Cats can be quirky and weird all at the same time. There are times that they demand your attention but when you start to cuddle and pet them they suddenly jump and run away. They can also be confusing when it comes to mealtime. Take for instance, when they want you to walk them to their food.
Why do cats want you to walk them to their food?
Cats may want you to walk them to their food because they want you to watch them eat. Many cat owners have stories on how their cats walk them to their eating area and proceed to eat while they stood there, watching their cats eat. If they start to move around or get busy with something, the cat tends to stop eating and will fetch them again, back to the eating area. This behavior may result from the cat wanting to feel safe and protected when they eat.
Another reason why cats want you to walk them to their food is that they want to tell you that there is something wrong with food, for example is not fresh. Some cat owners attest that their cats may be doing this just to get some assurance from you about their food. What these cat owners usually do is to stir the cat’s food a few times and this will usually encourage the cat to eat.
Some cats allow their owners to pet them while they eat, although there are also cats that do not like to be touched at all while eating. Other cats want their humans to just be there as they eat, watching and talking to them in soothing voices. This just goes to show that each cat has its preferences when it comes to their eating habits.
What are some of the unusual eating habits of cats?
Aside from wanting you to walk them to their food, cats also have other unusual eating habits and quirks. Here are just some of them:
1. Cats tend to play with their food.
Cats in the wild spend up to 12 hours a day hunting for food and playing with their food is a way of being engaged with their environment. Similarly, if you see your cat knocking her food from the bowl before eating, your cat may likely be engaging her predatory instinct just like her ancestors.
The cats’ tendency to play with their food is usually a good thing as it keeps them active and prevents them from becoming obese and lazy.
2. They tend to gorge or wolf down their food.
Some cats tend to wolf down their food as quickly as possible and the reason can be their owners feeding them only two big meals each day. Another reason why your cat may be gorging her food is due to the presence of other pets and she may want to eat as quickly as possible so her food will not get stolen.
To curb this gorging habit, you could try providing an automatic feeder that dispenses food in tiny portions a few times during the day. Activity bowls are also amenable since it encourages foraging behavior and slows down a cat while she eats her meals.
3. Some cats want to eat alone.
Some cats prefer to eat alone while some other cats will only eat if they are in a quiet and calm area where they feel safe. This may stem from their instincts knowing that they are not just predators but also preys. Cats have this awareness rooted in their system. Some cat owners attest that even a noisy dishwasher is enough for their cats to refuse to eat their meals.
4. They tend to leave trophies on the front door or in front of you.
You may have noticed your cat bringing in her catch of the day or trophies. Most cat experts note that cats do this to teach their owners how to hunt but cats may hunt even if they are not hungry and they tend to hide their catch somewhere or bring it back to their owners. It may be a cat’s way of saying, “Keep this for me, I’ll be back!”.
5. Some cats tend to suddenly stop eating their meals.
Some cats may suddenly stop eating their food due to recent changes in their diet or when their owners abruptly switch their food. Middle-aged cats are said to be the ones mostly-affected by diet changes. If your cat suddenly stops eating her meals but there were no changes in her diet and environment, you should bring her to the vet as this could be a result of health issues. Check out our earlier article on How long can a cat go without eating for additional information on this topic.
Final thoughts
Cats have their unique quirks and habits when they want your attention, on how they bond to you and other pets and when it comes to feeding time. Your cat may want you to walk her to her food because she wants you to watch and protect her as she eats her meals. She may also be doing that to remind you that she wants new food or to get your assurance that her food is there.
Image: istockphoto.com / Irina Orlova