How to stop your cat eating too quickly

10th February 2020

When a cat eats quickly it can cause an upset stomach and they may bring up their food. Take a look at these top tips to encourage your cat to eat more slowly so that they lead a healthier lifestyle.

Install a SureFlap Microchip Cat Door

If the neighbour’s cat comes into your home, your cat might eat its food quickly because they’re afraid that it will be stolen by the intruder cat. A SureFlap Microchip Cat Door will keep intruder cats out. Once your cat realises its food bowl is safe from invaders, it may naturally eat in a slower, more relaxed way.

A solution for multi-cat homes

If you have more than one cat, your timid cats might eat their food quickly because they are worried about the dominant cats stealing it. Give each of your cats a SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder or a SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder Connect to put a stop to the food stealing. Your timid cats will soon realise their food is safe and may naturally slow their feeding habits.

Slow feeding bowl

Special bowls with bumps and ridges in the base slow your cat down while they are feeding because the obstructions in the bowl make it more difficult for them to reach the food. This manner of feeding can also be a good boredom breaker.

Put obstructions in their bowl

Place a golf bowl or similar obstruction in your cat’s food bowl. Whilst they’re eating, your cat will need to keep moving the obstruction out of the way, slowing them down as they eat. Whatever obstruction you decide to use, make sure that it’s of a large enough size that your cat won’t swallow it.

Hide cat food

If you feed your cat dry food, hide small amounts of it around the house. Not only will this stop your cat eating too quickly, but it will also encourage them to explore their natural instinct to hunt.

Turn feeding into a game

There are many toys on the market that dispense dry cat food as your cat plays with them. Again, this means that they will eat their food more slowly, but it also encourages them to exercise at the same time.

Squash wet cat food

If your cat eats wet cat food, squash it down into the bowl before serving it to them. They’ll have to lick the food, which causes them to ingest it slowly and prevent them eating large chunks of food in one go.

Dish out small meals

If you are at home most of the day, you could dish up small meals throughout the day, rather than bigger meals twice a day. Even if you’re out for most of the day, you could dish out your cat’s food gradually throughout the morning while you’re getting ready for work, and throughout the evening when you get home.

Add water

Bulk out your cat’s food with water. This works with dry food as well as wet food. The water will mean that it will take them longer to eat the food overall and towards the end of the meal, it will make them feel fuller, slowing down their feeding. This is also a great way to up their water intake, particularly if your cat is poorly or if the weather is hot and your cat requires extra hydration.