Macho obsessed with food

[rahl]

Hi all

Macho is about 1 year old (we adopted him so unclear about his age) and he has become a very hungry cat. We feed him normal as we do his pal, Mandy. But Macho has been meowing for food way before meal times. He is currently slightly plump, just above 5 kg, so we are not keen to leave a free flow of kibbles. He only meows for food and is quiet the rest of the time (unless he goes to the litter tray). And he meows very loudly (we think he might be a Siamese crossed) and goes through the food like he has not fed in days.

Any tips to quieten his anxiety? Any way to train him? I have got the suggestion to get him some non-fattening or diet kibbles but am not sure how good or healthy they are.

Thanks in advance

[KatBudz]

What food are you feeding right now? My male does the same thing, he is a healthy weight but he is always hungry and meowing for food. I do not free feed, and I do only feed canned food. Maybe add an in extra feeding for him, he may just not be used to not getting free fed, I know some shelters always leave food in their dishes. Well, unless you adopted him a while ago, then he should already be used to meal times. How many times a day do you feed your cats?

[rahl]

Originally Posted by KatBudz

What food are you feeding right now? My male does the same thing, he is a healthy weight but he is always hungry and meowing for food. I do not free feed, and I do only feed canned food. Maybe add an in extra feeding for him, he may just not be used to not getting free fed, I know some shelters always leave food in their dishes. Well, unless you adopted him a while ago, then he should already be used to meal times. How many times a day do you feed your cats?

Twice a day, kibbles in the morning and canned (occasionally fresh meat) in the evening. In fact, I haven't gotten him long - maybe half a year. So what do you do with your male?

[KatBudz]

What brand of food are you feeding to them though? My female can go on with eating just three times a day, but my male is constantly meowing for food. I feed both cats 4 smaller meals a day, and that usually keeps hin satisfied. However, he does have a mild case of gingivitis (something I discovered a week after adopting him, he was 5 months when I got him from the shelter). And Im pretty sure he has some sort of issue with his stomach, he always has fairly big and gross poops, and he can never eat his full meal in one sitting, and I think that is because his mouth starts to get sore from the gingivitis too. Since Im sure your cat does not have his problems, I would suggest that you give him one extra serving every day, like a breakfast, lunch, and dinner kind of thing, or if you work and no one is home, do the breakfast and dinner as usual, but give a bit extra just before you go to bed. You could be just feeding him too little, since you say he is a bit over weight, you can't just cut his food down all at once, it has to be gradual, you don't want him to starve and lose weight too quickly. For example, since I feed my cats 4 times a day, I do roughly 7am, 12pm, 5pm, 10pm (when I am at work my mom or sister feed them for me). Don't know if that helps, but that's what I do for my cats.

[Owned_By_Two]

Originally Posted by rahl

But Macho has been meowing for food way before meal times... Any tips to quieten his anxiety? Any way to train him?

One of my males does the same thing. And he's 10 years old and has not been free fed for years. Cats will keep pushing back the feeding time if you let them. They KNOW what time it is, their little internal clocks are more accurate than a Timex.

This is not an acceptable behavior. My cat knows who's the alpha cat, and that's me. When he starts up, all I have to do is reach for the water bottle and he knows he'd better knock it off or he'll get sprayed, along with a loud "NO!". When I do have to spray him he'll keep quiet until his normal eating time. This is "tough love" as my vet suggested that I do.

[rahl]

Originally Posted by Owned_By_Two

This is not an acceptable behavior. My cat knows who's the alpha cat, and that's me. When he starts up, all I have to do is reach for the water bottle and he knows he'd better knock it off or he'll get sprayed, along with a loud "NO!". When I do have to spray him he'll keep quiet until his normal eating time. This is "tough love" as my vet suggested that I do.

I have tried spraying but he is pretty persistent. Now he stays outside the kitchen when I am preparing their dinner (because otherwise he knows he will be sprayed), but he continues to meow in the living room.

And yes, he does meow 3 hours before feeding time - which is why I am not keen on Katbudz's suggestion because he will simply continue to meow and then put on weight due to the increased meals.

I guess it's a matter of continuing the 'training'. At least now most of the time he will not attempt to eat out of Mandy's bowl when I am standing over him.

[Owned_By_Two]

Originally Posted by rahl

I have tried spraying but he is pretty persistent. Now he stays outside the kitchen when I am preparing their dinner (because otherwise he knows he will be sprayed), but he continues to meow in the living room.

My Kramer is like this. Strong willed. On rare occasions I've had to chase him with the water bottle to put the fear into him. That gets his attention but good. If you PM me, I'll be a little more specific. He's a very loving and affectionate cat and does not fear me, but he respects me even though I've practiced tough love with him for 10 years now.

Originally Posted by rahl

And yes, he does meow 3 hours before feeding time - which is why I am not keen on Katbudz's suggestion because he will simply continue to meow and then put on weight due to the increased meals.

I guess it's a matter of continuing the 'training'. At least now most of the time he will not attempt to eat out of Mandy's bowl when I am standing over him.

He is trying to control you. You've made the decision that you will be the boss, and that is the correct decision in this case. Stick to your (water) guns