My Cat is Eating all the time

[smurfchops]

My cat doesn't have worms, but he has got in the habit of asking for food all the time, as soon as he comes in from the garden, in fact unless he is sleeping he is by his bowl. Could he be bored?? He is an only child ... It is becoming an obsession, what can I do? I give him plenty of white fish (frozen) fillets (thawed out of course !) and some cat biscuits for dessert, sometimes Felix which he loves but I am not sure how much fat is in it so I give him fish ... and I try and feed him only twice a day with a small treat at night. But he is a big cat now and I dont want him to put on any more weight. How can I get him out of this habit, I am seriously getting to the end of my tether with him. We can't even eat our evening meal in peace, he's on the table with us (no we are in our chairs). He is five and has always been greedy but it is getting worse. Should I just ignore him, and if so, will it help, and how long will it take ?? Thanks all x

[Andyvon]

I think Smurfchops your cat has learned it has got you on a bit of string! He obviously knows you will run around giving him whatever he wants and he has got used to the habit. I would say that the cat is very spoiled and you should stop feeding him like you do.
I have had cats and they only need feeding once a day - but keep a few biscuits in the bowl throughout the day in case he becomes peckish. The cat won't starve, especially if he leaves the biscuits. The cat will be in healthy condition when you can just feel his ribs. If he is as large as you say then he is not healthy and he probably won't be able to get around too well which isn't fair.
Hope you don't mind Smurfchops but I think you have to be hard and teach the cat to be reasonable. If he whines, keep putting him out until he learns. It will be better in the longrun for you and the cat.

[lindsaythfc]

It seems your cat has learnt that he gets fed on demand. If you begin giving him a structured feed time this should help. My cats have biscuits in a morning and these last most of the day, and meat in the evening. As the saying goes cats are creatures of habit, and currently your cats habit is to demand food. He will soon adapt to this new routine. I't can be hard to ignore them but they soon become bored and find something else to do and eventually he'll realise that he wont get fed on demand. Good luck

[smurfchops]

Thanks for your answers, I know you are both right. But if I put some biscuits down they will be eaten immediately, they won't be there at the end of the day! However I have decided you have to be 'cruel to be kind' so I will let you know how things progress! How long should it take before he realises I mean what I say?

[arburgirl]

My Barney sounds as bad as your cat, as he is my child substitute, sometimes he won't eat until I sit with him and stroke him whilst he eats, if I stop ,he stops ! (and of course I give in !) this is something I did right from a kitten as I adored him so much -he looked so sweet when eating so I stroked him and that was it, destined to pamper to his every whim. He comes in from the garden and expects food each time too, but one thing I have never let him do is get onto the table or kitchen worktops. he is always on the floor or on a lap. I would definitely say he's a gannet like your cat and my other half insists I feed him too much, I have cut down to about two thirds of a tin of felix a day, but he has a few biscuits in the bowl inbetween times, but then only a few, certainly not straight after any meal.It's very hard to ignore their whinges but I have tried chatting to him as I do my housework to keep his mind off food, and I call him to follow me about the house. Maybe a destraction could be the way with your cat ? what's his name by the way ?

[smurfchops]

Good idea, he is Ollie.
Have a look, he doesn't look spoilt to me, poor thing .......

http://i13.tinypic.com/29kuwjp.jpg

[wolf63]

smurfchops - your cat has obviously cottoned on to the fatties number one rule. He has hidden the bulk of his body behind his pretty pink cushion.

He looks like a happy cat.

There are a couple of physical conditions that could cause him to be hungry all the time - thyroid problems etc. It is most probably down to greed (have the same problem myself) but it might be a good idea to mention it to the vet when you are there next.

[lindsaythfc]

Difficult to say how long it will take, one of my cats, Milo is the same, he would eat all day if he could. I feed them all the same, the rest are all a good weight but poor old Milo only has to look at a tin of cat food and he's put weight on.
My cats are my child substitute too and i am quite soft with them. Had to tell my little girl of the other day and felt so bad she had an extra long cuddle!

[Andyvon]

It shouldn't take too long for the cat to learn that you aren't going to dance to his tune anymore. I would say only a week or so. However, it might be worth checking with the vet that there isn't some medical reason. But don't worry - I don't think there is much wrong. Hope this helps.

[arburgirl]

smurfchops-your Ollie is beautiful ! The pink just compliments his beautiful coat so well, does he realise pink is girlie ?! Actually I think my Barns is about the same size on the face, when I did ask the vet once about his size and giving him too much food, he told me to look at his big paws and the size of his head- he said he was just a big cat anyway - I suppose like us humans where you get a big boned person. Maybe like the others have said, It wouldn't harm to get the vet to check out any other problems just incase.