet, rich in high-quality protein and natural ingredients. Also, ensure they have access to fresh water at all times.
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Exercise at Mealtime:
Leaving food in bowls all day can be counterproductive. Make your cat exercise for their mealtime. Engage in activities like play fetch or hide and seek with kibble, making eating both challenging and gratifying. Increased activity can also help manage their weight.
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Treats and Extra Food:
Look at the amount of extra food you’re feeding, including treats. Treats should only make up about 20% of their daily diet. Bear in mind to choose healthy options, like Whole Tuna Loin, which is 100% tuna and 100% natural, a tasty reward for your cat.
How Diet Can Help?
A well-fed cat is often a happy one. Feeding your feline a high-quality diet that meets all nutritional requirements is key to keeping them healthy and reducing begging behaviors. The foods that fill up cats the most are those rich in high-quality protein and fibre, such as chicken breast, fish, and a variety of fruits and vegetables. It’s important when choosing a diet to look for ingredients that are vital to keeping them fit and full.
To curb hunger, I recommend feeding cats natural wet and dry foods as part of a balanced diet. For example, a complete Chicken Dry Food containing 80% chicken and 20% vegetables is a great mix of protein and fibre. Additionally, wet foods with recipes like Chicken Breast with Brown Rice in Broth Pouch or Tuna with Salmon in Jelly Tin made with real meat not only fill stomachs but leave them licking their lips.
If you’re interested in more tips on feeding your feline, spend a few minutes reading the “What Is the best Diet for Cats?” article for more food dos and don’ts. Remember, an increased appetite could be due to a lacking diet, a medical condition such as diabetes or hyperthyroidism, or even behavioural factors like stress or boredom. If you’re concerned your cat is eating too much to satisfy their craving, it’s wise to contact your vet to determine the underlying reason.
Cats Understand Meal Times
Cats, unlike strangers to a designated mealtime schedule, quickly learn when to expect food. They may hold signs of hunger, but these are not necessarily indicative of being truly hungry. Once accustomed to a schedule, cats might demand food at these times. They naturally eat little and often, possibly snacking up to 10 times in a 24-hour period – a natural behavior stemming from their instinct to hunt regularly throughout the day and night. Understanding their calories needs around dinner time can help discern their actual hunger from their preference for routine.
In cases of actual hunger due to insufficient food, it may take a longer time and be harder to tell apart from routine demands. However, this is an unlikely problem unless dealing with neighborhood strays or neglected pets, where it becomes important to spot signs of hunger to help appropriately.
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Regurgitating Food:
When a cat eats too quickly, upchucking their meal soon after eating is a concern. Understanding the difference between vomiting and regurgitating is crucial to spot potential issues. Regurgitation typically occurs immediately after feeding, involving undigested food with a passive motion, little to no retching. In contrast, vomit often includes acidic liquid or rancid bile, distinguishable from food pieces. With regurgitation, there’s often an effortless expulsion with visible signs of the esophagus tube shaping the food material. The expelled particles can be either solid or liquid.
Regurgitation is relatively common in kitties, especially those fed dry kibble that absorbs liquid and swells in the belly. This can delay the signal to the brain that they are full, leading to overeating and subsequent regurgitation. It’s disgusting to watch, but important to recognize, especially if your cat eats and then throws up frequently.
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Skinny or Sunken Body:
While some cats are naturally thin, like breeds such as the Singapura or Chausie, being lean and fit throughout their whole life doesn’t necessarily mean they’re a hungry kitty. A cause for concern is when a cat’s body shape appears tucked-up with a visible rib cage, skinny appearance, protruding hip bones, or a noticeable spine. If you can feel these bones distinctly when you pet them, it could indicate extreme weight loss. Additionally, if their coat becomes drab, dull, or patchy, it’s a sign that they might not be receiving enough nutrition.
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Lethargy:
While cats are naturally lazier than some other pets, extreme hunger can lead to weakness and lethargy. This is because they lack nutrients to fuel their body, muscles, and brain, which are vital components for being responsive. A cat that sleeps more than usual might be trying to preserve energy due to insufficient food intake.
Medications
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Medications for Kidneys:
The kidneys are essential organs that regulate minerals, remove waste from blood, and eliminate urine. In cases of advanced kidney disease, prescription medication like mirtazapine may be used, which can increase appetite.
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Steroids:
Often used to treat various disease conditions such as allergies or immune system problems, steroids can also increase a cat’s appetite.
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Anxiolytics:
These are prescribed to help with behavioral problems or anxiety in cats. While they can reduce appetite, they might also conversely increase it.
Also Read: Can Cats Eat Olives?
Diabetes
Feline diabetes is a common illness affecting our furry housemates, with estimates suggesting between 0.5% to 2% of cats have active diabetes, many of which remain undiagnosed. The percentages are notably higher in chubby cats compared to those of average weight. This condition arises from trouble regulating sugar levels due to insulin problems, leading to high blood glucose levels.
Signs of diabetes include:
- Increased thirst
- Increased urination
- Increased appetite
- Weight loss
Diabetes can be a significant cause of hunger in cats. This condition arises when their muscles and organs don’t receive proper energy from food because the body resists insulin or glucose is unable to enter the cells. This leads to a persistent hunger signal to the brain, despite eating more, exacerbating the problem. Managing a cat’s diet plays a huge role in regulating diabetes, and your cat may require medication as part of its sign management strategy.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism occurs when a cat’s thyroid gland produces too many thyroid hormones, drastically impacting their metabolic processes. This condition is marked by noticeable signs such as weight loss despite increased food and water intake, as the thyroid is responsible for regulating these bodily functions.
Other signs of hypothyroidism in cats include:
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Greasy or clumpy coat
- Increased urination
- Hyperactivity
- Disturbances to sleeping patterns
- Sometimes vomiting and diarrhea
Hyperthyroidism is a complex disease in cats, but with treatment, it’s important to note that it is manageable by taking the proper steps.
Intestinal Parasites
Hunger issues in cats can often be a sign of a parasitic infection. Parasites residing in the bowel can be robbing the cat’s body of vital nutrients they need to thrive, leading to nutrition deficiencies. This can cause increased hunger as the cat attempts to compensate for the loss.Top of Form
The most common signs of intestinal parasites include:
- Watery stool
- Bloody stool
- Vomiting
- Bloating
- Lethargy
When addressing your cat’s eating habits, intestinal parasites demand special attention. These parasitic infections, including roundworms and tapeworms, are particularly common in outdoor cats. I recall when my own cat exhibited increased hunger, only to discover she was battling a roundworm infestation. Prompt treatment is crucial, and fortunately, many options are available. Over the counter remedies can be both inexpensive and effective, targeting specific types of parasites.
Shifting focus, it’s essential to consider the items you provide for your cat’s feeding. Cats deserve the best, and that extends to their food and water dishes. These are not just essential items but pivotal in ensuring they eat well. A well-designed dish caters to the specific needs of felines. For instance, the Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl, which I personally use, is a modern, whisker-friendly option.
This all-in-one pet dish features removable, stainless steel bowls that are shallow for optimum comfort. They sit in a PP plastic tray with a wide lip to catch any overflow, making it dishwasher-friendly and a breeze for tidying up. Since switching to this bowl, I’ve noticed my cat is happier and more comfortable during meal times, emphasizing that a happy cat starts with the right feeding setup.
Conclusion
In the journey of ensuring your cat is receiving the right nutrition, vigilance is key. If you’re worried about a change in appetite, such as your cat remaining hungry shortly after eating or showing unexplained weight loss, it’s wise to consult a vet. I’ve had to make an appointment for my cat under similar circumstances, where it’s crucial to rule out any underlying health issues. Meanwhile, if you suspect neglect in an unhealthy stray, don’t hesitate to report and look for local resources. Shelters and rescues are well-equipped to help. These organizations, true masters at finding homes and preparing hearty dinners for felines, will ensure the cat is not owned before they intervene. I’ve reached out to owners through enquiries in my community before, to tempt them to take better care of their pets. It’s all about taking that extra step to ensure every cat gets the care and attention it deserves.
People Are Also Interested In:
How Long Can a Cat Go Without Food?
Cats, especially the healthiest, can live up to 2 weeks without food, but weak, ill, or unhealthy cats may succumb far sooner, within 3 days. Their body uses fat reservoirs for energy, but once these energy reserves deplete, organs fail. Water is crucial; without it, they can only survive about 4 days.
Also Read: Why does My Cat Groom Me?
When Does Hunger Transition to Malnutrition?
Malnutrition in a constantly hungry cat with no steady food source can develop when the time between meals is extended, and they eat food deficient in critical nutrients. If not corrected early on, prolonged dietary issues can lead to bigger health concerns, impacting organs and the musculoskeletal system.
What Other Problems Could Cause Abnormal Hunger in Cats?
If your cat has suddenly developed an insatiable hunger despite proper feeding and maintaining body weight, certain health conditions and medications could be the cause.
