Cats and Hunger
Answered by: Kerry Hackett
Question from: Denise A. Windle
Posted on: February 28, 2006

We have an older cat (14 years) who in the past year has lost weight, plays like a kitten and is always hungry. In fact she gets in the sink and licks up anything residue that is left and has even gotten into the trash!

I gradually switched her to a raw food diet which did enable her to put on weight the past 4 months, but she still seems to always be hungry. I have not taken her to the regular vet as I always have to argue with them about her "yearly vaccinations". She is and always has been an indoor cat and other than her first set of shots she has not been vaccinated.

First, am I correct in assuming that, as an indoor cat, the possibility of parasites or worms is out of the question? Second: what type of raw food diet is your cat eating? There are several theories regarding homemade diets, some made up of just raw vegetables and meat, others that include some cooked grain along with the vegetables and meat. I have tried both and have found the addition of some cooked grains (flakes of oats, barley, kamut or spelt) makes an enormous difference to both the animal’s fur quality and elimination and seldom are they hungry after these meals. Please see "Natural Health for Dogs and Cats" by Richard Pitcairn, "The Complete Herbal Handbook for the Dog and Cat" by Juliette de Bairacli Levy and "The Barf Diet" by Ian Billinghurst for ideas regarding good, homemade diets. Third and last, you may not be feeding your cat enough at any one sitting. Adult cats should be fed twice a day with the cat’s hunger and weight being determining factors for the amount of food placed in the dish. Perhaps you might like to experiment with how much food she would like to have? Bear in mind you should be able to feel your cat’s ribs through her fur.

If none of the above answers your question you may have to take her into a veterinarian for a full check-up to see if there is anything else going on. Not all vets are adverse to the concept of non-vaccination; is there one in your area who might be more in line with your views?

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