How to Stop Your Cat from Begging

Source: wikiHow

Co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

In this Article:Article SummaryRuling Out Medical or Psychological IssuesEstablishing Routines and Positive RewardsKeeping Your Cat Happy and OccupiedCommunity Q&A13 References

A cat can learn begging behavior through positive reinforcement: your cat nags you, you give it what it wants (food, cuddles, your warm and comfy seat), and your cat learns that begging is rewarded.

To get your cat out of a begging habit, start by consulting your vet to ensure there aren’t any medical or psychological issues involved. Then, work on creating consistent routines, rewarding good behavior and ignoring begging, and keeping your cat occupied when you’re home and away.

1. 1 Get a vet check for illnesses like parasites, hyperthyroidism, and diabetes. Make sure that your cat is healthy before trying to address the begging behavior. Sometimes begging and/or constant meowing can be an indication of illness or a disorder. Take your cat to the vet for a health checkup and mention the behavior.^[1]
   • If a cat is ravenously hungry all of the time, and is begging for more food, this may sometimes be due to feline diabetes or hypothyroidism. Or, it may have intestinal parasites that are “stealing” the nutrients it consumes.
   • If a cat is meowing a lot, it may be a sign that it has a disorder such as kidney disease or an overactive thyroid.^[2]
2. 2 Consult the vet about your cat’s nutritional requirements. It’s possible that your cat begs for food because it’s simply not being fed enough, or that the food you give it provides insufficient nutrition. Talk to your vet about the ideal food type and feeding routine for your cat, based on factors like age, breed, and overall health.
   ^[3]
   • Give your cat a high-quality cat food that provides balanced nutrition.
   • Additionally, make sure it has access to fresh, clean water at all times.
3. 3 Do an evaluation for an eating disorder or other psychological issue. Cats can develop “psychogenic abnormal feeding behaviors” that lead to frequent begging and other problems surrounding eating. Describe your cat’s eating routines and any triggers for begging or other…

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