{"id":44954,"date":"2019-03-14T14:54:00","date_gmt":"2019-03-14T14:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.webbox.co.uk\/?p=44954"},"modified":"2025-10-08T08:07:00","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T07:07:00","slug":"why-is-my-cat-always-hungry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.webboxpetfood.com\/au\/blog\/why-is-my-cat-always-hungry","title":{"rendered":"Why Is My Cat Always Hungry?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We all know that felines enjoy their food, but have you ever found yourself wondering why your cat is always hungry? As an owner, you know that a cat who refuses to eat requires a trip to the vet. But you may not know that if your cat is overeating there may be more than just weight gain to worry about. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your cat is constantly hungry all the time, it could be a sign of a serious health issue like hyperthyroidism<\/a><\/strong>, diabetes or cancer. This handy guide looks at possible causes of overeating, symptoms to look out for and what to do if you\u2019re concerned about your cat\u2019s feeding habits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your cat\u2019s diet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The key to identifying changes in your cat\u2019s behaviour around food is to establish and stick to a feeding routine. While there\u2019s no straightforward answer when it comes to the right amount to feed a feline, there are some guidelines to help avoid overfeeding. Generally, kittens need roughly twice the nutrients of adult cats to aid their growth and energy, but their stomachs can\u2019t handle large quantities of food. Ideally, kittens under six weeks should remain with their mother, before gradually being introduced to nutritious and high-quality wet food<\/a><\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At six weeks, a kitten should be eating four or more small portions at various intervals throughout the day. Once a kitten reaches 12 weeks, you can increase the size of each meal and space them out to three meals a day. After six months this should be reduced to twice daily. Unless a kitten is showing excessive weight gain that implies they\u2019re being overfed, they\u2019re considered an adult once they hit one year of age. Throughout their adulthood, cats can be fed twice daily, along with dry food left out to graze on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It\u2019s important to ensure that the food you\u2019re feeding your cat has the best nutritional value for their breed, lifestyle and health. While it\u2019s up to you when it comes to canned vs dry food, cats need protein, taurine, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, fatty acids and water to stay happy and healthy. If you\u2019ve found that your cat is always hungry and you\u2019re worried, check with your vet that your cat\u2019s food is meeting their nutritional needs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

If your cat’s constant hunger is due to boredom or habit rather than actual nutritional needs, offering low-calorie treats can be a satisfying alternative. These treats allow you to reward your feline without overfeeding. Explore our selection of tasty, guilt-free options in our Low Calorie Cat Treats<\/a> category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Your cat\u2019s behaviour<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your cat will display habitual behaviour around mealtimes, including wandering over to where their food is kept, meowing, and rubbing their tail against your legs. However, it\u2019s important to remember that cats aren\u2019t as motivated by food as dogs and shouldn\u2019t be excessively begging, acting hungry all the time or whining for food between meals. While keeping an eye on your cat\u2019s behaviour and monitoring how much they eat, you should look out for other signs that may point to an underlying problem, including: increased thirst, frequent urination, abnormal weight gain or loss, vomiting, and diarrhea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether it\u2019s due to psychological or physical health issues, it\u2019s essential that you discover the cause behind your cat\u2019s increased appetite as soon as you notice that they\u2019re overeating. Aside from any underlying issues, an increased appetite can have dangerous effects on your cat\u2019s health and wellbeing in the long term. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Causes of an increased appetite<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cats that are always hungry yet never gain weight may be suffering with an underlying disease or ailment. Some of the common causes of an increased appetite are: <\/p>\n\n\n\n