While some cats can be incredibly fussy with their food, others seem to be obsessed with it. Does your cat know the sound of the treat cupboard door? Or every time you reach for the fridge handle does he appear obediently by your feet? Some cats certainly do love their grub, and when confronted with an adoring set of eyes and a convincing meow, it can be hard to say no! This routine may be very endearing and strengthen the bond between you and your cat, but constant snacking can have more serious consequences if it leads to unwanted weight gain and ultimately obesity.
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If this sounds all too familiar, a diet which is nutritionally complete and specially designed to help control begging might sound very interesting. Royal Canin have recently launched a new strapline for their Appetite Control Care diet, claiming that ‘over 90% of owners reported controlled begging behaviour between meals after just 4 weeks’. But is it that simple? Is any diet really capable of stopping cats from begging?
Why do cats beg?
There are several reasons why cats may beg for food, and it’s important to rule out the medical causes before you assume it is a behavioural routine.
Medical reasons
Hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland), diabetes and internal parasites can all cause your cat to be excessively hungry. These conditions are often accompanied by other signs such as weight loss, excessive thirst, and excessive urination. Severe dental disease can also sometimes cause begging; if their mouth is too painful to eat much, they may beg for food due to genuine hunger, but then refuse to eat much of it when offered. Do check with your vet to rule these causes out initially.
Under feeding
Although rare in well-loved pets, your cat might be begging because they just aren’t being fed enough. Check you are feeding a good quality food, in the correct amount for their specific age, breed, size and life stage (very active cats, kittens and pregnant cats will need a higher calorie intake than a quiet, older cat for example).
Attention seeking behaviour / boredom
Cats are clever, it doesn’t take long to realise that rubbing up against your legs and purring leads to a nice cuddle, and if done next to the fridge, often a little goodie too. If this learned behaviour gets rewarded, it can become more persistent over time.
Greediness
Some cats are inherently more greedy than others and they might grab any opportunity they can for a treat. It is thought these cats don’t get the feeling of fullness (satiety) as easily as non-greedy cats.
Why should we care?
Excessive begging can easily lead to an increased calorie intake, weight gain and eventually obesity. Obesity in our pets is a growing problem – it is estimated that 39% to 52% of cats are now classified as ‘overweight’ or ‘obese’.
Obesity can have serious consequences for your cat’s health:
- Greater risk of developing many diseases:
- diabetes mellitus
- pancreatitis
- liver problems
- feline lower urinary disease
- osteoarthritis
- skin problems
- Reduced ability to exercise, play, climb trees etc, impacting their quality of life
- Reduced ability to groom effectively, so fur matting and hygiene can become a problem
How do I know my cat is a healthy weight?
Vets use a Body Condition Score system to assess the ideal bodyweight of our pets. There are several available, but commonly a score out of 9 is used:
- 1 – 2 out of 9 = emaciated
- 3 – 4 out of 9 = underweight
- 5 out of 9 = ideal
- 6 – 7 out of 9 = overweight
- 8 – 9 out of 9 = obese
At an ideal weight, your cat should look in good proportion, you should be able to feel their ribs with gentle pressure over their chest, and they should have a waist that dips in slightly behind their ribs.
How can diet help with begging?
Special diets have been formulated to try and achieve satiety – the theory being if they feel full, then cats are less likely to beg. Royal Canin’s Appetite Control Care is one such diet, and a new study revealed that over 90% of owners reported a reduction in begging behaviour after just 4 weeks of eating this food. This study was conducted by Royal Canin themselves, and their claim has yet to be independently assessed, but the results are certainly encouraging. It is formulated with a high protein and moderate fat content to help maintain a healthy bodyweight, and contains a specific blend of soluble and insoluble dietary fibres which promotes satiety, therefore reducing begging behaviour.
Boredom can also play a part in begging. Slowing down their eating with interactive feeders can help, and ensuring your cat has enough mental stimulation by using interactive games and toys can serve as a good distraction from food.
If a treat really is the only solution, then try to take kibble out of their daily meal allowance; if they end up having lots of snacks, then they will end up with a smaller meal size but their daily calorie count will still be the same.So if your cat begs for food occasionally, he is fit, healthy and maintains an ideal bodyweight, then the begging is not a problem. However, if the behaviour is incessant and is leading to unwanted weight gain, you should look at ways to reduce it. Consider all the possible underlying causes and get advice from your vet if there are any medical concerns, either as a cause or a consequence of the begging.
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