Cats only eat when I do

[heli07]

I adopted two cats at 8 months, they are now 1.5yrs siblings, male and female, these two are my babies, we always adopted older cats, so different needs.

They always seem happy, I work with night shifts and my dd is at college, they always want to sleep with me, are fed regularly, any ideas as to why they want me to watch them eat?

When I put the food down they will only eat when me or my daughter is in the room, despite seeming excited about food time, then if I don't stay they will leave, maybe eat enough to sustain them, they have plenty of water, have had regular vet visits, seen all ok.

Any ideas about more independent feeding?they are gorgeous friendly outgoing spayed cats but worry about them eating enough?

Have had many cats, this brother and sister are like my shadows that need reassurance about everything. They sleep with me and play with me, are they okay and eating enough? Sounds silly but I don't understand the whole eating thing and worry something is wrong?

i sometimes have to sit in the kitchen while my cat eats, If I move he wanders off and stops eating. Cat's are very odd.

He does eat his dry food overnight though.

One of mine can be like this, he was abandoned by his mum and we raised him from six weeks of age.

He's always been tiny for his age and he's not particularly food motivated either.

One of mine is like this at night, and he would wake me up so at night I put a few biscuits in my room for him and that does the trick. They want you to watch to protect them as they are vulnerable when they eat. You could try putting the food in a more secluded spot too

My cat wasn't abandoned by his mum in fact he was with her until he was 6 months old. He has always been strange about food though. He is also tiny for a tom cat. In fact the vet laughed at him and said he was like a lady cat. 😂

Two of my cats go into hibernation mode when I am absent and come to life when I get back.
Eating usually requires an audience, the litter tray is used when I am nearby and their preferred drinking recepticle in the bathroom is used when I am in there.
I think that you (and me) give them security and thus doing these activities where they are more vulnerable is preferred when you are there.

I do baby my cats, as they want affection and reassurance. Glad it's not just my cats and it's normal, with the food, I've just left the room and one of my two is yowling, as though I've left the county as he doesn't know where I've gone.

Cats are very unique and unpredictable, not always food motivated, I've adopted many cats, some that were not trusting and wary , slightly aggressive, until they trusted, which I understand, but they were still reasonably independent.

Just surprised these two are more like dogs and base their entire day on their humans, it's very unexpected but lovely, will need a rethink in what they both need, cats are most underrated, thank you all!

@heli07 cats can smell you up to 4 miles away they know exactly which room you are in - whether you are in the room they want you to be in is a different matter.

No advice, but I just wanted to say that they sound adorable 🥰

They do sound adorable. And yes, cats are hugely underrated!

Our late DBoycat was like this. He ate his meals with us particularly dinner. If he fancied a late night snack we would have to stay with him. I think it's a comfort thing.

One of my cats used to like it when I petted his head while he ate. My current girl loves Al fresco dining. They’re all weird.