So we are looking after our next door neighbours two young cats and have been doing so since Monday. Under instructions, we go in once a day in the late afternoon and top up dry food, put out a pouch of wet food between the two, top up water and check the litter trays. The cats go outside and have one of those microchipped cat flaps and are locked in overnight after a certain time.
Now the issue: today we went in and all the dry food had gone. Two quite full bowls. Most of the water was drunk too. The cats came racing inside when they realised we were there and were meowing loudly and trying to get their heads in the pouches of wet food while we were dispensing them. The cats looked fine otherwise. They usually eat the wet and basically nibble a small amount of dry food. Plus the litter trays had a good few poos in. Again usually they don't use them as they can go outside all day. But previously, when we've looked after them, they've had the odd dump in the trays.
So they ate waaaay more than usual and looked extremely hungry and desperate for food.
Is this normal? I'm a dog owner and have limited cat experience. I don't want to text the neighbours as they are abroad and I don't want to unduly worry them.
Thoughts from people who have cats as overlords please?