![]() You can try slow cat feeder bowls that are shaped like mazes, making the cat work around the grooves and curves to get the food. Some automatic cat feeders have an ice pack below the bowl, to keep canned food fresh all day long-perfect not only for the “gulpers” in the house but also those kitties who just like being served fresh food multiple times per day (and who doesn’t?). However, for many reasons-including weight control and appetite monitoring-the automatic feeders that don’t have portion control are generally not recommended or appropriate for feeding most cats. Some of these, like the PetSafe Eatwell 5-meal automatic pet feeder, can be set to open on a schedule and feed small meals frequently-which often helps prevent the regurgitation. There are several types of automatic cat feeders that offer a feeding strategy that might be helpful. They will not work well for feeders that hold a large amount of food and replenish themselves automatically. If we are adding a second layer to the 9- by 13-inch baking pan strategy, larger balls such as tennis balls can be used. ![]() This should be something too large for kitty to eat, and maneuverable enough that they can push it around while trying to get at the food below it.Ĭommon items include ping pong and golf balls. Add an Obstacleįor cats that still eat too fast, however, or for those that do better with more traditional cat bowls, adding nonedible “obstacles” to the bowl can be helpful. Kitty must then take a bite-move along–take another bite-move along, markedly slowing the process from the typical GULP where half the bowl is eaten! Most of the time, this can slow the process down enough to resolve the problem. This will space the food out markedly, leaving plenty of gaps between the kibbles or the chunks of canned food. The first, and often simplest option, is to not use a typical cat food bowl, but instead spread the portion out on a 9- by 13-inch baking pan. However, if no diet changes are in the future, it is possible to reduce or stop the bouts of regurgitation. If it is always dry food, kitty may do better on canned, which also boasts a large number of health benefits and may be better in the long run. If it is always the same brand of cat treats, for example, perhaps a switch to a different brand is in order. How to Slow Down Your Cat’s EatingĪ good first step is to determine what is being regurgitated. That being said-if your pet regurgitates frequently or shows any additional sign, such as weight loss, a trip to your veterinarian is warranted. This is slightly different from the mechanism involved in cat vomiting, which can be a more concerning symptom. The brain does the logical thing: Too much food in? Let’s get rid of some, and the regurgitation reflex is triggered. But first, what triggers the reflex that leads to regurgitation? Kitty eats too quickly-especially dry cat food-which then absorbs water, swells and sends the memo to the brain that the animal has overeaten. The good news is that there are several ways to slow down a cat that’s eating too fast. How do we stop this cycle of cats eating too fast? A Cat That’s Eating Too Fast Might Regurgitate the Meal ![]() And then there’s the cleanup of the snack that now lies on the floor, looking completely undigested. Just about every cat owner has experienced excited meowing, the rubbing against your legs and the pleading stare-let’s face it, cats have a way of getting what they want! Unfortunately, sometimes when they get that worked up for a meal or treat, moments later, we’ll hear the familiar sound that sends us running for the paper towels.
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