15+ Cat Owners Dish About The Unusual Relationship Their Precious Pets Have With Food
We all know cats are weird! It's not an insult, we're living for their weirdness.
When your most beloved companions in life include cats, you're sure to experience a variety of things with them that are simultaneously peculiar or bizarre and relatable among your fellow cat fanatics. For example, we can all relate to the light-hearted assertion that cats defy physics (or that cats are liquid,) but the specific behavior an individual cat might display is possibly going to be unique enough to leave even the most experienced cat owner gobsmacked.
That very concept is directly related to this adorable and hilarious gallery of cats we're about to dive into today. I'm going to assume that you're just as dedicated and devoted to cats as I am and that's why you're here, therefore, I can safely assume that you and I both know cats have a reputation surrounding their relationship with food.
They operate on a wavelength completely aware that meals should be served at approximate points in time, no matter what you are doing (literally no matter what.) If the bowl is too deep, then you can expect your cat to let you know the bowl is empty when it is clearly not empty.
Still, cats continue to surprise us with their amusing behavior surrounding food. Time and time again.
So, check out what these cat owners had to say about their cats:
1. This cat is fancy-fancy.
"Cricket was under a very wrong impression that everything tastes more delicious if eaten the way humans eat it. His owners decided to hit him with the bitter truth by offering some sour cream on a fork."- Amy Knox
Amy Knox
2. Oh no! That's not great.
"Sam doesn’t like the sensation of the whole pooping process. He has also figured out that eating is what makes you poop. So Mr. Dummy Dum has decided he won’t be eating ever again."
Lorina Atterbury
3. This cat is a C R I T I C
"Little Luna always tells her mommy to make her meal and watches every step in the process carefully like Chef Gordon Ramsey. Once the meal is cooked and ready to be served, she just sniffs it, gives her approval, and walks away…to eat it at a later time. Luna does this so she can have food at the ready when she is actually hungry."
Margaret Kilmartin
4. You, a mere human and mortal, wouldn't dare prepare his food incorrectly.
"He has very specific and high standards for the wet food he eats. If the consistency is wrong, the ratio is wrong, he won’t touch the bowl. And the bowl also has to be placed right next to him, if it is far he won’t be approaching it himself and would starve in protest."
Angela Woodson Wells
"Every cat is hardwired to be carnivorous."
Sheba, a famous pet food brand, says that normal behavior from cats when it comes to food is a combination of natural behaviors and learned behaviors. However, they also say that a cat's behavior "can also be influenced by what they were fed as a kitten, leading them to favor certain forms, textures, and flavors."
Because of that, switching to an "unfamiliar" food product can lead to disruptive behaviors. Who knew we weren't the only ones who get hangry?
5. Messy is a way of life.
"Snowflakes only enjoys her food when she has dunked both her front paws into the bowl she is eating from."
Sonya Vilvens
6. A mid-drink pause to ponder is a worthwhile price to pay for the purr-fect sip.
"Milo only drinks from a water bowl family have in place for the dog, that is a bit elevated from the ground. He takes a couple of sips, stops confused wondering how is water floating in the air, and then continues."
Vanessa Frey
7. Folks, please tip your hats or bow your heads for this gentleman and scholar:
"Meet Luchy. He only drinks fresh cold water and if he ever leaves some food in the bowl after he is done eating, he would try to bury it under carpets and sheets so no one knows he didn’t finish his meal."
Casondra Mapplebeck
8. Some habits are hard to break.
"When Logan was a little baby, he used to sit in the bowl and then eat the food. 7 years later, he still showcases that habit by putting one paw in the while as he eats."
Tonya Mongeau
Did you know? Mama cats groom poop off of their kittens with their mouths.
According to Sheba, eating poop is clinically known as coprophagia. While they say it's not entirely shocking, it can more likely be a major warning sign if you catch your cat crunching on the stinky treats in their litterbox:
"It could be driven by medical issues, parasites, neurological diseases, or psychological disorders. Talk with your vet to figure out the root cause and what course of treatment your cat needs."9. This cat's owner says their favorite snack is... arugula.
Arugula is broccoli's cousin and an unexpected favorite for a cat. According to CatTime, arugula is a fine and acceptable special treat for a cat because "arugula has a few worthwhile health benefits for cats."
Jen McGuire
10. The opposite of a picky eater is Mango.
"Meet Mango! His favorite food items include peanut butter, lamb, spaghetti, and even the lettuce he saw in the salad his dad was eating the other day. He wants it all."
Maria Leontis Baird
11. She needs a cheerleader and that's quite respectable.
"The only way to get Peyton to eat is by having someone sit next to her and gives her pets after every other bite."
Sarah M. Owens
12. This bebe's story is a fond memory for this grieving owner, who says their precious puss used to "scoop out the kibble with his paws and eat it with his hands, instead of eating it straight out of the bowl."
His memory is clearly a blessing!
Kerry Amour
Have you ever seen your cat play with their food? That's totally normal! Sheba explains:
"Cats are hunters by nature — they expect mealtime to include a chase. So, pawing at their food isn’t a critique of the chef’s efforts. In fact, this is healthy activity for your cat: good for nurturing their instincts and burning calories."13. This frisky kitty is invested in what her parents are eating.
Every time they sat down to eat, she would come and perform a sniff test. "If she likes it, she would then open her mouth and rub her own head and in case of disliking, she would just walk away."
Rose Wargo
14. You have to respect a gal who knows exactly what she wants and accepts zero substitutions. High standards are admirable when it comes to cats!
"She only accepts the food if it is frozen to the core."
Rose-Marie Grace Vieira
15. When the mood is right, this kitty likes to dip her paws in mommy's coffee, to drink a little in her own peculiar way.
A dip and sip is nothing to fret over, but it's very important to keep in mind that caffeine toxicity is a risk with cats. Cats (and dogs) are more sensitive to caffeine than humans are.
VCA Hospitals warns pet owners about the signs and symptoms of caffeine toxicity:
"Pets that consume caffeine may have an increased heart rate and become hyperactive. They get jittery and restless and do not want to lie still. They may also pace or vocalize excessively. Caffeine raises blood pressure and causes cardiac arrhythmias, which can be dangerous. Pets may also lose muscle control and have tremors or seizures. Caffeine affects the gastrointestinal tract and can cause vomiting and diarrhea."
Kimberly Braddock Johnson
16. Who has time for sanity, anyway? Pfft!
"Gordon doesn’t drink water straight out of the bowl like sane cats, he dips his paw in and then licks all the liquid off."
Jennifer McHugh Devlin
17. It's Marnie's way or the highway.
"Marnie has created a new rule. She gets a treat every time her mother talks to her or looks at her. And she would like them presented to her in her bed."
VJ Allison
18. Do you remember a few pictures up the Sam who wasn't fond of pooping? Here's another, entirely different but entirely fascinating cat named Sam!
Sam is not a fan of butter.
"Every time he hears the toaster on the go, he would run to the kitchen. He knows if the bread is toasted, the butter will come out as well. And he only comes in for the butter, the toaster thing is just a cue."
Penny Horn Beam
Alright, fellow cat fans. I'm expecting that you have some experience in the "weird stories about weird cat behavior" department that you're ready and willing to share.
What weird things have you observed cats do when it comes to food? Share with us in the comments!
Want some more weird cats? We have that covered for you: Weirdo Cats Living Their Best, Weird Lives