If you have two or more cats you may find yourself in a situation where one cat steals the other's food. Have you noticed that one of your cats eats more than the other or does not let him eat? If so, it is possible that one of them eats more slowly or prefers to take small breaks while eating, situations that the other takes advantage of to steal the food.
In this article on our site we explain why your cat eats the other cat's food and what you can do about it, since that this situation can cause the cat that eats less to develop he alth problems.
Why is my cat eating the other cat's food?
Cats are special when it comes to eating. Normally, they do not like to be disturbed and prefer to eat quietly and without admirers. For this, it is recommended to offer them a calm and quiet place, completely away from the evacuation zone, that is, from the litter box.
That said, when several cats live in the same house it often happens that one cat eats the other's food. In this case, we must find out the reasons depending on each particular case. Thus, we review below the most common situations in which this may occur to explain what may be happening:
- If one of your cats has other food because he has other nutritional needs and eats, for example, neutered cat food, diet, food for sensitive cats, etc., it is likely that the "thief" likes this more specific food for the simple fact that it is different from his, because it has flavorings that make it more appetizing or because its taste is more exquisite and he doesn't like his.
- If you give them too much food and one cat eats more than the other, one cat may just eat the amount your body needs and the other eats more. In this case, the cat that steals the other's food is likely to be overweight or even obese and may show other symptoms such as binge eating and vomiting afterwards. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as the cat being stressed about something, bored, or sick. In this other article we explain "Why is your cat obsessed with food?".
- If both eat the same thing and are totally he althy, the reason why one cat eats the other cat's food is in the hierarchy. Cats that belong to the same social group establish complex hierarchies in which they can occupy different ranks or have different territories (which in a home can be objects, furniture, rooms…). This hierarchy, as we say, is very complex and can vary depending on many factors, such as the arrival of a new cat. In general, the hierarchy is usually established, mainly, by territorial issues, since cats are very territorial animals, but more aspects influence. Thus, it may be that one of them occupies a higher rank than the other and, therefore, can afford to steal the food he wants
- If you give them less food than they need, it is perfectly normal for the cat with a higher rank to steal the other's food. In this case, you will notice the opposite of the previous point, the cat that eats less will be thin, listless, tired…
- If they don't get along and generally compete for territory and resources, the weaker cat will be the one I ended up eating less. This happens when cats share everything, so it is important that each cat has its own things.
Although there is a hierarchy between cats, when both enjoy enough food they do not feel the need to compete with each other for this resource. The main problem lies in the lack of this resource in differentiation, which is why these are the most common causes.
What to do to prevent one cat from eating the other's food?
Whether your cat eats the other cat's food because he steals it or because the other cat leaves it, it's important Establish rules and a routineat me altime to avoid possible overeating or, conversely, a lack of nutrients. If one of your cats has special needs, such as a digestive disease, it is essential that he can eat his food calmly and not steal it.
Establish a routine and separate resources
The first thing you should know is that cats are animals that prefer to eat several times a day. Thus, you will have to identify the amount of food your cats need to divide it into several feedings. In this other article we explain how many times a cat eats.
Once you have identified the amount that each cat needs according to its age and level of activity, as well as the total daily intake, it is best to set a scheduleand be strict with him because cats hate changes, especially in their routine. Also, it is important that each cat has its own bowl because sharing it will make them compete with each other. If the cats get along and you have not identified that one is weaker or more submissive than the other, you can feed them at the same time and in the same room, but each cat in its own feeder.
While they eat, watch them from a distance to check the relationship between them and, above all, identify the cause that leads one of them to steal the other's food. If the problem was that they did not have a schedule or that they shared the food bowl, you will see that with these small changes the problem will end.
Rate the option of giving them the same food
If the cause is that one of them follows a special diet, consider whether you can feed both cats with the same food. For this, it is best to consult with the veterinarian because it will depend entirely on the type of food. For example, if what happens is that one of them must eat feed for sterilized cats, feed without grains or hypoallergenic, you can offer the same food to both. Now, if the special feed is to treat a he alth problem such as a disease or disorder, then it is best to move on to the next tip.
Feed them in separate rooms
When two cats don't get along, for whatever reason, it's hard to get them to eat in peace in the same room. Therefore, to prevent one cat from eating the other cat's food, it is best to feed them in completely separate rooms and even close the doors if you see it necessary
If there is a hierarchy between them, it is advisable to feed the cat with a higher social rank first to prevent him from feeling the need to take the food from the other. Again, setting a schedule is highly recommended.
Use a programmable feeder
Today there are feeders that can be programmed to automatically refill the bowl. There are even some that, through a chip that is placed on the cat's collar, fill the bowl when the animal approaches. Of course, this option is more expensive and does not usually solve the problem when the cats do not get along or one of them needs to follow a special diet.
In this video we talk more in depth about coexistence between cats:
What if an adult cat eats puppy food?
The difference between kitten food and adult cat food is the percentage of protein, fat and carbohydrates. Puppy food contains more fat because kittens are more active than adults and burn more energy. If you give an adult cat puppy food, it is very likely that he will gain weight, since he will not be able to burn all the fat that he has eaten in excess.
If an adult cat and a puppy live together in your house, it is important that you carefully control their food. Both the adult and the child should receive a diet appropriate to their age. In addition, puppies need special puppy food, with a different composition, to support their rapid rate of growth until around 12 months. To do this, make sure that both cats have two bowls and that neither cat steals the other's food.
