We know that all cats are die-hard fans of food. They are pure carnivores and are among the perfect hunters, so they are in constant search of food. Over the course of time, felines are tuned to eat food throughout the day as they have to hunt for themselves. They like to live in a stress-free environment. Cats only crave more food when they are facing some serious psychological issues. But if you have a foodie Cat, it’s normal. This may be due to stress or if your cat is bored. In this article, we will discuss about cat overeating problem and how to solve it.
How Cat Body and Metabolism Work?
Although Cats have small bodies, they possess a very strong digestive system and a high metabolism. Since cats are predators, most of their diet is meat-based. Meat contains proteins and essential nutrients that are digested easily. Also, cats walk, play, and hunt, so their bodies burn more calories.
As mentioned above, tier cats have a high metabolism, so the food you provide them will not be able to cut it. Like humans, cats also burn their food to get the required amount of energy. So, local cat feed with fewer nutrients gets absorbed easily like any other food. So, if you want them to not rush to food all the time, try using real food like meat, fish, and chicken instead of local cat food from stores.
Causes of Cat Excess Eating
1. Due To Overeating Habit
Some cats love to eat more and move less and as a result, they get fat. But this is not important. More important is there more eating. Some cats have a bad habit of eating food all the time. Whenever they see food either human or cat they rush and try to snatch and eat. Freely feeding your every time it asks you can lead to overeating which may cause problems with your budget and also on your cat’s health. Sometimes overeating habits can lead to cat vomiting. This problem can be solved or sometimes lead to a cat’s death.
2. Lack Of Fun Or Boredom
Cats may also feel hungry when they get bored. This is a psychological issue related to cats. They cope with boredom by eating food. This keeps them busy. Cats are very energetic animals. They require playtime to help them stay focused and energetic all day long. This could cause them to eat more.
3. Eating Low-Quality Food
We know that cats eat a diet that is more meat-based and less plant-based. So, in early times when cats were not kept as pets they used to hunt their food which was rich in nutrients and minerals. So this local food may not be able to provide them with enough minerals. Low low-quality diet is digested more and provides fewer nutrients. If you want to stop your cat from overeating, you might wanna check the food you’re feeding to a purring companion.
4. Experiencing a new food:
When you introduce your cat to a new type of food they may also experience some changes in their metabolism. A cat needs time to adjust to new foods. There are two reasons either they liked that food very much or they are adjusting their body to the new nutrients in the food. So, do not change cat food instantly. First, introduce them to the food and observe their behavior. Then feed them properly if they digest it well. Keep in mind to check the food nutrient chart every time you buy food and also check for its expiry date.
5. Side Effects Of Medication
Different types of cats are allergic to medicine. Which disrupts their metabolism either causing them to eat less or more than usual. There are a few types of Siamese cats that are susceptible to medications that cause their behavior to change. So, always keep an aya on these factors.
6. Due To Intestinal Worms or Bacteria
When cats ingest something bad it causes worms and develop bacteria in their intestine. These bacteria and worms are on the food the cats eat and grow. This leads to difficulty in energy and felines find themselves hungry and ask for a bite of food. Due to this the cat feels more hungry and asks for more food.
7. Hyperthyroidism
This condition is seen in middle-aged or old cats. This condition can cause an increase in hunger. In hyperthyroidism, cats burn a lot of energy due to high metabolism caused by more production of thyroid hormones. To fulfill that energy they start eating more. Overenergetic cats are more susceptible to this. This issue is not too risky and can be treated with proper care and medication.
8. Diabetes
Cat Diabetes is a disease that can lead to overeating. In diabetes cats pancreas is not able to fulfill sugar requirements. This happens when your body fails to produce insulin. Less production of insulin in cats causes them to break more food to obtain sugars and break sugar to convert into energy. This is a dangerous disease and needs a proper treatment. Otherwise, it can lead to a frequent increase in weight and death of cats. The main symptoms of diabetes are drinking more water and an increase in thirst and urination.
9. Less Feeding
Less feeding to cats can cause them to eat more when they get the chance. This disturbs their metabolism and causes stomach issues like pain in the stomach and more digestion of food. Less feeding also causes trust issues, cats can stop loving you and your cat may escape.
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How To Control a Foodie Cat
You can use the methods below to stop Excessive eating in cats.
1. Checking the diet chart
You can stop your cat’s hunger by regularly monitoring their plan. This includes their number of meals per day, the nutrients, and calorie intake. By doing this you can considerably reduce their overeating problem. A controlled diet plan of the day also provides a lot of benefits besides stopping hunger. It regulates their health, keeps them energetic and
2. Add Fun Time
Boredom is a very common psychological issue in cats and can be eliminated easily by investing some time in playing with them. This not only eliminates boredom but also strengthens your bond with your cat. Also, use toys and play with your feline friends to keep them happy and energetic. A happy and enriched environment is every pet’s basic need.
3. Regular Check-ups
Although cats do not like vet due to needles and syringes LOL! But regular tests and check-ups can help you keep them safe and manage overeating if it is due to some diseases like diabetes or cancer.
4. Use Diet According to the Age
Using a moderate diet according to age is also helpful in reducing overeating or undereating problems. This reduces stomach issues. Some cats are very young and of course, need high-energy foods but on the other hand, middle-aged or old cats need foods that they can digest easily
5. Keep Them Hydrated.
Water plays a vital role in the health of a cat. It keeps them hydrated. Cats need a constant supply of fresh water to quench their thirst. So, it is your responsibility to provide them with running fresh water.
Conclusion:
Cat feeling hungry or a foodie is due to different reasons like, poor diet, thirst, and diseases. As a cat parent, it is your duty to maintain their health. You can follow the above instructions. If your cat has been showing signs of hunger for more than five days. It is recommended to consult with a wet.
Note: all the information provided on this is well-researched and consulted So please appreciate it and don’t worry we’ve got you covered. For information related to pets and pet problems Visit PETFILA.