Have you ever ever thought, “Why is my cat all the time hungry?” You’re not alone. As a cat guardian, you already know that a cat who won’t eat for a day or so means a visit to the vet. But did you already know that a cat who’s all the time hungry could be a sign of health problems, each physical and psychological? Listed below are some answers to the query, “Why is my cat all the time hungry?”
A cat who’s all the time hungry may need roundworms. Photography by Katerina Maksymenko | Shutterstock.
1. Your cat has worms
Is your cat all the time hungry? Roundworms can mean a cat who’s all the time hungry, since the worms are taking all of the nutrition from his food before he can get it. Paradoxically, a roundworm-infested cat may look fat, because the parasites cause his body to swell.
Roundworms are contagious to humans, so for those who suspect your cat has them, bring a fecal sample to your vet to have it tested.
2. Your cat has hyperthyroidism or diabetes
These diseases each cause an enormous increase in appetite: hyperthyroidism does so because your cat’s metabolism is burning too many calories, and diabetes because your cat’s body can’t convert sugar to energy — and the nutrition doesn’t even get into his body in the primary place. In case your cat is all the time hungry, eating consistently and still losing a few pounds, and particularly if he’s also drinking a variety of water, get him to the vet as soon as possible.
A cat who won’t stop eating might just be bored or hungry. Photography ©Svetlanais | Thinkstock.
3. Your cat is bored or lonely
A straightforward answer to, “Why is my cat all the time hungry?” Identical to humans, some cats will eat because they’re bored. The answer to this problem is to offer your cat with more stimulation and to stop leaving kibble out for him to munch on, or free feeding him, all day. If you wish to have a supply of food available, provide it in puzzle toys, which is able to make your cat work for his meal. This can help him burn calories and keep his mind engaged.
Remember to provide other intellectually-stimulating toys (or perhaps even a kitty friend) to maintain his mind off his dish. You can even buy automatic feeders, which give access to a set amount of food at set times of day.
4. Your cat is depressed
Is your cat all the time hungry? As in humans, overeating could be a self-soothing behavior for cats who’re depressed or grieving. I’ve seen this occur: I once met a pair who had a cat they’d exiled to the basement after their baby was born. In response, the cat began eating to self-soothe, and the result was incredibly sad.
In case your cat is depressed, try drawing him out of his shell with gentle interactive play. Give him “love blinks” — close your eyes slowly, leave them closed for a second, after which open them slowly, while pondering “I really like you.”
5. Your cat’s food isn’t meeting his dietary needs
how if you eat fast food, you’re normally hungry an hour later irrespective of how much you ate? Unsurprisingly, one other answer to, “Why is my cat all the time hungry?” is that poor-quality cat food can have the identical effect in your cat. And like a one who eats a variety of fast food or who can only afford starchy foods, your cat will eat and eat because he can’t satisfy the true hunger (for nutrients) at the basis of his desire to eat.
One other thing to recollect when wondering, “Why is my cat all the time hungry?”
Cats’ stomachs are extremely small: a few tablespoons of canned or raw food or (not and) a 3rd of a cup of kibble per feeding is about all a cat needs to remain fit and healthy. After all, in case your cat is a 20-pound Maine Coon, he’ll need rather a lot more food than a petite Singapura, so make sure you work along with your vet to determine probably the most appropriate amount to feed your feline friend.
Tell us: Is your cat all the time hungry? How did you solve the problem?
This piece was originally published in 2015.
Thumbnail: Photography ©Ukususha | Thinkstock.
Are YOU all the time hungry, even after you eat? Listed below are just a few the reason why >>
