How to tell if your Cat is Hungry?

Written by:

Scott Jeffrey
Scott Jeffrey

Author: Scott Jeffrey

Scott is a professional blogger with 12+ years of experience in writing, and holds an MA in anthropology. He has two cats as housemates. Also, Scott is passionate to research on pet-related topics such as dog training, puppy feeding, and cat health.

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Updated on: 07/21/2021

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If you are a cat owner, it’s very likely that at some point, you have asked the question of whether or not your cat is hungry. Cats will often display a series of habitual behaviors around mealtime and when they can be starving, they are often quite demanding. Recognizing the signs of hunger in your cat can help to make sure that you can prevent some of this behavior and that your cat can remain healthy over time.

Cats aren’t wholly as motivated by food as other animals like dogs. When they start to showcase the feelings of hunger all the time and start whining for food between feedings, this could point to a medical issue. Understanding why cats act hungry and why they may show this ongoing and persistent behavior may mean speaking to your veterinarian.

READ MORE: Cat Food Wet vs Dry

Signs Cat is Hungry

Some top signs that your cat is experiencing huge hunger might mean when they are crying for food at scheduled mealtimes. Cats generally like to feed around the same time every day, and they’ll know when it is time by the feeling in their stomach. Cats will often start to meow or cry and they can even look as though they are begging. A cat summit will tell it that it’s time to eat, and this often requires a human to feed them so they will spend time whining or bothering you until they are fed.

Cats can also sometimes jump up on the counter and exhibit food-stealing behavior. You may watch your cat regularly snatch a piece of chicken or even lick at items that you find at home. This can be a tough habit when start to get into it. A cat will be able to resist attempting treat, especially when it is hungry. Making sure that you can cover your food and avoid this temptation is important.

If you notice that your cat is regularly eating quickly or exhibiting behaviors like they are fighting for food, this could be a sign that it may be time to change your regular meals or even consider different portion sizes. If cats continues to eat ravenously even after you’ve adjusted their meals, this can be a sign of a medical concern.

Eating and vomiting are also quite common to see in many house cats. Cats can run into a number of digestive issues, including the formation of hairballs. When a hairball is passed, cats will often vomit food, which can cause them to become hungry directly after.

READ MORE: What shots do Cats need and How much do they cost

how to tell if my cat is hungryPhoto by Shubhankar Sharma on Unsplash

How often do house Cats get Hungry?

House cats often continue to experience their own meeting schedule. If your cat is continuing to cry for food and gaining weight, this is a sign that you should consider establishing regular meal times. If you continue to feed your cat more often they can become overweight and this can put them at risk for a wide range of medical issues. Joint issues, cancer, and diabetes can often be prevalent in pets that are classified as overweight.

Most have cats only require a quarter cup to a half cup of dry kibble each day depending on their activity level and the total amount of calories that can be found in your cat food. Choosing high-quality food can often keep a cat stated over a more extended time. Some cats can also prefer receiving a quarter cup of food in the evening and a quarter cup of food at night to refrain from being hungry throughout the day.

Younger cats and kittens may require a formula to achieve their nutritional goals. A kitten that is growing will often need more calories so that it can maximize its ability to grow and thrive.

Does a Cat meow when it is Hungry?

Cats are often seen as relatively quiet houseguests but when hunger is involved they can often be quite expressive. If you’ve been a pet owner, you may have noticed that your cat has a series of distinctive cries or meows when seeking attention for food. Cats that are exhibiting food-seeking behavior will often meow using a higher pitch. Cats that are meowing when they are hungry will often lead owners to their food bowl as well. Exhibiting this type of behavior can often show a pet owner that it is time for them to be fed.

Do Cats ever eat when they are not Hungry?

Most cats will be able to regulate themselves when they feel full or rationally the total quantity of food they have. Individual cats will not have the ability to control. If you notice that your cat is the type that eats their meal quickly as soon as it is put down, there’s a good chance that they may not be a good candidate for larger servings of food or for adopting a grazing method for their meals. Using a non-Mac theater or even a large hopper feeder could be a mistake if your cat eats extremely quickly when it’s hungry.

Younger cats will often eat with an unregulated passion as well. I don’t animals often find it easier to enjoy meal feeding or even a larger dish of food over the day. The younger cat will always have difficulty regulating its feeding. Choosing set meal times and measured amounts for these younger animals is often best to prevent weight gain. As kittens often need more calories per day, using a higher calorie food can often be a better way to ensure that your kitten can grow and so that it can manage its own food intake.

Why is my Cat so Hungry?

why is my cat so hungryPhoto by Volodymyr Tokar on Unsplash

If your cat is consistently hungry yet still losing weight, there are a series of ailments that could be affecting your pet. Some of these top ailments can include:

1. Hyperthyroidism

When a cat has an overactive thyroid gland, it can often make them consistently feel hungry. An ongoing blood test can be done by your vet to diagnose your cat.

2. Diabetes

When your cat isn’t producing insulin properly they won’t be able to use the sugar produced by digesting food for energy. Your cat will consistently feel hungry because it lacks the energy that it needs despite eating.

3. Intestinal parasites

Cats can occasionally get worms and other parasites from being outside. Medications can quickly read your cat of these parasites but you will need to receive a microscopic examination of your cat’s feces as done by a veterinarian. Fleeing heartworm medications contain anti-intestinal and deworming medication but this does not always protect your cat from all types of worms.

4. Cancer

If all other notices have been ruled out in your cat continues to be hungry and is not gaining weight, cancer could be the cause of this issue. On the other hand, a complete lack of appetite could be also a sign of cancer. Your veterinarian can recommend testing options as well as treatment options available to your cat in these cases.

5. Pregnancy sign

If you have a female cat that is not spayed and has been exposed to a male cat that has not been neutered and experiences ongoing hunger and weight gain, your cat could be pregnant. Ensuring that you can feed your cat a kitten formula will ensure that you can give her the calorie that she needs and sustain the kittens that she is growing.

Why is my Cat always so Hungry in the morning?

Even though most cats require a meal at least in the morning or the evening, most cats will get hungry in the even though most cats require a meal at least in the morning or the evening, most cats will get hungry in the morning as they age. Older cats typically can’t store food as well and they can get hungry much more often. Most cats will often prefer to eat little and often throughout the day, this is why it is often so crucial to feed them twice. If a cat doesn’t face any competition in the house from other cats, they don’t normally eat as much at one time. Several cats can often display competitive behavior which has them eating more throughout one sitting. As your cat continues to age, you may notice that they will be more demanding for food in the morning as this is generally the longest period that they may have to go without food. If an older cat is unable to store these calories more easily, this can often create a ravenous hunger after a good night’s rest.

If you are wondering why your cat always seems hungry or trying to break some improper habits in your pets, it could be important for you to use regulated feedings and keep a tight schedule on the times you are feeding your cat. Making sure to stick to a regulated casual and working to hone the ideal number of calories can help your cat lose weight and enjoy a better quality of life.

ThePets is an informational website that features articles written by qualified veterinarians and professional writers. You can learn more about our editorial process. When selecting food for your pet, use Pet Food Finder, and search for the clinic to treat your pet using Vet Clinics Locator.

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5 comments

Arthuron February 26, 2021

I have never owned a cat before so I’m still learning on the job, as it were. I was initially putting down food for him every morning and every night but noticed that he seemed to meow at me a lot in the middle of the day. Do cats beg for food? My cat is constantly hungry. I wondered whether he was hungry but really didn’t want to be overfeeding him. This article was a really helpful read to get to the bottom of what was going on. Thank you.

Reply

Christinaon April 04, 2021

I was always suspecting that Lucy was tricking us into feeding her more than it was necessary. This guide finally confirmed my thoughts exactly. Cats beg for food, and they know how to manipulate us into giving it to them. You cannot admire these fluffy little rascals enough, am I right? Anyway, now I understand why my cat is always begging for food, and I can tell the difference now whet it’s hunger or just greediness. Thanks!

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Jeremyon June 20, 2021

My cat is always begging for food, but I had no idea whether he was hungry or just greedy. I want to meet his nutritional needs but I don’t want him getting overweight and unhealthy. Thanks for the article, I think I have a better grasp over knowing when I have a hungry cat and when I have a greedy cat now.

Reply

judy bradyon September 03, 2021

four month old kittens
i made a mistake and hand fed the female how do i stop that
the male eats like he is starving and won’t leave his sisters food alone
i need some direction on feeding them when and do i put them in different rooms

Reply
    Anastasia Bilohub

    Anastasia Bilohubon September 03, 2021

    Hi Judy!

    I personally have three cats, and my oldest cat always tries to steal food from other cats. What I do personally:
    – never leave them alone,
    – supervise the feeding process and gently putting away the cat from the wrong bowl.
    For your male cat, as advised in the article, please consider checking him at the vet. Some health problems might make our kitties be always hungry.

    My oldest cat is a little overweight and is on a diet now, so he is trying to steal some food because we feed him for his ideal weight, not that he has at the moment.
    This recommendation is from Dr. Sara Ochoa

    Reply
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