Food aggression in cats: A vet's guide to signs and treatment

While many cats can act a bit food-obsessed at times, this behavior can become excessive, resulting in food aggression in cats. Cats that are food aggressive not only want food, they will demonstrate aggression towards any person or animal that they perceive as a threat to their ability to obtain food.

Food aggression is a type of possessive aggression, with cats working to defend food that they perceive as their own. While food aggression occasionally has underlying medical causes, effective management usually requires a multi-pronged behavioral approach.

Signs of food aggression in cats 

The most reliable sign of food aggression is aggressive behavior (directed towards humans or other pets) that occurs around the food bowl or when food is present. If your cat demonstrates any of the following signs, you are likely dealing with feline food aggression: 

• Guarding the food bowl 
• Hissing or growling when the food bowl is approached by people or other pets 
• Attacking people or pets when food is present 

Other, less obvious, signs may also be associated with food aggression. Although these signs do not directly involve aggressive behavior, and therefore are not sufficient to make a diagnosis of food aggression, they seem to stem from an excessive preoccupation with food. 

These signs may serve as a possible warning sign for food aggression:

• Meowing and pestering people when the food bowl is empty 
• Frequent attempts to steal food from people 
• Chewing through packaging to get to access cat food and other food items 
• Loudly begging for food in the kitchen 

Causes of food aggression in cats 

There are many possible causes of food aggression in cats. In most cases, no specific cause can be identified. Even when we think we know what may be causing a particular cat’s food aggression, this can be difficult to confirm. 

Food scarcity

Food aggression may be attributable to a period of food scarcity. Perhaps your cat was weaned too early as a kitten, leading to a period of malnutrition. Or maybe your cat lived outdoors as a stray for a while, never sure where they would get their next meal. Any period of food scarcity is likely to increase a cat’s desire to secure food for themselves, so they will not go hungry again.

Stress

Stress can also contribute to food aggression. If your cat has undergone significant life changes (recent adoption, a move to a new home, new pets in the home, etc.), this stress can trigger a wide variety of behavioral changes, including food aggression.

Multi-cat household

Cats in multi-cat homes also appear to be more likely to develop food aggression. They may feel the need to compete for resources, including food. Feeding multiple cats in the same household can be tricky; competition between cats may result in food aggression and other aggressive behaviors.

Medical issues

Finally, food aggression can have underlying medical causes. Any condition that increases your cat’s hunger, such as diabetes or hyperthyroidism, can lead to food aggression and an increased preoccupation with food.

Diagnosing food aggression in cats 

Any cat with a new onset of food aggression should be evaluated by a veterinarian. Your vet will likely perform a thorough physical examination, a fecal parasite examination, and blood tests. Other tests may also be recommended, depending on the results of your cat’s physical exam. These tests are used to rule out medical conditions that may cause excessive hunger, which could be contributing to your cat’s food aggression.

If no medical cause is found for your cat’s food aggression, an underlying behavioral cause should be suspected. Your veterinarian will likely ask about your cat’s behavior at home, including how long the behavior has been present and what other behavioral changes (if any) you have observed. Through this behavioral history, your vet will determine whether your cat’s behaviors are consistent with food aggression. 

How to stop food aggression in cats 

The first step in managing food aggression is to avoid making the situation worse. Ensure that your cat has plenty of space at mealtime and does not feel the need to defend their food. Feed them in a quiet room, away from people and other pets. By making mealtime a more calm experience, you can decrease some of the anxiety and arousal that often accompany food aggression. 

Remember that cats in the wild hunt small prey, eating many small meals throughout the day. Instead of feeding your cat one or two large meals per day, feed your cat four or five smaller meals each day. Not only does this mimic your cat’s natural feeding behavior, it can help decrease the feeling of food scarcity that often underlies food aggression.

Finally, ensure that your cat has plenty of outlets for play. Use active feeding devices, such as Doc & Phoebe’s Indoor Hunting Cat Feeder, to make mealtime more mentally and physically stimulating for your cat. Play with your cat several times per day, using teaser wands and other cat toys. A tired cat has less  nervous energy to fuel stress-related responses such as food aggression. 

If your at-home efforts are unsuccessful, talk to your veterinarian. They may refer you to a veterinary behaviorist for a more detailed evaluation and comprehensive treatment plan. 

Food aggression in kittens 

Food aggression in kittens is very similar to food aggression in adult cats. It’s more likely to occur when you take in a kitten that has gone through a period of food scarcity, but it can be seen in any kitten. When managing food aggression in kittens, the basic steps are the same as managing food aggression in adults. Give your kitten a secure space to eat, offer multiple small meals daily, and ensure that your kitten has plenty of healthy play outlets for their energy. 

Don’t ignore food aggression and hope it will go away. The earlier you start addressing behavioral problems such as food aggression, the more likely you are to achieve a successful outcome. 

Conclusion

Food aggression in cats is a frustrating problem that does not always have an unidentifiable underlying cause. If you are struggling with feline food aggression, work with your veterinarian to rule out underlying medical causes of your cat’s behavior change. Once you have determined that your cat’s food aggression is behavioral in nature, focus on decreasing stress surrounding mealtimes and feeding small meals that encourage physical and mental activity in your cat.