Food aggression – what to check first?
Food aggression, also known as resource guarding, is more known in dogs, but can also occur in cats. The behavior in cats may show slightly differently, as dogs usually don’t jump on counters.
It is a behavior where a cat displays offensive or defensive behaviors around their food.
Here are some aspects to consider regarding food aggression in cats:
The first step in a food aggression case is to compare the caloric needs of the cat with the amount of food the cats get fed. In many cases there is room to move up the amount of food. Feeding guidelines are only guidelines. And the activity level of a cat plays a more important role than age. An active 10lbs outdoor adult cat easily needs 300kcal per day, whilst a sedatory 8lbs senior cat only may need 180kcal per day.
Many feeding guidelines on bags are confusing, and I recommend to rather weight the food than rely on cup measurement.
The second step is to look at how often you feed your cat. Cats prefer to eat small meals often. Cats who are not being fed by humans eat between 8 and 12 mice per day. Each mouse is contributing about 30kcal to the daily intake.
At home feeding them at least 4-5 days per day is a minimum. If your schedule allows for more that’s even better.
Third step is to rule out any underlying medical condition like hyperthyroidism.
If you made sure that you are feeding your cat enough food, and you spread out the meals. Your veterinarian ruled out any underlying medical conditions. And still, the unwanted behavior still does not decrease, we need to look deeper into causes and treatment.
It's essential to find out and understand why the cat is behaving that way.
Previous experience or upbringing may play a role?
In the wild, animals need to protect their food to ensure their survival. This instinct can still be present in domestic cats. If a cat showing food aggression behavior was coming from a situation where food was scarce, she may have experienced scarcity or competition for food in the past and therefore may be more prone to food aggression.
If you notice any signs of food aggression in your home, please immediately start feeding the cats in separate areas. If the food aggression does resolve with more food, feeding more often and has no underlying medical condition it is time to seek help from a professional.
Here is a great resource for more information.
https://icatcare.org/the-evidence-for-frequent-feeding-of-cats-to-promote-positive-welfare/