I have a cat that’s fed using an automatic feeder. It gives him small amounts of food throughout the day, which adds up to the recommended amount for his weight. I set it this way because he’s super food-focused, but now I’m thinking maybe I should switch it up to bigger meals less often?
The issue is he’s always trying to get into the dog food bag. If I even leave the closet door open just a tiny bit, he’ll squeeze in and start eating the dog food. I’m wondering if the small portions are leaving him unsatisfied, or if it’s just boredom. He’s the only cat, and he doesn’t interact much with the dog. There are plenty of windows and toys for him, but he rarely plays. Any advice on what to do here?
You might want to try baby-proofing the closet. Seriously, get a child safety latch to keep him out.
Also, think about switching from kibble to wet or raw food. Kibble doesn’t have enough protein and has a lot of carbs, so it might not keep him full. Cats need meat since they are obligate carnivores. Wet food could help him feel more satisfied.
And maybe a vet visit is a good idea too, just to make sure there’s no medical issue causing this behavior, like hyperthyroidism.
When you take him to the vet, check if he might be diabetic. Extreme hunger can sometimes mean there’s an underlying issue.
But, you know, some cats are just always hungry. I store my dog food in a container with a secure, threaded lid to stop any sneaky snacks. If your cat’s weight is okay, maybe leave some wet food out. Cats usually get their water from food, so having wet food around is actually better for them and might solve the problem of your ‘hangry’ cat.