Cat is obsessed with food, how can we stop it?

by Cindy
(California)

We have a pretty large cat, about 15 pounds. He is obsessed with food. He can have food whenever he wants, we always leave food in his dish, but he begs for handouts all the time. If he's sleeping and he hears someone opening up a wrapper in the kitchen he'll immediately rush into the kitchen to see what it is and if he can have any. If I try to eat anything around him he gets excited and jumpy (even if it's food he doesn't like, like applesauce or fruit for example). He'll sit up and stare at me eating in hopes that it's something he can eat. He's just so obsessed with food. He's always hanging out around the fridge waiting for someone to come along and open it and possibly have a slice of chicken for him or something (sometimes i do wind up giving him some). If I just put my hand on the handle of the fridge, his eyes light up and he gets really excited. It's like all he thinks about is food. He eats plenty of his normal cat food, but all of the time he's hoping for something else, it's getting really annoying and it's like he has no other interests. I want to know if there is a reason for this and how we can stop it? We think it could be because we got him off the streets when he was a kitten so he probably didn't get a lot of food, and now he's obsessed with having it at all times? Or could it be that over the years we've given him too many handouts and should stop?

Answer by Kate
Hi well yes i think you have hit the nail on the head. i do think that his obsession with food stems from both his previous life on the streets and also a learned behaviour from receiving treats over the years.

It is also true that some cats are just more naturally greedy and will eat and eat and eat regardless. This is why it is important that cat owners feed them regular meals so that they do not put on too much weight and suffer possible related illnesses.

It won't be easy for you to change his ways now as this is a long term learned behaviour, and indeed he may always be a beggar. but it is up to you as his owner to keep him on the straight and narrow.

I would suggest perhaps not leaving a lot of food down for him all day. feed him the recommended amounts in three meals through out the day with a small bowl of dry food available for snacking during the day. But when ever he starts to beg for food, pick him up quietly and calmly and put him in another room and close the door for a short while. eventually he should learn that when he begs he gets this negative reaction and so should reduce this behaviour. Also when you feed him his meals give him lots of fuss afterwards i.e a positive reaction for him, this should help him understand the difference.

good luck it won't be easy but I'm sure you can do it.

bes wishes Kate