One Cat is Eating the Other Cat’s Food
One of the most aggravating aspects of multiple-cat ownership is when one cat is eating the other cat’s food. There are several reasons that this happens.
The Instinct to Survive
The instinct to survive is embedded in the DNA of all living things. With some, it’s stronger than others. When your cat is eating the other cats’ food, it could be an expression of that instinct.
Some cats will actually fight over it, while others become submissive and move away, allowing the bullying cat to fill up on their food.
This doesn’t mean we are stuck with that behavior in our multiple-pet households, though it often feels that way. There are answers to the problem, though most of those answers require us as human caregivers to do something on a regular basis, and to be consistent.
Compulsive Overeater Cats
Related to the survival instinct is eating compulsively due to a fear of not having enough.
Habits Work in our Favor
Cats, in particular, are creatures of habit. Once we establish something that works, they usually fall into step with it. For instance, each morning, my wife and I make breakfast and eat in our living room, sitting on the couch and a recliner. Our cats wait until we have finished eating, and when we begin discussion of the day’s workload, one of our cats goes to my wife, who brushes him, and one of them comes to me (I allow her to knead me forever until she lies down and snuggles in for her morning nap). On days when this routine is broken, our cats walk around discombobulated to some extent. Our boy has even been known to express his frustration by piddling in the bathtub, something he only does when his routine is rudely interrupted.
The good news about this adherence to habit where it comes to our cats problem around the food, is that they will get used to, and even expect, any routine that we choose.
What’s Your Routine Right Now?
That said, we have the choice as to the routine or habit we decide to set. A few examples of routines:
1) We stand around watching for the bully piggy cat to make his move, and then we pounce (spray water, make a scary noise, etc.)
2) We put the food away that has not yet been eaten and come back home from work to feed them again, picking it up before we then leave for work.
3) We sadly separate our cats into different rooms for the time we are gone
Is this the kind of routine that makes for positive feelings around our cats? Not in my book! They may work, but just how much negative energy emits from us and expresses through us in other ways throughout our day?
The MeowSpace® — Relief at Last
The MeowSpace® is a fully protective enclosure with a selective access locking pet door, that keeps the food away from your bully cat, while also keeping your bully cat away from your other cat. Your other cat has either a magnetic collar tag, a radio frequency id collar tag (RFID), or an embedded microchip id that allows the door of the MeowSpace® to open for them as they enter, and locking behind them after they are inside. They eat in peace, and exit when they feel safe to do so.
The MeowSpace® Creates the New Routine
Your part in the new routine is to patiently train your other cat to use the MeowSpace® for its food. Once that’s done, all you do is place the food inside, and go off to work or play with no worries, no anger, no fat or starving cat to be concerned about. Your cats get used to this routine, and also get used to the extra softness in your voice and gentle energy.
