• Aggravationstation@feddit.uk
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    17
    ·
    3 days ago

    My cat hurt his leg and was limping for a while. I thought it was taking a long time to heal and eventually realised that he was still limping in front of me and walking normally when he thought nobody could see him, I’m guessing on the off chance that people would feel sorry for him and give him food.

    • JayDee@lemmy.sdf.org
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      38
      ·
      4 days ago

      It is possible that this is a grazer cat that gets one meal a day ON TOP of constantly having open access to dry food. I’ve known several owners that do that.

      • Maalus@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        3 days ago

        Yea and giving dry food and especially leaving it out for the cat for the entire day is bad for it.

        • JayDee@lemmy.sdf.org
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          2
          ·
          3 days ago

          It is dependent on your cat. You need to know whether your cat is food-anxious or not before doing this kind of diet format.

          Quite often cats have food anxiety, often from periods of food competition or just food scarcity. These food-anxious cats will eat all the dry-food in the bowl immediately. Some cats are so food-anxious, that they will eat to the point of vomiting, then continue eating after vomiting.

          Grazer cats are not food-anxious, and will usually take small nibbles from the dry-food throughout the day. These cats are usually given one meal during the day to meet nutritional needs that their dry food may not provide. I’ve met these cats before, and they are able to stay a healthy weight without any negative health effects.

          • Maalus@lemmy.world
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            1
            ·
            3 days ago

            Dry food is bad for a cat’s kidneys. Wet food only is the best diet for them, but people don’t like the smell, the mess or the hassle. Leaving out food 24/7 for most cats tends to make them obese.

  • some_guy@lemmy.sdf.org
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    18
    ·
    4 days ago

    Omg, our little beggar wishes she could get away with that! According to her, she’s never had a meal.

    • Captain Aggravated@sh.itjust.works
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      3 days ago

      I’m reliably told three times a day that my someteen year old cat has never once had a meal in her life. Not even the one I fed her hours prior.