Jeffrey Love
New member
I have two cats, one of which recently underwent surgery for a blocked urethra. In order to prevent further episodes which might exacerbate his FLUTD, the vet instructed me to feed him wet food -- specifically Hill's prescription food (C/D) -- for the rest of his life. He also mentioned that it would be safe to put my other cat on this diet as a preventative measure. I would also like to note that my cats understand the word "food" to mean "wet food" (and my reason for explaining this will become clear eventually), and my asking "Do you want food?" is always reciprocated with excited meows from them as they run to the kitchen, expecting a treat. (I was always told that cats should eat dry food and that wet should be a treat; now I've learned the complete opposite.)
The problem I'm facing is that both cats have gone from eating dry food any time they want, to getting one half can each, twice per day (sometimes one half can three times per day) as instructed by the vet. As this change in diet progressed, they've now begun waking me up at the crack of dawn by crying, begging for food; often chasing each other over me -- literally chasing each other up onto me as I lie in bed -- knowing it will wake me up to feed them. They've both taken to this behavior and will keep at it for hours until I finally roll out of bed. Needless to say, this interferes with my sleep schedule, and I'm considering buying a timed auto-feeder. However, today I've discovered that they are taking it one step further: I fed them their first meal (one half can each) and, unsatisfied by the portion, they've decided to sit right beside me and whine/beg throughout the day, whenever they feel they deserve a snack. This behavior did NOT exist before the dietary switch and it's been months in the making now. Honestly, they just ate three hours ago and they're already being bossy because they know I will eventually cave and feed them just to make it stop. I feel like I have a tantrum child in the terrible-twos -- where rewarding the behavior is only contributing to the problem, but ignoring their pleas makes me feel guilty and also does NOTHING to solve the problem, all the while keeping me from my work. I've tried keeping them out of the room while I sleep, but that stresses them out and only makes them howl all night to be let in, or worse... gets them scratching on the door.
How can I rid them of this new behavior, and is an auto-feeder really a good option for wet food? I love my cats dearly, but I work from home and the incessant whining continues for hours on end, making me want to leave just so I can't hear it ringing in my ears; I can't focus!
The problem I'm facing is that both cats have gone from eating dry food any time they want, to getting one half can each, twice per day (sometimes one half can three times per day) as instructed by the vet. As this change in diet progressed, they've now begun waking me up at the crack of dawn by crying, begging for food; often chasing each other over me -- literally chasing each other up onto me as I lie in bed -- knowing it will wake me up to feed them. They've both taken to this behavior and will keep at it for hours until I finally roll out of bed. Needless to say, this interferes with my sleep schedule, and I'm considering buying a timed auto-feeder. However, today I've discovered that they are taking it one step further: I fed them their first meal (one half can each) and, unsatisfied by the portion, they've decided to sit right beside me and whine/beg throughout the day, whenever they feel they deserve a snack. This behavior did NOT exist before the dietary switch and it's been months in the making now. Honestly, they just ate three hours ago and they're already being bossy because they know I will eventually cave and feed them just to make it stop. I feel like I have a tantrum child in the terrible-twos -- where rewarding the behavior is only contributing to the problem, but ignoring their pleas makes me feel guilty and also does NOTHING to solve the problem, all the while keeping me from my work. I've tried keeping them out of the room while I sleep, but that stresses them out and only makes them howl all night to be let in, or worse... gets them scratching on the door.
How can I rid them of this new behavior, and is an auto-feeder really a good option for wet food? I love my cats dearly, but I work from home and the incessant whining continues for hours on end, making me want to leave just so I can't hear it ringing in my ears; I can't focus!