Feline Feeding Frenzy!

In the best of all possible worlds, mealtime should be a relaxing one for our cats. Unfortunately, there are cats that just become overly anxious in the presence of other cats and simply refuse to eat. Some even act out aggressively, which can result in food avoidance by "underling" cats in the household. While most cats feed comfortably in close proximity with one another, there are those occasional ones that due to their rank in the hierarchy of the cat family, become intimidated, and abdicate their place.

This unwillingness to feed may be the result of a "bully" cat who exhibits food aggression whose behavior is designed to run other cats away from the feeding area. The victims of these bullies may exhibit fearful behavior, and while they appear hungry as evidenced by their approach to the feeding area, their timidity results in withdrawal.

This is frustrating for both our "timid" felines and for us as cat caretakers, as these small predators cannot go without eating without serious implications for their health.

My lilac point Oriental Shorthair neuter, Hush Puppy, pictured above, is one of these cats. He will run to his food dish, carefully watching for any signs of less than inviting behavior from Hubble, his brother. If Hubble raises even an eyebrow in protest, he will immediately dash into the bedroom, jumping onto the bed, obviously agitated and frustrated.

So I "thought like a cat," by observing Hush Puppy's behavior, discovering that he felt quite safe in his own space on our bed. When I offered food to him in that location, he immediately began eating, therefore Hush Puppy gets his breakfast "in bed" without any further disruptions.

However, Puppy is one shrewd kitty. He scoped out the room thoroughly for an attractive alternative spot in which to dine in comfort, just in case Hubble changes his mind and wants to claim the bed as well. He has staked out the top shelf of one of our cat trees for which he is the sole user. I think he feels safe as he has a great view of the room and can monitor his brother's behavior for any signs of approaching conflict, quite easily.

Even though Hush Puppy appears to feel much safer and less threatened, he has developed a peculiar habit. He consistently leaves a small amount of food in his dish, which I wonder if he considers an offering for Hubble, our macho cat, as a peace offering or a feline "thank you" for leaving him alone.

Do you have any further suggestions to assist a nervous feeder? If you do, purrhaps other cats with a similar disposition to Hush Puppy's will find their feeding times more peaceful.