Feeding That Finicky Feline: Am I Spoiling Him?
I sometimes wonder if Hush Puppy, one of our cats, actually eavesdrops on the conversations my husband and I have when we decide where to go out for dinner. Our conversation revolves around which restaurant is most appealing to both of us. I think I have actually observed Hush Puppy checking out our discussion.
Now you may question my motives for gathering information and support from our readers who are feline fanatics, but trust me, I am about at my wit's end with one of our cat's very strange dining behaviors.
Hush Puppy curled up on the couch: Dining in style.
This highly adored kitty, our lilac point Oriental Shorthair has been known to be a picky eater but give me a break! Recently he has insisted in my feeding him in different locations around the house, ranging from a private little "grotto" in the living room, to "breakfast in bed" on our sofa. He even finds the top of his cat tree a desirable location for me to serve him up his favorite meal. No longer content with being fed upon a very attractive placemat with a most attractive feline design on the floor in front of the bathroom, while his brother, Hubble is feasting in the bathroom on top of the sink, (Hubble has a special diet so they need to be separated).
Puppy has me chasing him around the house to cater to his every wish. Sometimes he will begin eating in one location; only to finish it in a totally different spot. What is even more time consuming is his insistence for me to keep him company while he dines. He is driving me nuts, folks. I am beginning to have fantasies of donning a black dress with a little white lacey apron, and serving up his meals on Spode china dishes, offered up on a sterling silver tray.
Of course I am highly motivated to give into his whims because it is so important for cats to eat. Some people have suggested that I am spoiling him, only reinforcing this behavior and suggest that I just wait until he is good and hungry to motivate him to eat where and when I feed him.
But many folks don't understand that a cat should not go more than 24 hours without eating, because this puts cats at risk of developing a serious liver condition, hepatic lipidosis.
So I thought this would be a good time and place to air my concerns and seek advice about whether I am going overboard in an attempt to keep him healthy and well fed.
Would you be willing to become a feline "waiter" or "waitress" under such circumstances? How would you handle this problem? Please leave me a suggestion by commenting.
Recent Posts
Celebrating St. Patrick's Day with your Pets
WEEKLY CUDDLE CHAMPIONS: Monroe and Buckeye
Introducing Caplin: The World's Largest Rodent
Loyal Canine Rescues Drowning Kitty
Shakti: The Cat that Lived Up to her Name
"You're Fat": Vet Hits Me With Hard Truth
The Cat who Owns an R.V.: Luxurious Travel
Lazy Dog Owner Arrested for Walking His Dog
Petside: Get Started
-
- 2010 NCAA Mascot Tournament
Vote for your favorite pet mascots to determine the ultimate NCAA mascot champion!
-
- Find a Breed
Browse dog and cat breeds to find your perfect pal.
-
- Diagnose a Condition
Use PetVet to research what's ailing your pet.
-
- Locate a Hospital
- Find the nearest accredited animal hospital.
Specials
Check out these deals picked by petside.com just for you!
Comments (13)
Skylark August 3, 2009 5:33 PM
Yes, Jo, you are spoiling him, but isn't that what we're supposed to do? And you're absolutely right, we can't let cats go for more than 24 hours without eating. Many of us are more than willing to do anything and everything to ensure that our cats are getting the nutrition they need. It doesn't matter where they want to eat it, as long as they eat.
The newest cat to our home, Mr. Bigglesworth (a sealpoint Siamese with a definite attitude), will start to eat his dinner in the kitchen with the other two cats, and then he will walk to the guest room and sit there waiting for me to bring his food tray to him, close the door, and allow him to eat in peaceful solitude. Why does he do this? Who knows? Who knows why cats do ANYTHING?????
Vicki August 3, 2009 6:08 PM
Ummm, we seem to be sharing the same couch here. Tito, one of my Shih Tzu's started eating on my bed because he eats prescription food. Oscar, my other Shih Tzu thinks he is getting short changed, so I find both of them eating on my bed. OK, now I am totally embarrassed!
Donna August 3, 2009 6:19 PM
All of mine eat the same food...but Pirate gets more whenever he wants it. He's 15 and getting so thin...I worry lots about him. But his eyes are clear and coat is shiney. The vet wanted to do hundreds of dollars of tests on him, but I can't afford that. I'm just taking care of him best I know how, and when necessary, yes, I'll buy him whatever he wants to eat. :::grins:::
Iniki August 3, 2009 7:24 PM
You better be spoiling my nephews Jo. Don't make me thwapp you.
We all spoil our kids one way or the other. Although here it is every cat for himself when meal time arrives I do make two exceptions. We have a very cranky and dominent female that gets served sperately and a very submissive femlae that needs to be protected so she actually get something to eat. Both get special treats with their food if they start getting off their food.
Diana August 3, 2009 8:30 PM
I would say that giving Hush Puppy treats in different places it OK, but feeding him all over the house isn't. No matter how neatly he eats, there will be bits of food dropped which will attract vermin and eventually smell.
Jo, put the food where you want him to eat it. If he doesn't eat it, take t away after half an hour. Feed him there again in the evening. Again, leave the food down for half an hour, then pick it up. When he gets hungry enough, he'll eat.
Don't do anything for Hush Puppy you wouldn't do for Marty.
jmuhj August 3, 2009 9:15 PM
GIVE IN TO YOUR FANTASY, Jo. BUY THE UNIFORM. PUT IT ON. And by all means, CATER TO THE CAT. ;)
Ruth from England August 4, 2009 2:16 AM
It is our place as the lower species,always to serve our feline masters.We had one cat, Felix, who often insisted when he thought he wasn't getting enough attention,that he couldn't manage to eat by himself, and his human soul mate, my sis Babz, had to hand feed him bite by bite.On a Tuesday she worked all day and night and he always ate by himself.So we devised a saying for other days 'Pretend it's Tuesday Felix'and he would sometimes clear his plate lol
Our Ebony had diabetes which our vet treated with 'kick start the pancreas' pills and advised we feed her little and often,which was every 2 hours day and night.For 3 years we did that,always making sure someone was home with her and she did extremely well,eventually dying in her sleep at 17 years old, having had quality of life right until then.Sadly, our brilliant vet emigrated to New Zealand.So what I'm saying really Jo, is that nothing can be too much trouble to keep our precious furry ones well, so YES spoil your beautiful boy if that's what it takes !Thankfully our 2 boyz Walt and Jo are hale and healthy and eat well, but even they are sometimes a bit picky 'yuck, not THAT' and we trot obediently off to try another flavour. Imagine poor Fran,our friend/neighbour, 15 appetites and idiosincrasies(?) to cater for from Tyson aged 19 to Etty the newest arrival.
Oh well, are we all sane or are we all insane ? lol
Amy August 4, 2009 4:45 AM
Yep I too cater to one cat in particular because she has had urinary problems in the past. All my cats are on urinary tract dry food, and they all seems to like it. But I make sure that Missy a 5 year old gets a little special dinner of Fancy Feast every day. I divide the little can in two and she and her sister Tasha enjoy it very much. But she only eats the variety with chicken and that what I give her. What ever is left over which isn't much believe me I let the others finish. That way I make sure she maintains her weight and the also controls the weight of the other cats too.
Yep just call me the servant in the house. She is well worth it.
Reno August 4, 2009 6:21 AM
Yep, he's spoiled. LOL He has you well trained, too. :) I swear, if I believed in reincarnation, I'd want to come back as one of your kitties. :) And, yes, I would be willing to do whatever I needed to do to keep my kitties eating and happy. :)
Steff August 4, 2009 1:06 PM
I absolutely agree with Diana! Don't run after him with food. Spoiling our cats is fine and encouraging but playing little waitress is not!
Rani August 4, 2009 1:53 PM
Had to LOL over what Di said, don't do anything for Puppy that you wouldn't do for Marty! If Zabar's sold gourmet cat food, I can just see it....!
Seriously, though. We have an equally odd dynamic going on here. Rao and Baby eat dry food but also get 1/4 can of wet food as a treat every day. Rao sits down and chows it down. But here is the new thing: Baby daintily sniffs from a distance and then walks away. He will not eat within Rao's vision. Now if he doesn't eat it or only eats a bit, Rao will come over and eat Baby's share. It doesn't matter where, just matters that it be separate from Rao.
jo singer August 4, 2009 2:43 PM
I think I will don the fancy black dress with lacey white apron garb and continue catering to Puppy. It is far better he eats. I admit that being a cat servant is not that bad. But if Zabars was around the corner I bet I might be tempted to spoil Marty more often as well.
Betty August 13, 2009 10:04 AM
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Betty
http://dogfurniture.info
add your comment