Gluttonous Cat Who Eats Too Quickly: What To Do?
Gluttonous Cat: Why Is My Cat Always Hungry?
Domesticated cats have different needs from wild cats. They should not eat so much because their physical activity is very moderate. This is especially the case for indoor cats. A cat’s appetite can be affected by its condition. Some felines are to be watched. Here are some examples.
The Sterilized Cat
The sterilized cat may be more gluttonous. Sterilization leads to a decrease in energy requirements. This rule applies to both females and males, cats as well as dogs. Once neutered, the cat should have smaller portions of food. However, his appetite is increasing! It is therefore possible that he eats his meals too quickly.
The Sedentary Cat
Domesticated cats can be very sedentary. This is the case of felines that live in apartments and have very limited access to outdoor spaces. Of course, for them, there are cat trees and other similar structures, but this does not replace the physical exercise that they can benefit from outside. The sedentary cat has very low energy expenditure. Their contributions must therefore be reduced. Vigilance is a must with these inactive cats as they can get into the habit of eating to keep themselves busy.
The Pregnant Cat
The pregnant cat has significant needs in terms of nutritional intake. For her, you have to make an exception and increase the portions. Once the kittens are there, the portions should remain the same until the nursing is finished. Then, you have to reduce the amount of food little by little.
The Growing Cat
A kitten can take up to 10 grams per day during its first week of life and then 20 grams per day until the age of 7 months. During this first period of its life, the cat will reach its adult weight which is between 2 kg and 4 kg. This weight depends mainly on the size of the cat and its breed. Throughout its growth, the cat has more important needs. So you have to give him enough food.
Cat Bulimia
It’s a fact: a cat can be bulimic. This eating disorder can have medical causes such as a form of diabetes mellitus or even thyroid disorders. But bulimia can also develop in case of anxiety. In this case, other symptoms may appear such as:
- lack of physical activity,
- excessive grooming,
- hair loss,
- lack of desire to play.
A bulimic cat is most often a fearful cat. This state can be transient or permanent. It can be explained by a change of life or environment such as a move, a change of family or even a different environment. If the symptoms persist, it is recommended to go to the veterinarian. He may prescribe anxiolytics.
How To Regulate A Cat’S Appetite?
Several options exist to properly feed a cat and therefore regulate its appetite. In the wild, a cat can eat about fifteen small mammals every day. A domesticated cat simply has access to a bowl. This is filled several times a day so that the cat has several meals or has kibble available throughout the day.
To regulate a cat’s appetite, here are two mistakes not to make.
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- Give 2 or 3 meals a day. A cat is not a human, it does not eat at fixed times but when it is hungry. If he has access to the outside, he may eat small prey and the quantity of these meals may be too high.
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- Use kibble dispensers. The kibble dispensers may seem practical when you are away all day, but they are not adapted to the needs of the cat. Portions are too small! They do not fill the stomach of the feline and do not generate satiety.
Normally, a cat should have kibble available so that it can eat when it feels the need. However, it may happen that this organization is not suitable for a gluttonous cat. The latter can finish his bowl in just a few minutes when it is full.
How To Boost A Cat’S Satiety?
Focus On Bi-Nutrition
If your cat is too gluttonous, you can improve its satiety. To do this, simply modify the composition of its menus. The ideal is to set up a mixed diet that combines:
- dry food, namely kibble,
- wet food represented by pâtés, mousses and minced meat,
- homemade food.
The first solution is to mix croquettes with mash. This alternative is very interesting because wet food is richer in water. It therefore takes up more space in the stomach and promotes satiety in the animal. If you opt for this form of bi-nutrition, you must offer 3 to 4 meals a day to the cat. It is not necessary to provide him with kibble. As a reminder, the cat lives at night, its evening meal must be more substantial.
Opt For Quality Croquettes
When you choose to give kibble to your cat, you must absolutely favor quality kibble. These contain all the nutrients your cat needs and above all, the composition promotes satiety. This is not the case with entry-level croquettes.
If your cat has specific needs, you can adapt the croquettes. There are many formulas such as croquettes for:
- sterilized cats,
- senior cats,
- hairballs,
- urinary disorders,
- the kittens,
- overweight cats,
- kidney problems,
- liver disorders,
- skin pathologies,
- heart trouble…
In general, overweight cats, seniors and sterilized cats should have light kibble. Their nutritional needs are different and the intakes to be provided are lower. It is necessary to take these specificities into account to ensure good health.
Monitor Your Cat’S Weight
Whether you feed your cat kibble, mash or cook small meals for him, it is necessary to ensure that he does not gain weight. Obesity in cats is increasingly common. To reduce the risks and especially the negative impact of being overweight on health, you must monitor your cat’s weight.
Here are some benchmarks. The average weight of a cat is 4 kg. Neutered cats tend to weigh a little more. Of course, this is an average. Some purebred cats are naturally heavier. This is the case of the Chartreux, the Savannah, the Maine Coon, the Norwegian or even the Ragdoll.
The average meal for a cat is:
- 15 grams of croquettes and 150 grams of mash per day,
- 30 grams of kibble and 100 grams of mash per day.
For advice on the composition of the meals of a gluttonous cat, you can contact the veterinarian who follows your animal.
