An vet has shed some light on what it means if your cat wants you there while they eat.
Some cats prefer to enjoy their meals when their owner is next to them or close by. Dr Katrina Warren, an Australian vet who has educated millions of people about pet care for more than 30 years and has even appeared on TV, revealed that this habit is called ‘affection eating’.
You might have experienced this with your own pet cat but are not sure what the reason is for this feline behaviour. Dr Warren took to TikTok to explain why some cats do this.
Speaking in the video, she said: “Did you know there are some cats that like to have their owners around when they eat and they eat a whole lot more when they are already close to them? It’s got a name, it’s called ‘affection eating’ and it can be caused by things like stress such as moving house or the arrival of a new baby.”
The expert vet added that it is often seen in cats who are anxious and “like to have the reassurance of their owners always around them.” This habit can also be found in cats who were hand-raised as kittens or weaned very early, according to Dr Warren.
She cautioned: “Now, affection eating can be a problem if your cat won’t eat when you’re not around and also if your cat is showing a sudden change of behaviour and becoming suddenly clingy. It’s really important to get a veterinary check just to rule out any underlying medical issues that could be causing this.”
If stress is the underlying cause of your pet’s needy behaviour, Dr Warren advised: “Try, obviously, to reduce the stresses. I always recommend setting up a safe place for them to go, a nice, quiet room is ideal with a climbing tree, scratching post and a litter box, somewhere that they can go as a retreat any time of the day just to have some calm time.”
Cats.com has given more information about why some cats like to have their owners with or near them when they eat. Their website states: “This habit is thought to be an instinct left over from when our domestic cats’ wild ancestors would hunt alone but then eat in groups so they were less vulnerable to predators when their head was down, munching away.
“It can also be seen in kittens that are hand-fed by humans, and in anxious cats that just want some reassurance.” The feline care source further explained that ‘affection eating’ can manifest in cats for a few different reasons, including social instinct, safety, ingrained habits and being involved to feel connected.”
Cat.com elaborated: “Your cat might like you there with them as they eat so that their meal is the main focus of the household, and they can be confident that you’re not off having fun while they’re eating! Cats often have a strong bond with their human caregivers and like to share key experiences with them, such as mealtimes.”
Dr Warren’s TikTok clip has garnered 757,00 views, 23,800 likes and more than 300 comments, at the time of writing. One feline owner shared: “My cat is almost completely independent – doesn’t like being picked up and never sits on us – but God help her if we don’t watch her eat.”
Another added: “My stray boy prefers to eat with company.” A third cat parent commented: “Finally! This is the term I’ve been looking for for most of my life.”
