Expert: Karen Craft - 11/28/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi Karen,

I have a question related to my cat's behavior. Just to give you some background - my husband and I adopted our cat 6 years ago from a pet shelter. He is very friendly 9 years old Maine Coon cat. He was always a very vocal cat, meows a lot, he meows when he is happy, afraid or upset. The problem started two years ago  - he became interested only in his food. He stopped playing with us, he became distant. He waits for us to come back from work and he starts meowing loudly and waits for his food. Initially we would give him the food immediately, he would eat it and then ignored us completely. Later on my husband suggested that we should not give him the food immediately but wait for half an hour and then feed him so he knows that his loud meowing is not tolerated. Well, he still meows loudly every day, when we ignore him, he will go under the bed and meows from there until he receives his food. We adopted a second cat year and a half ago, another male Maine Coon. We thought that he is lonely and he needs company. Well, his behavior did not change, he is interested in food, now he would eat my other cat's food when I am not watching him. He knows that what he is doing is wrong, but he still meows loudly and sneaks behind my back and eats the food.

I would appreciate your advice on what may be causing his behavior.

Thank you,
Kemi

ANSWER: Hi Kemi,

I have a few questions to ask. How is his weight? Has he gained or lost weight? What is his coat like? Does he hide under the bed all the time or only when he is upset? When you got the new cat did you notice any changes in his behavior besides the food issue? Does he drink more? What type of food are you feeding him and how much? Is he more vocal in the evenings? If you can give me more info I may be able to help you. Or at least point you in the right direction as to where to gey help. Write back.

Ciao, Karen

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Karen,
Thanks for the reply. Initially when we adopted our cat we would fill his dish so he had access to food all day long. As a result he gained some weight. The vet advised us to feed him in the morning and in the evening so we can control how much he eats. He is a big cat  - 15 lbs (Main Coons generally are big cats), but now he is in great shape - not overweight. His coat is shiny and soft. He hides under the bed only when he is upset, otherwise he is very social and usually stays in the room with us. I don't think that he drinks more water, we feed him in the morning with half a cup of dry food and in the evening we give him half a can of canned food. We give exactly the same amount to our younger cat who is a bit smaller but very active. When we got the new cat the older one was fine, actually the younger one was very protective and aggressive at first, but in 3-4 months they got used to each other. I don't think that he is more vocal in the evenings. He is very vocal in the mornings as well, before he gets his food. I know that it is OK for a cat to meow and show you that he is hungry, but our cat is so loud and obnoxious. When we raise our voices and say "No, stop it!", he will hide under the bed and continue meowing from there.

Thanks,
Kemi

Answer
Hi Kemi,

Well one thing I can tell you is that I don't think you are feeding him enough. 1/2 cup dry food and 1/2 can of wet for a Maine Coon doesn't sound right to me. Male Maine Coons should weigh between 15-25lbs. Yours is on the light end. And with him crying for food sounds like he needs to eat. You have to meet his needs. Here's a link to a really good site about cat nutrition.
http://catinfo.org/index.htm

I think you should take him to the vet to rule out anything that might be physically wrong, i.e. hyperthyroidism. Meowing loudly in the morning like yours does could be a symptom. I am assuming that this meowing is new with him. Have your vet do a blood work up on him. If nothing shows up then try feeding him more in the evening. This will help carry him over to the morning. And it should break the cycle of him meowing in the morning. Check with the vet first. Good luck.

Ciao, Karen