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my cat literally stands over his FULL food bowl asking for food. it’s a cat thing
Don’t have a cat, but googled and here are the two options: cat feels hungry because of Hyperthyroidism, cat is bored.
You’re feeding him far too much and pure carbs. Use wet food, half a tin in the morning and half at night with a few dry crunches on top. He will always ask for more because that’s what pets do.
Chief
This! Wet food, can in the morning and one in the evening and back down from there. More protein, less hunger, your cat will lose weight.
Enthusiast
Cats are jerks and wants to annoy you. It’s fine.
My cat gets 1/4 a cup twice a day. She will cry over her empty bowl the rest of the day. Sorry kitty, I never budge.
Chief
Your cat is just a fatass with an eating disorder. You aren't starving him.
Please look at the calorie suggestion on your food (or talk to your vet) before taking advice from anyone about whether you are giving your cat too much (or too little!) food. Foods differ in both nutrient and calorie density.
Start by calculating how much of the food you feed your cat is required for your cats weight. Then adjust upwards or downwards depending on whether your cat needs to lose, gain, or maintain weight. Often, higher quality foods are higher calorie, so animals might gain a lot of weight if they are suddenly put on a higher quality food without adjusting the amount. If your cat is still pretty new and you started a new food, it could be he is used to eating more of a lower calorie food - he should adjust, or you could switch to a lower calorie food.
That said - agree with everyone who said to consider wet food, especially for male cats, and to talk to your vet. :)
Also agree that cats are jerks. My cat gets wet food morning and night and unlimited kibble (both in a bowl and a puzzle feeder) and she still begs for wet food even when there’s FRESH wet food in her dish. When I get out a new can, it’s like she hasn’t seen food for days.
Enthusiast
That’s literally more calories than I feed my two cats combined and my vet still said they could lose a little weight 😳
Try wet food with a high protein content (cats aren’t evolved to eat carbs anyways and most dry foods are high carb). It’s usually less calorie dense and most cats prefer it.
He’s begging for food because you feed him 3 times a day. Begging is really working or him! Feed him once a day and stick to it. Also switch to diet food. Give him lots of distracting fun things to do that aren’t food.
Might be a thyroid issue, but as others have said, kitty will probably fare better on an all wet-food diet. Cats, unlike dogs, are obligate carnivores and dry food is not great for them. If you have a male cat, dry food is more likely to contribute to urinary issues (i.e. kitty kidney stones) due to their longer urethras, which are fatal if not surgically removed. Source: some really expensive vet bills
Beware though - any wet food that advertises that it contains veggies and the like does nothing for your feline.
https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/bladder-and-kidney-stones
Enthusiast
Please talk to a vet, I feel like you’re getting some misinformed advice in this thread. My cat is only 8 pounds and just under 1/2 cup food is what the vet recommended, so the amount you’re describing doesn’t necessarily sound off to me. Again, I don’t personally know the right proportion for your cat but I think a vet discussion is in order here.
Enthusiast
Under 1/2 cup vs 3/4 cup is a huge difference for a cat though. That’s like the difference between a human eating under 2000 calories a day vs 3000 calories a day. I agree talking to a vet is probably best though.
I use 1/4 cup twice from feeder and he gets bits and pieces when I have lunch and dinner. Weight is around 14 lbs. you can use water to control their attitude. Whatever you set expectations they will follow that. If you give more food she will demand more. Eventually she will blow up like balloon and health problems will be knowing on the door.
Enthusiast
I would also suggest cat toys or getting him a playmate. My female cat is much more active since I got her brother. They chase each other all evening. I have tons of cat toys and tunnels and I also actively play with them. They have food out all day/night but neither is overweight.