Some cats eat their dinner in seconds, then bring half of it back up a few minutes later. Others gulp down their own food and then move on to their housemate's bowl. Eating too fast isn't just messy. It can lead to vomiting, weight gain and stress at mealtimes. This guide covers why some cats eat so quickly, when it's worth a vet check, and simple ways to slow things down.
Why do some cats eat so fast?
- They're very hungry at mealtimes. In the wild, cats eat many small meals a day, catching around ten small prey. A cat fed one or two big meals can be ravenous by dinner time.
- Competition. In homes with more than one cat, or a dog, some cats eat quickly to make sure they get their share, even if nobody is actually trying to take it.
- A history of going hungry. Cats rescued from the street or a shelter may have learned to eat fast whenever food appears.
- Boredom. Indoor cats with little else to do can make food the highlight of their day.
- They simply love their food. A very tasty food can be hard to resist.
When to see your vet
Sometimes a big appetite has a medical cause. Book a vet check if your cat:
- has suddenly started eating much faster or more than usual
- is losing weight despite eating well
- is drinking or weeing more
- is vomiting often, not just straight after a fast meal
An overactive thyroid, diabetes and intestinal worms can all make cats very hungry. An overactive thyroid is especially common in older cats. Keeping your cat up to date with worming is an easy first step. Our guide to treating worms in NZ explains how.
Problems caused by eating too fast
- "Scarf and barf". Cats that gulp their food often bring it back up soon after, usually as whole, undigested kibble.
- Weight gain. Fast eaters often finish before they feel full, then beg for more or raid other bowls.
- Stress at mealtimes, especially in multi-cat homes.
How to slow your cat down
- Feed smaller meals more often. Measure out your cat's daily amount, then split it into three or four small meals. This suits a cat's natural eating pattern much better than one or two big ones.
- Use a slow feeder or feeding mat. Ridges and mazes mean your cat has to work each piece out, which slows them right down.
- Turn meals into a hunt. Use a puzzle feeder, or hide small piles of kibble around the house for your cat to find.
- Spread wet food out thinly on a flat plate or feeding mat, rather than in a deep pile.
- Feed cats separately. Give each cat their own bowl in a different spot, or in separate rooms, so nobody feels they need to rush.
- Play before meals. Cats naturally hunt, catch, eat, groom and then sleep. A short play session with a toy before dinner follows that natural rhythm, and can help your cat feel more settled when they eat.
Slow feeders and puzzles we stock
Outward Hound Fishie Fun Feeder Mat. A fish-shaped feeding mat with ridges and mazes that make cats slow down. It works with wet or dry food, holds up to half a cup, and has a non-slip base.
Nina Ottosson Rainy Day Puzzle & Play. Cats bat pegs and swivel raindrops to uncover kibble in 14 hidden compartments. The difficulty can be adjusted as your cat learns. The Buggin' Out Puzzle & Play is a similar puzzle with 16 compartments and no removable parts.
Petstages Hunt 'N Swat Treat Tumbler. A wobbling, rolling treat dispenser with feathers. Fill it with part of your cat's kibble and they'll chase and bat it to earn every piece.
Toys for pre-dinner play. Lightweight toys like Petstages Straw-Babies and Spin & Scratch are perfect for a quick chase before mealtime.
Foods that help
Royal Canin Appetite Control Care. Designed to help control begging between meals in adult cats. Royal Canin reports over 90% of owners saw less begging within 4 weeks.
If your fast eater is also carrying extra weight, Hill's Science Diet Perfect Weight and ACANA Indoor Entrée are good options. Never put a cat on a crash diet, as losing weight too quickly can make cats seriously ill.
Royal Canin, Hill's and the feeders and toys above are ordered in especially for you, so allow a few extra days. Not sure what suits your cat? Call or pop into our Oxford store and we'll talk it through with you.
Find the right products for your cat
Browse our full range of dry cat food and cat treats, with delivery across New Zealand and click and collect from Oxford, North Canterbury. Or get in touch and tell us about your cat. We're happy to help you choose.
This article is general information, not veterinary advice. If your cat is unwell, see your vet.