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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

Cat suddenly wont stop eating and trying to steal food/lick plates.

72 replies

SchroSawMargeryDaw · 12/04/2013 15:52

I have no idea what is going on with him, he's always been mad for treats (which we rarely give) but in the past month or 2 he wont stop eating and begging.

He mostly leaves the food that's in his bowl though but will happily eat the other 2 cats food, he opens the cupboard and rips open packets of food , we've caught him licking plates and tins and he is constantly begging.

He's quite thin (not underweight though), he became an outdoor cat about 9 months ago and lost some weight then.

He's driving us nuts but I have no idea what could be going on.

OP posts:

QueenOfCats · 12/04/2013 15:56

Worms?

pansyflimflam · 12/04/2013 15:59

Thyroid?

Original poster

SchroSawMargeryDaw · 12/04/2013 15:59

He's been wormed regularly and no worms in poo, I would have thought the other 2 would have got it as well if it was that?

OP posts:

Sparklingbrook · 12/04/2013 16:00

Sounds like it could be an overactive thyroid.

Original poster

SchroSawMargeryDaw · 12/04/2013 16:00

Hadn't thought of thyroid actually but he doesn't seem bothered by his own food, just every other item of food.

We've even caught him eating stuff like sour cream and curry. Not normal cat foods anyway.

OP posts:

Lucyellensmum95 · 12/04/2013 16:01

is he quite skittish? how is his fur?doesitlooka bit spikey? i'd get his thyroid checked

Original poster

SchroSawMargeryDaw · 12/04/2013 16:03

Behaviour wise, he's normal. He's a very active cat and is always on the go, very confident. His fur is normal and smooth.

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 12/04/2013 16:05

I'd have him to the vet, OP. Just for a check up.

Original poster

SchroSawMargeryDaw · 12/04/2013 16:06

I think I will, I really didn't think it would be a vet issue, I thought it was just a behavioural thing.

OP posts:

vitaminC · 12/04/2013 16:09

How old is he?
Has he been drinking more than usual, too, or just eating?

I would also take me to the vet, as if he's craving sweet things and losing weight whilst eating more, it could be diabetes (or a thyroid problem as other posters have mentioned)!

cozietoesie · 12/04/2013 16:13

Well there's the thing, Schro. Very often, changes in behaviour are a clue as to something not quite right with the cat. You get to know them so well that if they start behaving differently in some significant and unexplained way (pooing, eating, interacting, you name it) then that's something that vets, in my experience, take pretty seriously.

ppeatfruit · 12/04/2013 16:14

shrosaw Our cat did just the same when she was eating the normal cat biscuits with wheat|cereal in. We started giving her the felix no cereal pouch food and she calmed right down and is normal now try it. No visit to vet needed.

cozietoesie · 12/04/2013 16:14

PS - of course he could be absolutely fine and just a little imp!

But at least you'll have reassured yourself as to that.

LagomOchLyckaSwede · 12/04/2013 16:19

I agree with thyroid, one if our cats had an increased appetite (although lost weight) and urinated more (has that happened?) and also had an increased heart rate. It was hyperthyroidism and we gave him medication from the vet.

Maryz · 12/04/2013 16:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cozietoesie · 12/04/2013 16:26

But at least you know that now, Maryz.

ppeatfruit · 12/04/2013 16:27

As I said stop feeding him cereal, we also have a stray who was going bald and arthritic we stopped the cereal and lo and behold he's now fine all his hair has grown back and he's stopped limping (no vet visit) it can't be a coincidence can it?

Original poster

SchroSawMargeryDaw · 12/04/2013 16:31

He's 6, so not too old yet. :)

Not drinking or weeing more, just being a weird food gannit.

I will take him to the vet though, am just checking insurance policy just in case! (and got a lovely surprise that I have £70 cashback from taking out said insurance policy) :o

Maryz My actual fat cat barely eats, he just walks away from his bowl unless it's dry food and even when it is he hardly eats much, he's just massive though and always has been.

Ppeat They all get both mixed and dry and they get to just pick and choose.

Cozie Admittedly I hadn't really thought of this being a medical issue but I will take him to the vets as soon as I can to see about this.

OP posts:

Original poster

SchroSawMargeryDaw · 12/04/2013 16:33

He doesn't really eat much of the dry stuff as it is, mostly just his and the others soft stuff but will nick the dry stuff from the cupboard.

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 12/04/2013 16:34

6 is just a stripling!

It might well be purely behavioural - or as ppeat said - but if you have insurance, why not use it to reassure yourself.

Well done on the £70.

Original poster

SchroSawMargeryDaw · 12/04/2013 16:38

I think I will. :) Glad I have the insurance now!

Thanks for the advice.

OP posts:

Maryz · 12/04/2013 16:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LagomOchLyckaSwede · 12/04/2013 16:46

If opyou have insurance, then yes, go check it out. Better safe than sorry! Normally it's older cats with thyroid problems (ours, for example, was nineteen!) and if it's younger it might well just be behavioural.

cozietoesie · 12/04/2013 16:48

My vet just admires Seniorboy (which is OK by me) and we're both of a mind that while some things are needed (he had a full dental at 16 because his teeth were just 'orrible) there's not going to be any heroic treatment now. At 18, he can luxuriate on his electric blanket all day and enjoy life.

SqueakyCleanNameChange · 12/04/2013 16:49

I'd guess that the little old lady in the next road who'd been feeding him tinned salmon has moved house. Or the owner of the twin Siamese round the corner has finally got fed up with him breaking in and stealing their Iams and has fitted an electronic cat flap.

But check with vet anyway.

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