Does your cat constantly beg for food, even right after finishing a meal? If your cat is always hungry, they’re in good company!
Many cats are food-motivated, but that’s not a good reason to overfeed them, says Danielle Opetz, PhD, a companion animal nutritionist at Fromm Family Foods.
One possible explanation is that your cat is getting enough food, but not eating as often as they’d like. Experts recommend giving adult cats multiple small meals a day, with a minimum of two meals daily. Kittens need to eat more often—up to five times a day, depending on their age.
Your cat’s activity level, age, and weight can affect their appetite and how many calories they need in a day. A major change in your cat’s appetite could point to an underlying health condition, so if they suddenly become ravenous or lose interest in meals, it’s wise to check in with your vet so they can make sure everything’s all right.
Read on to explore the reasons behind your cat’s insatiable appetite, possible health-related causes, and tips to satisfy the hungriest of cats.
Reasons Behind Your Cat’s Hunger
Is your cat a bottomless pit? Here are five possible reasons they always seem hungry:
They just want to eat
Cats are opportunistic hunters and eaters. To put it simply, they hunt and eat whenever they can.
But satisfying your cat doesn’t mean giving them more food. Instead, you might try increasing the number of meals you give them each day.
“Cats really should be fed multiple meals throughout the day—as many as 12-20 small meals,” says board-certified veterinary nutritionist Donna Raditic.
That’s a lot of meals, but Raditic suggests trying automatic cat feeders to schedule and deliver your cat’s meals. You can place them in different areas around the house to help your cat feel like they’re hunting for their next meal, she says.
Their food doesn’t fill them up
The ingredients in your cat’s food can affect how full they feel directly after a meal and how long that feeling of fullness lasts. So, if your cat constantly wants to eat, the ingredients in their food may not be satisfying them.
Consider asking your vet if one of the following diet changes could help:
- Up the fibre. Dr Opetz says cat food with soluble fibres like those found in fruits, vegetables, and grains can keep your cat feeling fuller for longer. Soluble fibres absorb water and slow down digestion. Cat food ingredients high in soluble fibre include sweet potato, pumpkin, carrots, and barley.
- Look for complex carbs. Complex carbohydrates like whole corn, whole brown rice, and oats take longer to digest, which can help your cat feel full for longer after eating.
- Add water. Wet cat food is 75%-78% water, while dry kibble is only 10%-12% water. Wet food can help keep your cat hydrated and help them feel fuller while eating fewer calories.
They’re bored
People aren’t the only ones who eat out of boredom.
Next time your cat is meowing between meals, try one of these activities:
- offer cat grass for them to explore and chomp on
- break out an interactive wand toy for playtime
- offer catnip-filled toys or sprinkle catnip on the ground
- practise training cues
- create a cat haven with cat trees, shelves, perches, and scratching posts placed in areas near windows or with other interesting views
- fill a bird feeder outside a window for your cat to watch
Aim for at least two 15-minute interactive play sessions daily to keep your cat physically and mentally entertained.
Your cat might be very vocal or try to convince you they’re still hungry right after a meal, but that doesn’t truly mean they need more food, according to Dr Opetz.
Positive reinforcement
Your cat meows, they get a treat. They meow some more, and they get a small snack. If they continue meowing, perhaps they’ll get a meal. Sound familiar? If your cat has figured out that meowing will get them food, you might have unintentionally created a cycle of begging.
Dr Opetz recommends sticking to a schedule of timed feedings. Of course, treats are important for bonding and training, so use them strategically.
For example, rather than giving in to attention-seeking behaviours, try rewarding your cat with a treat after playing or when using the scratching post.
Health issues
Anytime you notice unusual or sudden changes in your pet’s appetite, it’s best to consult your vet, Dr Opetz says.
This becomes especially important if your cat is always hungry but losing weight.
Many health conditions can cause a change in appetite, from general pain to something more serious. Examples include:
- hormonal imbalances
- thyroid problems
- diabetes
- digestive disorders
Tips To Manage Your Cat’s Appetite
Cats are natural hunters motivated by food, but that doesn’t mean you should feed them constantly.
Instead, it’s best to give your cat portioned meals determined by their activity level, age, and weight.
The back of a cat food bag can provide general guidelines for portion sizes. However, working with your vet to calculate your cat’s daily caloric needs is the best approach to healthy feeding. Your vet can offer portion guidelines for your cat’s current weight, along with suggestions to help them lose or gain weight to reach their ideal size.
You can do a few things yourself to help manage your cat’s persistent demands for food, including:
- feeding your cat on a schedule
- offering several small meals a day
- providing a high-fibre, whole carbohydrate, or moist cat food
- playing with your cat at least twice a day for 15 minutes each
- providing lots of stimulation, like cat furniture to climb on and toys to ‘hunt’
- encouraging foraging at meal times by serving food in puzzle feeders
- rewarding your cat for wanted behaviours, like scratching appropriate surfaces
When To Ask A Vet About Your Cat’s Hunger
Cats may lose or gain interest in food for any number of reasons. Some of these reasons can be serious, so it’s important to talk to your vet if you notice any sudden changes in your cat’s appetite.
To help figure out what’s going on, your vet will ask questions about your cat’s health history and give a physical examination. They may also recommend some tests to rule out conditions like diabetes or thyroid problems.
Cat Hunger FAQs
Why does my cat act like they’re starving?
The most common reasons cats always seem hungry include:
- too few meals a day
- lack of a set feeding schedule
- food that isn’t filling
- boredom
- positive reinforcement of food-seeking behaviours
- health concerns
Is my cat begging for food or for attention?
If you’re giving your cat the right amount of food for their age, weight, and activity level spread across at least two meals daily, they’re likely getting enough food and are meowing for attention, Dr Opetz says.
If you don’t know how much your cat should eat or have any other concerns about their behaviour, your vet can offer more guidance.
Is it normal for a cat to want to eat all the time?
“It isn’t uncommon for cats to beg for food between scheduled meals,” Dr Opetz says.
But that doesn’t mean you should give in to their demands—quite the opposite, in fact! Giving your cat more food than they need could lead them to gain excess weight and develop heath issues over time. Instead of feeding your cat more food, try directing their attention to a toy or other enriching activity.
Should I free-feed my cat?
Dr Opetz recommends feeding healthy adult cats at least twice a day, 12 hours apart rather than free-feeding. This schedule aligns with their natural hunting patterns. Plus, free-feeding cats can lead to obesity, she says.
Why is my cat always hungry but losing weight?
If a cat is always hungry but losing weight, schedule a check-up with your vet. They could have an underlying health condition, like hyperthyroidism, intestinal parasites, cancer, or diabetes, according to Dr Opetz.
What are some healthy treats I can give my cat?
The best cat treats are meat-forward, low in calories, and easy to portion. For example, freeze-dried single-ingredient cat treats make great options. If your cat is on a strict diet, you can also give them a few pieces of their regular kibble as a treat. You can also offer cat grass as a low-calorie and stimulating option.
