As with humans, cats can suffer from eating disorders. If we distinguish three main forms, you should know that this type of disorder is often associated with stress, boredom, depression, or even a more or less serious disease. In either case, the eating disorder should not be allowed to take hold, as the consequences can be serious. In this file, we will assess the major eating disorders that cats face, their potential causes, and the solutions that need to be put in place to treat them.
greed
Not all cats are created equal when it comes to food management. In fact, most cats know how to manage their food intake well, and are content with eating small portions to satiate their hunger when it arises, and that is, throughout the day.
Others, on the other hand, struggle to restrain themselves and can swallow their bowl whole at once, even if it means vomiting, for fear of running out. Some even ask to eat all day, as if it was impossible to satiate them. Then we speak, in these last two cases, of omnivorous behavior.
What are the reasons?
Bulimia can have many origins. She can testify to boredom, stress, poor diet (poor quality or too large quantities), competition with another cat during meals, hyperactivity, depression, etc. But whatever its interpretation, bulimia should not settle without provoking a reaction in the master. It is indeed necessary to consult a veterinarian to come up with a suitable solution.
What to do?
Bulimia is an eating disorder that can cause significant weight gain in cats and promote excessive weight growth and obesity. However, these diseases should not be neglected, because they contribute to the development of other diseases, such as diabetes, liver disorders, digestive disorders, hyperthyroidism, etc.
It is therefore important to establish good eating habits for cats from an early age. They must be provided with good quality, nutritious and satiating foods that respect their needs.
Bulimia is developed in an animal that seeks to compensate for the deficiency or malaise through food. It is therefore important to determine the cause of its occurrence in order to treat it effectively.
Talk to your vet for follow-up and solutions that adapt your animal to its needs.
Anorexia
Anorexia is an eating disorder characterized by bowl rejection. Unlike bulimia, the cat shrugs or ignores it and no longer eats enough, which leads to weight loss. This nutritional deficiency often causes apathy in the animal, which then becomes more tired, lacks enthusiasm and reactivity, and sleeps a lot. Some cats even become depressed.
What are the reasons?
Anorexia can have many causes, some of which are common with bulimia. In fact, this type of behavioral disorder can develop in stressed, poorly fed, and bored cats that suffer from separation anxiety and loneliness. But anorexia is also observed in cats with kidney failure, mouth pain, some types of cancer, etc.
What to do?
Again, it is important to consult your vet quickly. It is necessary to be able to determine the factor in question in order to treat it, this will be the only way to combat anorexia. Following up on cat behaviors can also help restore good eating habits. It is also essential to provide your child with a high-quality, nutritious diet that meets their needs.
In any case, if the animal has a total loss of appetite, that is, when it has not eaten at all for more than 72 hours, it is necessary to go to the vet. It is therefore a vital emergency.
Pica
Pica is a very special eating disorder. An infected cat tends to eat a whole bunch of inedible things. Thus, it can swallow droppings, pieces of plastic, stones, pieces of cloth, etc.
What are the reasons?
Pica can have many origins. Generally, a vet will first look to see if a cat has a nutritional deficiency that might prompt him to swallow anything to satisfy his hunger, if he has intestinal parasites, or even a brain tumor. If this is not the case, then the cause may be a psychological disorder (boredom, depression, stress, anxiety, etc.). Pica has also been observed more frequently in kittens that were separated early from their mother. Since they are not fully educated in cat symbols, they have proven to be unable to manage certain emotions and will be inclined to develop pica.
Sometimes, Becca simply appears as a cat who is disruptive in her routine (moving a house, death of a loved one, the arrival of a new baby or new animal in the house, etc.) and who struggles to manage this disruption in his daily life.
What to do?
The pika should be taken seriously, because the animal endangers its health. In fact, he could swallow something dangerous, potentially suffocating, poisonous, capable of blocking his intestines or even puncturing his organs. So the risk is great.
Consult your veterinarian without delay in order to check the health of the cat and establish good habits as soon as possible.
lactating cat
The cat is breastfed by its mother to feed on her milk until weaned. This is completely normal and normal behaviour. However, it can persist in adult cats, causing the animal to suckle a piece of cloth or a cloth object while kneading the surface of its paws.
What are the reasons?
In most cases, the cat-baby phenomenon is found in Tom kittens who have been separated from their mother early or have not been properly weaned. Some anxious cats also tend to feel some relief in the sucking motion, such as a small child.
What to do?
Be that as it may, there is nothing dangerous about the phenomenon of a nursing cat. You just have to make sure that the cat does not suck on a cloth that he might inadvertently swallow. If this behavior disturbs his master, it is possible to gently push him away when he does so, especially as he suckles his master’s clothes and takes the opportunity to knead his stomach, which is not always pleasant. However, do not worry, there is no danger!
Some tips to reduce eating disorders
If your cat has an eating disorder or to avoid any risk of developing it, here are some simple tips to put in place.
- Offer your cat a high-quality, healthy, balanced diet that respects her needs. It is best to buy it from your vet or pet store and avoid supermarket products. Admittedly, these are cheaper to buy and easily accessible, but they consist of poor quality ingredients and promote the development of deficiencies – and thus diseases. In addition, it is not very full. Thus, by choosing good quality food, the cat master will have to buy fewer containers and pay less for veterinary care, which in the end turns out to be more economical!
- Feed your cat at regular times, dividing his daily ration into several meals.
- Avoid feeding your kitten outside of meals.
- Offer stimulating toys to distribute food to diversify the pleasures and encourage movement and thinking about eating.
- Make time for your pet every day to play and cuddle. You will be able to entertain him, let him exert himself and reduce suffering from boredom. It will even help reduce stress.
- Stimulate your pet at every opportunity. Games, hunting, and hide and seek… There are many solutions on his mind.