Expert: Tina - 11/18/2008

Question
Hi Tina,
My cat meows non stop all the time.  I know she loves attention, but she
always is meowing for food too.  I try to just feed her in the morning and
night, and when I do, she gobbles it up like she hasn't eaten in days.  I was
considering getting a feeder bowl to help with the begging, but I'm afraid she
won't monitor herself.  What are your thoughts?

Answer
Hi Erin,

First you should have your kitty tested by the vet for T4 and free T4 - to detect hyperthyrioidism. Constant hunger while not gaining weight (or losing it) is one of the signs of hyperthyroidism, common in senior cats. It is also possible in cats under 8 years of age but more common in cats over 10.

The recommended treatment for hyperthyroidism is radio-iodine therapy which essentially cures the disease. Left untreated, hyperthyroidism leads to heart disease, kidney and liver failure and eventually death as the body essentially burns itself out. Treatment is more successful the earlier it is caught so it is best to get her tested right away.

Read more here to familiarize yourself with hyperthyroidism:

http://www.avmi.net/newfiles/Hyperthyroidism/FAQ.html

http://maxshouse.com/Hyperthyroidism_in_Cats.htm

Do you recognize any of the other symptoms in your cat (increased thirst, hyperactivity, restless behavior, changes in the fur)

Another possible cause of increased hunger and ravenous appetite are parasites (bring a stool sample for your vet to test).

Once you rule out these potential medical problems, if your cat is just hungry I do recommend a timed auto-feeder to dispense meals at intervals. I also recommend that you take a look at the following information on cat nutrition;

http://www.catinfo.org

http://www.catnutrition.org

Good luck!