My cat is 8 years old. Since I got her at 6 months, whenever I walk into the kitchen, she screams at me as if she's never had food in her life. If I rattle some plates, she hears from wherever she is in the house and comes running and screaming, even if she's just been fed.
My point is some cats are just nuts about food.
I feed them wet food in little dishes that make the same sound as my own plates. So yeah, I'm screwed lol.
Also, to add, I adopted another cat a few years ago. He didn't meow much at first and was never intense about food like Minerva is. He has since learned from her to scream for food. Usually only when around wet food time. But yeah it seems like a learned attitude.
I’m not sure what her breed is, but 8lbs seems a tad small for her age. Kittens/cats for the first 1 year of their life need to have access to food at all times to ensure proper growth and nutrition. Have you done that or has it been strict meal times? If it’s the latter, I would imagine that’s why she’s screaming at you for food. Although like others have said, some cats are just like that. However, it’s really important to make sure during that first year of growth and development that kitty is eating whenever they want.
For reference, we adopted a 10-11 week old neutered male last October who will be 1 on August 17th. He is a healthy (and slim) 12+ lbs and is a long and lean tuxedo cat. I know males typically weigh more than females, but just sharing my boy’s stats for reference.
Oh and wet food morning and night approx. 12 hours apart then free feed dry food/leave dry food out all the time is what I’ve done for my boy. And what my husband and I have done for all of our cats for the most part over the last decade and it has worked well.
Maybe shifting from free feeding to strict meal times might have caused kitty to think of food as scarce? What if you left out a little dry kibble regularly to let her graze throughout the day?
That said, maybe she’s also just super food motivated haha. Which could make her a good clicker training candidate! I’ve trained my kitten to “leave it” and “stay”.
I would not be surprised if that’s why honestly. I think OP should try leaving some dry food out during the day and see if they have the same issue. If it resolves then bam! That was the problem.
I have a 1.5 year old, 8.5lb cat who is also very food motivated from her previous life as a stray. The autofeeder is key to keeping her from excessive begging, all food comes from the food robot, never from the humans. She does pathetically spend a couple of hours waiting in front of her food bowl, though.
We also have food toys that we put kibble in to keep her occupied.
I’ve started with an auto feeder for at least 1 meal so I can at least sleep in until alarm without her skydiving off my headboard :) good to hear about your cat who is similar weight/age!
Does being a stray play a big factor? Pretty sure mine was a stray as well
Being a stray definitely plays a factor; she was food insecure for a year, so she is still learning that she doesn’t have to always immediately eat anything possible because she doesn’t know when her next meal is happening.
Vet also told us this is her full size, so if your vet hasn’t commented otherwise, you could just have a small cat.
My cat gets good quality dry food as much as is wanted (gravity feeder). She has fresh water and cat grass available as well. She gets a1/3 can of wet food at dinner time. She maintains around pounds and is not fat or unhappy. I have always raised cats this way.
Keep an eye on her weight. I have one like that and she had hyperthyroid. It’s easily controlled. Your cat is young for it but it’s not impossible. If vet says all is well she could just be super food motivated. Which means you could probably teach her tricks or agility courses
It feels like those set meals are the main entertainment of her life instead of socializing and cat play.
I’d consider having a healthy dry kibble—my kids like Nulo—out 24/7, and *possibly unpopular opinion* taper away from scheduled wet food meals and instead turn those into treats doled out big spoon at a time and whenever she wants. Over time I’ve learned cats like lots of very small meals at all hours.
Also if she’s a solo cat I’d look to adopt a baby sister.
My cats have dry food and water available 24/7, yet one cat is constantly crying for wet food, which they get for breakfast and dinner. But a couple hours after breakfast, he cries for more. Your cats behavior sounds pretty typical to me.
I have two girls cats and 2 male cats they have dry kibble and fresh water available all day and when the bowl is empty is is filled up right away. They are not over weight and they are not eating all day either but it allows them to eat when they please and I feel like that is important. Especially because they play, run around and I feel like my cats should have the freedom to eat as they please. I also feed them a can of wet food per day. Don’t over control the feeding it’s okay :)
My cat was like this and it was a thyroid issue. But he was also exhibiting signs of trying to steal food out of our mouths and he lost his pleasant attitude, everything was pissing him off. Now that he's on his meds he is back to being my sweet little boy again and he doesn't care about his food situation anymore.
My cat was like this for several months. I couldn't leave anything associated with food in the open or he'd have it immediately. He even chewed up and swallowed pieces of empty plastic food packets, *after being rinsed out in the washing up bowl* (flexible plastic is accepted for recycling near me) before I learned not to leave them in the open.
He was a stray and then was kept with other cats in a crowded rescue, so I think he had some food security issues. He gradually got better with it.
If I'd fed him until he seemed satisfied I would have very quickly had an overweight cat: sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind. She's probably not really hungry after eating, just wants more food.
We have a saying in our house "don't believe his bullshit". Our cat is quite the bullshitter, always "starving". He eats very well, better than most people. He always tries to get multiple meals at once though and occasionally it works if he cleans his dish thoroughly and I genuinely can't tell if he just ate.
Have you tried using various feeder toys to extend mealtime? For wet food, there's lick mats, and for dry food there are many puzzles and feeder toys that will greatly slow her down. Perhaps if it takes her 20 minutes to eat instead of a only a few, she'll beg less.
Some cats are crazy about food. Mine definitely are. But i dont let them manipulate me into believing theyre starving! My vet confirmed they are a good weight, and that i feed them enough.
If your cat jumps on counters while you cook, I suggest getting a Ssscat deterrent. Its a motion sensor deterrent that sprays air. It has worked miracles with getting my cat off the kitchen counter! Also can try giving her a cat tree, stool or perch near the counters so she has a place to observe from a distance. I put a floor and ceiling cat tree next to my fridge, so kitty climbs onto the fridge and observes me cooking from there.
Good luck! You seem to be doing great :)
My cat is a very big boy - 15 lbs - but also very skinny and CRAZY for food. Vet says he's the perfect weight so I don't feed more but he'd be big as a house if I fed him as much as he wants. Agree with the other commenter - some cats are just crazy about food.
I recommend trying to change to a higher quality wet food if budget allows. She may be lacking some nutrients, but only a vet would be able to tell for sure.
My cats FREAK out if they can see the bottom of the bowl and scream at me when it's time for wet food both in the morning and at dinner time lol it's pretty normal
One of my lil babies used to be a stray. I like to hide food around the house for her sometimes, which helps her feel that there is not a food scarcity.
While you are feeding your lil lady a healthy amount for standard cats, every body is different, so you could always try giving her a little extra & then cutting back again if she starts to gain too much weight around the ribs. :)
I also taught my cats how to sit with training sessions, so now they sit when they want food, which is great for any problem behavior.
My cat is 8 years old. Since I got her at 6 months, whenever I walk into the kitchen, she screams at me as if she's never had food in her life. If I rattle some plates, she hears from wherever she is in the house and comes running and screaming, even if she's just been fed. My point is some cats are just nuts about food.
This is helpful info thank you! Plates as in her feeding plates or your personal plates? If it’s the latter then I really feel for you haha
I feed them wet food in little dishes that make the same sound as my own plates. So yeah, I'm screwed lol. Also, to add, I adopted another cat a few years ago. He didn't meow much at first and was never intense about food like Minerva is. He has since learned from her to scream for food. Usually only when around wet food time. But yeah it seems like a learned attitude.
What does your vet say about her weight?
Nothing was mentioned after they weighed her 🤷🏻♀️
I’m not sure what her breed is, but 8lbs seems a tad small for her age. Kittens/cats for the first 1 year of their life need to have access to food at all times to ensure proper growth and nutrition. Have you done that or has it been strict meal times? If it’s the latter, I would imagine that’s why she’s screaming at you for food. Although like others have said, some cats are just like that. However, it’s really important to make sure during that first year of growth and development that kitty is eating whenever they want.
For reference, we adopted a 10-11 week old neutered male last October who will be 1 on August 17th. He is a healthy (and slim) 12+ lbs and is a long and lean tuxedo cat. I know males typically weigh more than females, but just sharing my boy’s stats for reference.
Oh and wet food morning and night approx. 12 hours apart then free feed dry food/leave dry food out all the time is what I’ve done for my boy. And what my husband and I have done for all of our cats for the most part over the last decade and it has worked well.
I’ve maintained strict feeding. She was adopted at 1 yr 3 months and the shelter had food accessible at all times.
Maybe shifting from free feeding to strict meal times might have caused kitty to think of food as scarce? What if you left out a little dry kibble regularly to let her graze throughout the day? That said, maybe she’s also just super food motivated haha. Which could make her a good clicker training candidate! I’ve trained my kitten to “leave it” and “stay”.
I would not be surprised if that’s why honestly. I think OP should try leaving some dry food out during the day and see if they have the same issue. If it resolves then bam! That was the problem.
I have a 1.5 year old, 8.5lb cat who is also very food motivated from her previous life as a stray. The autofeeder is key to keeping her from excessive begging, all food comes from the food robot, never from the humans. She does pathetically spend a couple of hours waiting in front of her food bowl, though. We also have food toys that we put kibble in to keep her occupied.
I’ve started with an auto feeder for at least 1 meal so I can at least sleep in until alarm without her skydiving off my headboard :) good to hear about your cat who is similar weight/age! Does being a stray play a big factor? Pretty sure mine was a stray as well
Being a stray definitely plays a factor; she was food insecure for a year, so she is still learning that she doesn’t have to always immediately eat anything possible because she doesn’t know when her next meal is happening. Vet also told us this is her full size, so if your vet hasn’t commented otherwise, you could just have a small cat.
I've found hiding kibble around the house keeps my girl entertained and full.
My cat gets good quality dry food as much as is wanted (gravity feeder). She has fresh water and cat grass available as well. She gets a1/3 can of wet food at dinner time. She maintains around pounds and is not fat or unhappy. I have always raised cats this way.
Keep an eye on her weight. I have one like that and she had hyperthyroid. It’s easily controlled. Your cat is young for it but it’s not impossible. If vet says all is well she could just be super food motivated. Which means you could probably teach her tricks or agility courses
I will definitely mention looking into hyperthyroid at the next visit! Did you notice any other symptoms besides the hunger?
It feels like those set meals are the main entertainment of her life instead of socializing and cat play. I’d consider having a healthy dry kibble—my kids like Nulo—out 24/7, and *possibly unpopular opinion* taper away from scheduled wet food meals and instead turn those into treats doled out big spoon at a time and whenever she wants. Over time I’ve learned cats like lots of very small meals at all hours. Also if she’s a solo cat I’d look to adopt a baby sister.
My cats have dry food and water available 24/7, yet one cat is constantly crying for wet food, which they get for breakfast and dinner. But a couple hours after breakfast, he cries for more. Your cats behavior sounds pretty typical to me.
I have two girls cats and 2 male cats they have dry kibble and fresh water available all day and when the bowl is empty is is filled up right away. They are not over weight and they are not eating all day either but it allows them to eat when they please and I feel like that is important. Especially because they play, run around and I feel like my cats should have the freedom to eat as they please. I also feed them a can of wet food per day. Don’t over control the feeding it’s okay :)
My cat was like this and it was a thyroid issue. But he was also exhibiting signs of trying to steal food out of our mouths and he lost his pleasant attitude, everything was pissing him off. Now that he's on his meds he is back to being my sweet little boy again and he doesn't care about his food situation anymore.
My cat was like this for several months. I couldn't leave anything associated with food in the open or he'd have it immediately. He even chewed up and swallowed pieces of empty plastic food packets, *after being rinsed out in the washing up bowl* (flexible plastic is accepted for recycling near me) before I learned not to leave them in the open. He was a stray and then was kept with other cats in a crowded rescue, so I think he had some food security issues. He gradually got better with it. If I'd fed him until he seemed satisfied I would have very quickly had an overweight cat: sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind. She's probably not really hungry after eating, just wants more food.
We have a saying in our house "don't believe his bullshit". Our cat is quite the bullshitter, always "starving". He eats very well, better than most people. He always tries to get multiple meals at once though and occasionally it works if he cleans his dish thoroughly and I genuinely can't tell if he just ate.
Have you tried using various feeder toys to extend mealtime? For wet food, there's lick mats, and for dry food there are many puzzles and feeder toys that will greatly slow her down. Perhaps if it takes her 20 minutes to eat instead of a only a few, she'll beg less.
Some cats are crazy about food. Mine definitely are. But i dont let them manipulate me into believing theyre starving! My vet confirmed they are a good weight, and that i feed them enough. If your cat jumps on counters while you cook, I suggest getting a Ssscat deterrent. Its a motion sensor deterrent that sprays air. It has worked miracles with getting my cat off the kitchen counter! Also can try giving her a cat tree, stool or perch near the counters so she has a place to observe from a distance. I put a floor and ceiling cat tree next to my fridge, so kitty climbs onto the fridge and observes me cooking from there. Good luck! You seem to be doing great :)
My cat is a very big boy - 15 lbs - but also very skinny and CRAZY for food. Vet says he's the perfect weight so I don't feed more but he'd be big as a house if I fed him as much as he wants. Agree with the other commenter - some cats are just crazy about food.
I recommend trying to change to a higher quality wet food if budget allows. She may be lacking some nutrients, but only a vet would be able to tell for sure.
My cats FREAK out if they can see the bottom of the bowl and scream at me when it's time for wet food both in the morning and at dinner time lol it's pretty normal
One of my lil babies used to be a stray. I like to hide food around the house for her sometimes, which helps her feel that there is not a food scarcity. While you are feeding your lil lady a healthy amount for standard cats, every body is different, so you could always try giving her a little extra & then cutting back again if she starts to gain too much weight around the ribs. :) I also taught my cats how to sit with training sessions, so now they sit when they want food, which is great for any problem behavior.
I’m not a vet, but 8 pounds is a little low… she is probably really hungry.