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Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/eating habit changes
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Question
I am owned by two DSHs. Recently they are both eating two to four times thier normal rations and one of them actually meows when feeding time comes around. He has been pretty lite during the winter but is currently turning into a chubo and appears very healthy and playful Actually he jumps around higher than his younger stepbrother.ANY SUGGESTIONS?
Joe,
You don't say what you are feeding the cats and if you have changed brands of food. If it is dry food then maybe your brand has too much filler in it which leaves the cats hungry. I would get a higher quality such as Iams, or call your vet and ask for a recommendation.
You might want to have the cats checked for worms. That makes the cats eat more, but usually they lose weight, not gain.
I feed my cats free choice. They always have a bowl of dry food available. A lot of people don't agree with that but it has always worked fine for me, and my cats are happy and healthy. I found that they have a tendency to just nibble rather than scarf the food down when they can eat anytime they want, and with a higher quality food they eat less. AND none of my cats are overweight from feeding that way.
Cats are like people, some are built bigger than others, and that is normal for them. As long as the cat is getting enough exercise then I wouldn't worry. But it wouldn't hurt to take the cat to the vet for a checkup and see what the vet says about his weight and overall condition.
Tabbi
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Answers by Expert:
Dear Tabbi
Expertise
My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.
Experience
Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).
Education/Credentials
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Awards and Honors
* One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *
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