What to Do About a Speed Eater

Welcome to Sunday’s Cats.com Newsletter.

In this week’s newsletter, we’ll talk about why some cats scarf down their food too fast and what you can do to slow them down.

Read to the end for an update on fundraising efforts for Peachy. There’s still time to make a last-minute donation!

Bolting Food Can Be Dangerous.

When a cat bolts their food—eats it too quickly—it can result in regurgitation, vomiting, choking, or even long-term digestive issues. Cats that are free-fed may be prone to unhealthy weight gain and obesity when they eat too fast because they may not notice they’re full and keep right on eating. In multi-cat households, speed-eating related to food anxiety can exacerbate behavioral issues like food guarding.

• They’re sharing with other pets and anxious about getting enough food.
• They are bored or under stimulated and find the act of eating comforting. 
• They’re particularly fond of the food’s flavor and eat quickly simply because they love it.
• They aren’t getting enough calories and eat quickly because they’re so hungry.

• The Best Cat Food
• The Best Cat Litter
• The Best Cat Litter Boxes
• The Best Cat Insurance

While food bolting is often an instinctual or learned behavior, it can also be the result of a physical health problem.

Certain medical conditions can cause your cat to metabolize food abnormally fast, causing excessive hunger. Some examples include hyperthyroidism, Cushing’s disease, and diabetes. If your cat’s eating habits suddenly change, consult your vet to rule out a physical cause. Once health issues are ruled out, adjusting how you feed your cat can help slow them down.

Check below for some products to help you slow down mealtime.

Give This Budget-Friendly Slow-Feed Bowl a Try.

Some cats simply won’t be interested in expending extra effort to access their food, so it may not be practical to shell out for a pricey slow-feed bowl before you gauge your cat’s interest.

This budget-friendly option from Frisco features three fish-shaped obstacles inside to break up your cat’s meal and make them work to get to it. It holds about 1 ¼ cups of food, and it’s dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.

Make Your Cat Work for Their Food with This Puzzle Feeder.

If a slow-feed bowl doesn’t cut it for your cat, a puzzle feeder might be more effective. The Trixie Cat Activity Feeder prevents your cat from accessing their entire meal at once. Instead, they have to ferret the pieces out from various tubes and tunnels.

My cat Biscuit loved this puzzle feeder, but I found it a little tricky to clean. It may be ideal for resetting your cat’s eating habits before you transition to a more practical long-term solution like a slow-feed bowl.

• Frisco Fish Shaped Ridges Slow Feed Bowl
• Trixie Activity Strategy Game Tunnel Slow Feeder Cat Toy

Cats.com receives a commission on purchases made through this product recommendation. This helps us to continue our mission of giving you the best cat information on the web. Thank you for your support!

PEACHY NEEDS EMERGENCY CARE

All month we’ve been raising money for Peachy, a 3-month-old kitten who suffered a severe neck injury after being thrown from a car. With your help, we’re getting closer to our $2,000 goal. 

Peachy has already taken huge strides toward recovery, but she’s not out of the woods yet. She needs an MRI before the surgeon can go in and repair her spine. In spite of her painful condition, Peachy’s foster caregivers report that she’s eager to give affection and that she’ll be a great candidate for adoption when she’s well.  
 
There are only a few days left in Peachy’s campaign, but you can still make a difference for this sweet girl! Every dollar counts—Donate here.

A Sneak Peek At Tuesday’s mailer.

You’ve probably heard that one human year is equal to seven dog years, but how does it work for cats? In Tuesday’s mailer, we’ll discuss longevity in cats and answer the question, “How long do cats live?”