Expert: Becky - 9/8/2004

Question
Hello Ms. Bell,

My female cat (who eats Science Diet Senior) is doing this really annoying thing where she cries and whines incessantly.

I think she's hungry, she follows me into the kitchen and looks at her bowl as though she's waiting for me to feed her, but then when I do, she sniffs the bowl and then walks away as if she's offended and simply continues to cry and whine.

She does eventually eat her food, so it's not like she's starving herself or anything, but she doesn't finish the food in her bowl anymore (she used to).

I'm not sure if maybe she's sick of her food or something? Would it be okay if I tried giving her regular Adult food, rather than the Senior food?

A couple years ago she had surgery to have kidney stones removed, but ever since, she's been fine.

Thanx very much for your time, your advice would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Joanne

Answer
Hi Joanne,

Cats are very smart and I think she is hoping for something "good" to eat.  You didn't mention her age, but if she is on senior diet, and is and older cat, I would leave her on it.   My cats cry like that too even when they have food in their bowl!  Mine will even stand at the bathroom door and cry until I turn the water on at the sink for them.  Talk about being spoiled!  lol   I think your cat is definetly asking to be fed, even though she may not eat it right away.  She may also just need a little attention.  Cats are very smart.... they know how to tell us what they want,  whether we like it or not!!  
If she had kidney stones in the past,  I would definetly not change her diet.

Good luck,
Becky