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There are a lot of things to remember when it comes to caring for a cat. Not only do you need to remember what they can and cannot eat, but you also need to keep in mind any potential addictions or obsessions they may develop.
Treats and food can become dangerous addictions for our favorite felines. On the other hand, despite the use of catnip as a way to trigger catnip highs in cats, it is completely safe and non-addictive.
Food, treats, and catnip all carry individual risks, and it’s important to consider all of the potential downsides of overusing your cat’s favorite things. This guide has everything you need to know about food and treat addictions, and how to use catnip safely.
Can cats become addicted to food or treats?
At some point, we all gave in to our cat’s wide eyes and demanding meows and handed out a treat. Maybe it’s because they haven’t had a treat in a while or it’s just to have some peace. However, cats can become addicted to their treats. The more you give them, the more they will want it.
It’s not just about treats. Your cat may be just as prone to becoming addicted to their dry food. Although dry cat food is designed to be more nutritionally balanced than treats, your cat might be more than happy to finish the entire bag in one sitting if you let them.
How to tell if your cat is obsessed with food
Your cat may not be able to demand food the way your hungry toddler demands cookies, but it uses similar tactics to get its way. Most of the time, these methods are also effective. We will inevitably get so frustrated with their constant antics and nagging that we’ll give them a treat just to distract them.
Aggressiveness
Many toddlers get grumpy when they don’t do what they want and some cats do the same. If you manage to ignore their begging for a treat, you may find that your usually mild-mannered kitten growls at you a lot more. He may also snatch the treat from your hand or rip it from your fingers when you give him one.
Rhythm
Walking down the hall or running between you and the treat cabinet is how your cat gets your attention. While we all love cat hugs, sometimes it’s obvious your cat has ulterior motives. This is especially true if their relentless beat leads you straight to their treat cabinet door.
Scratch in the candy cupboard
Cats aren’t as dumb as many people think. They know exactly where you keep their food even if they can’t get to it. A possible sign of food addiction is that your cat never leaves the cupboard where you keep treats. He scratches or knocks on the door trying to convince you to give him a snack.
Some particularly intelligent felines might even figure out how to open the closet themselves if it’s not secure.
Vocalization
Perhaps the most annoying habit our cats develop when searching for something is being extremely loud. When you’re trying to watch your favorite TV show or work, the incessant, high-pitched meow is squeaky.
Unfortunately, giving your cat a treat to convince it to shut up only encourages its behavior. The more you give in, the more likely they are to make more noise demanding food.
How to Stop Your Cat’s Addiction to Treats
Treats should only be approximately 10% of your cat’s food. Your cat’s favorite biscuits should never become a major part of their diet due to the lack of nutrients in the recipe and the risk of overfeeding. Fortunately, there are several ways to break your cat’s addiction to treats, it will only take a little dedication:
Automatic feeders
Designed to feed your cat food at regular intervals throughout the day, automatic feeders also have the added benefit of teaching your cat not to associate humans with food. It may take a while, but eventually your cat will learn not to expect food from you every time you enter a room.
Automatic feeders also allow you to keep cat food out of reach instead of leaving it in an open bowl during rest hours. This will help your cat learn that he is fed at certain times of the day rather than when he asks for it.
Ignore begging
That’s easier said than done, especially when our cat’s big squint eyes come into play. Ignoring their behavior, however, is key to breaking their treat addiction. The more treats you offer him to get him to leave you alone, the more you reinforce his behavior.
If your cat asks for food, don’t give in. He should only be given a treat as a reward for good behavior, such as taking medication, or a one-time treat as a pleasant change.
Visit your veterinarian
Sometimes it’s not the treats that are the problem. Your cat may be suffering from underlying medical condition this means that they are not getting enough nutrients in their diet. Your cat could be suffering from health issues like diabetes, parasites, or thyroid issues.
One of the biggest warning signs of possible health problems is if your cat’s behavior around food suddenly changes. Make an appointment with your veterinarian to rule out any medical issues your cat may have.
Can cats become addicted to catnip?
A member of the mint family, catnip contains a chemical well known to trigger excitement, drowsiness, drooling, or increased purring in some cats. If your cat is one of the many cats that react to catnip, you may be concerned that she may develop an addiction to the herb. However, even though some cats go crazy, catnip is completely non addictive. Your cat is more likely to be immune to the effects of catnip if it is used too often.
Some cats don’t react to catnip at all. Kittens under six months old and older cats are the least likely to react to the effects of catnip. There are also many adult cats between these ages who barely react to catnip, either because they are immune or simply not sensitive to the effects.
What are the risks of catnip?
Generally, catnip is completely safe for cats, especially when used in moderation. As with most things, however, there are some risks you should keep in mind if you give your cat catnip.
One of the biggest problems is the use too much catnip. An overdose is unlikely to be fatal, but may cause diarrhea, dizziness, lack of coordination, or vomiting. Catnip can also cause aggression in some cats or make aggressive cats last longer against you and other pets.
In these cases, giving your cat less catnip — or none at all if your cat is aggressive — is often enough to bring him back to normal.
How to use catnip safely
Since catnip can be non-addictive and non-toxic, it is always important to use it correctly. Both to make sure your cat gets the most out of their catnip and to keep them safe.
Adjust dosage
There are several ways to use catnip. Fresh, dried, spray or stuffed into a toy. The dosage in each case may vary. Fresh catnip, for example, will be much stronger than the dried form, so you’ll need less of it to cause a reaction. Concentrated catnip oils will also be much more potent than diluted options or dried leaves in cat toys.
Monitor reactions
Not all cats react to catnip, but it’s always important not to leave them unattended around the grass. Don’t get too distracted by your kitty’s high, you want to make sure they don’t get too excited about the weed. If your cat becomes overly hyperactive with catnip, it may be a sign that the dose you are giving him needs to be adjusted.
Observing how they react to catnip also helps you ensure that your cat does not become aggressive when it comes into contact with it.
Once a week
Although a catnip high is fun for us and our cat, it only lasts 5-15 minutes. Since it’s so easy for your cat to get bored with this stuff, it’s important not to overdo the catnip. For best results, limit your cat’s interaction with grass to once a week rather than a daily treat.
Conclusion
Too much of a good thing can harm your cat’s health. Giving your cat too much food and treats can lead to obesity, which increases your cat’s risk of diabetes and other health problems. Catnip can also cause stomach upset if your cat eats too much of it, or your cat can become totally immune to the effects.
We hope this guide has helped you determine if your cat is addicted to their food, how to fix the problem, and how to use catnip responsibly.
Featured Image Credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock
Ivy’s mom cat – a feisty little rescue kitten who is her one and only child. For the moment! Throughout her life, she was introduced to the special love that can be found in bonding with a cat. Having owned several felines, she is more than certain that their love is unmatched, unconditional and unlike any other. With a passion for educating the public on all there is to know about felines, their behavior and their unique personalities, Crystal is dedicated to ensuring that all cats and their owners know the importance of living mindfully – and to love!
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