|
Post by erylyo on Nov 5, 2018 14:04:40 GMT -5
Hi all, I'm really hoping someone can help and provide me with some advice. We have an oriental short hair kitten, born in June so just gone 5 months old. Since we brought him home he scavenges for food to the point where it is driving me mad. He always has kitten biscuits and water available all day and he's been having between 2 and 3 pouches of wet food daily. He's been wormed by the vet so I know that isn't the issue. He's shown curiosity at the food we give our other animals (rabbits and parrot) and will try and eat their food which I realise is him just being inquisitive. But when we have our meals so will desperately try to get at the plate. I have consistently been firm with my tone of voice using 'no' loudly every time he's tries but this is having no effect at all. Even if you have a snack (crisps, fruit, ANYTHING) he will try to get at it. And now he is able to get on the work surfaces I've caught him on numerous occasions taking food and trying to get in the bins. We have tried feeding him while we have our meals to distract him but as soon as he has finished his own he's back to scavenging. We have resulted in locking him out of the kitchen and dining room at meal times when he will cry and claw at the door. The breeder we purchased from kept the kittens in a specific room, does anyone think he has previously been left hungry competing with his siblings and that's caused the behaviour? Or whether him not mingling amongst the family as a baby makes human meal times more of a novelty.
Any advice to deter behaviour welcomed. I have always had cats and never encountered scavenging this severe.
|
|
|
Post by Angel Macy on Nov 5, 2018 14:52:43 GMT -5
We were and are still having this issue with our kitten Hershey, that is 6 months old. We found as she gets older it does seem to abate a bit, but we have resorted to making her a dish of people food that she likes, or a small dish of cat treats that she can eat while we are eating. Recently we have purchased an auto laser toy that runs on its own and start it up at dinner time. It doesn't stop her completely, but it does catch her attention and she will play with it more than begging for food at dinner time.
|
|
|
Post by Twinkle (My Sweet Angel) on Nov 5, 2018 14:58:03 GMT -5
If you are sure it's not worms, then it could be:
Hyperthyroidism or diabetes among a few other things. I think bloodwork is in order to rule out any health issues. Perhaps the food he's eating isn't meeting his nutritional needs or you aren't feeding him enough. I've always free fed Twinkle since cats tend to graze many times a day. Dry food is always out for her 24/7. Perhaps you might consider buying a treat ball to make him work for his food and/or play with him more. He could also be doing this out of boredom so get him some toys & play with him.
|
|
|
Post by Sterling on Nov 5, 2018 15:08:02 GMT -5
You did say the vet wormed him -- did he also check for tapeworm?
It could possibly be that being with other kittens all competing for food makes him think he needs to eat everything in sight to get his fair share. Does he eat the kitten biscuits you leave out all day? Maybe try a different brand. If his tummy is full he should be content and not desperately searching for food. I don't know what else could be causing this. He may just need to be more socially orientated if the breeder kept the kittens in a room and never had much contact. Continue to tell him no when he tries to steal your snacks and crate him during your mealtime and hope that he will eventually settle down.
|
|
|
Post by erylyo on Nov 5, 2018 16:05:02 GMT -5
I'm glad we're not the only one with this issue. I may look into buying something similar if this has helped with your kitty! Thank you for responding!! X We were and are still having this issue with our kitten Hershey, that is 6 months old. We found as she gets older it does seem to abate a bit, but we have resorted to making her a dish of people food that she likes, or a small dish of cat treats that she can eat while we are eating. Recently we have purchased an auto laser toy that runs on its own and start it up at dinner time. It doesn't stop her completely, but it does catch her attention and she will play with it more than begging for food at dinner time.
|
|
|
Post by erylyo on Nov 5, 2018 16:09:18 GMT -5
Thank you for your advice! I may have a chat with my vet and look into this because it's becoming unbearable! In his conquest for food this evening he's knocked glass bottles over in the kitchen and smashed them, so he's a risk to himself too! He does eat all of his biscuits and meat so he can't be hungry (he has James wellbeloved meat and iams biscuits), he also gets chicken breast while he have our food. We do have playtime with him all the time were at home but a treat ball is a good idea and I'll try this. If you are sure it's not worms, then it could be:
Hyperthyroidism or diabetes among a few other things. I think bloodwork is in order to rule out any health issues. Perhaps the food he's eating isn't meeting his nutritional needs or you aren't feeding him enough. I've always free fed Twinkle since cats tend to graze many times a day. Dry food is always out for her 24/7. Perhaps you might consider buying a treat ball to make him work for his food and/or play with him more. He could also be doing this out of boredom so get him some toys & play with him.
|
|
|
Post by erylyo on Nov 5, 2018 16:11:51 GMT -5
Yes he was treated for both worms and tapeworm, the vet did say the tapeworm medication would last for 6 months. Thank you for your advice! We will continue persevering and hope things improve. We love him to bits but it's a struggle with such an undesirable trait and wouldn't be pleasant for friends or family eating with us. I didn't think about a crate at mealtimes but this is something I'm going to give ago x You did say the vet wormed him -- did he also check for tapeworm?
It could possibly be that being with other kittens all competing for food makes him think he needs to eat everything in sight to get his fair share. Does he eat the kitten biscuits you leave out all day? Maybe try a different brand. If his tummy is full he should be content and not desperately searching for food. I don't know what else could be causing this. He may just need to be more socially orientated if the breeder kept the kittens in a room and never had much contact. Continue to tell him no when he tries to steal your snacks and crate him during your mealtime and hope that he will eventually settle down.
|
|