Got an automated dual cat feeder but one gluttonous cat keeps stealing the other’s food? Read tips to stop thievery including barriers, feeder tweaks and distraction tactics.
Few things are more frustrating than spending top dollar on an automatic feeder tailored for a multi-cat household only to have one greedy kitty claim all the goods!
This unfortunately common scenario leaves one cat overfed and the other still meowing for meals.
But clever solutions exist to thwart even the craftiest food burglars. This article outlines effective deterrents to stop pilfering from dual portion feeders.
Soon both cats can bask in filled bellies thanks to secure mealtimes! Let’s review the problem first about luxury cat accessories.
Why Share When I Can Steal Both Meals?
The thinking goes: “If the humans wanted Fluffy fed too they wouldn’t have put my nummy bits so close to steal!”
Thus kitties use speed, size and sneakiness to swipe extra rations despite designated bowls. Reasons for theft include:
- Gluttony
- Boredom
- Anxiety
- Medical conditions causing insatiable hunger
- Lack of discipline
- Resentment toward fellow cat
Whatever the motivation, dual feeder thievery leads to poor health and home harmony. So what’s an owner to do? Plenty! Keep reading…
Dual Feeder Security Upgrades
While burly Boris may defeat flimsy plastic with brute feline force, sturdier materials stand strong against pilfering.
- Stainless steel construction foils fangs and stops even sharpest claws
- Extra weighting makes bowls impossible to drag away
- Rubberized rings on bowl rims increase paw grip difficulty
Adjustable dividing panels between feeding stations also block access from thieving muzzles. Some feeders feature complete lids keeping nosy paws and mouths out!
| Deterrent | Effectiveness | Cost |
| Material Upgrades | High | Medium |
| Dividers | Medium | Low |
| Lids | High | Medium |
Securing the goods only goes so far if crafty cats stalk stations awaiting opening. So how else can owners prevent purloining?
Creative Distractions and Deterrents
Engagement devices like treat balls and food puzzles occupy greedy paws during feedings. Just be sure distracting toys don’t reward theft!
Strategic feeder placement also helps. Set bowls in separated, obstructed spaces limiting accessibility. Elevation makes stealing physically awkward.
For two cat households, owners can also alternate feeding rounds. Each kitty eats solo in a closed room, then swaps. This stops bullying and allows monitoring of intake.
Of course enhancing overall stimulation through increased play, exercise and bonding usually reduces acting out behaviors over time. But at the moment, securing goods takes priority so both cats receive nourishment!
When To Call The Vet About Food Obsession
If break-ins and thievery persist despite various deterrents and feeding routine changes, health issues may be at play. Contact your veterinarian if kitty displays additional symptoms like:
- Sudden insatiable appetite
- Increased water intake
- Weight loss despite eating more
- Lethargy
- Excessive vocalizations between meals
- Other behavioral shifts
Certain conditions causing uncontrollable hunger often require prescription interventions. Better to call the vet sooner than later to assess what’s amiss.
Sure, some cats just have a naughtier nature at heart. But owners needn’t resign themselves to a daily feeding battleground!
With some savvy upgrading of some luxury cat accessories like dual feeder contraptions plus strategic pilfer-proofing tactics any sly cat’s scheming can be soundly thwarted.
Soon both kitties can bask in filled bellies during harmonious mealtimes once more. Stay vigilant, creative and consistent – eventually even the craftiest cat will learn their thieving ways get them nowhere.
