Nearly 90% (87%) of cat owners have reported that their cats regularly eat each other’s food according to the findings of a new Nutrition Report...

The new report was commissioned by SureFlap, the award-winning microchip-operated pet product specialist, and manufacturer of the innovative new SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder, to assess the eating habits of the nation’s feline friends.

Nearly a quarter of owners (24%) from multi-cat households reported that their cats eat different diets.  Of these, cats were either solely or a combination of fussy eaters (45%), eating lifestage diets (39%), on medication (20%) or on weight management programmes (27%).  While two-fifths (40%) of those questioned from dog and cat owning households admitted that their dog often stole their cat’s food.

In addition, over half of cat owners (53%) identified behavioural issues in their cats such as physical confrontations in multi-cat households, over grooming, indoor marking and scratching the furniture or carpet which may be a result of simple feeding habit errors.  These include:

• Placing a food bowl next to a water bowl (79%) - cats prefer to eat and drink in separate locations as they like to avoid contaminated water
• Only filling water halfway up a bowl (36%) - cats do not like to drink out of bowls that are shadowed.  Owners should therefore fill water bowls to the top so that cats do not need to put their heads down into the container
• Feeding at set meal times (55%) - cats prefer to eat 15-20 small meals a day.  Ad-lib feeding is therefore preferable, as feeding at set times may over face the digestive tract leading to vomiting and, in turn, weight issues
• Sharing feed bowls (20%) and water bowls (69%) - cats will ignore inter-cat tension to access food, but not to access water.  Several water bowls should be available in multi-cat households to encourage cats to drink as often as possible.

Mike Davies, BVetMed CertVR CertSAO FRCVS, veterinary surgeon and specialist in canine and feline clinical nutrition, comments: “Dietary management is an important part of weight control programmes, and also in the management of many diseases so veterinarians and nurses often recommend specific diets to their clients. However, a common problem is lack of compliance, which can take many forms. The owners themselves may fail to follow instructions and may not feed the diet exclusively or fail to feed the correct amount.  Moreover, their pet may be reluctant to accept the change in food and, in multiple animal households, the pet may have access to other food, or other pets in the house might steal their diet.  A feeding system that ensures each cat can only eat the type of food that it should, would be a great help towards assuring compliance in these situations.”

Dr Nick Hill, founder and managing director of SureFlap, manufacturer of the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder, adds: “Cats are particular creatures and the SureFeed Nutrition Report has identified that pet owners need to review how they feed their pets to help maintain a happy household.  This includes utilising equipment such as the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder in households where cats share food, are on special diets or medication or to simply keep food fresher for longer.”

The new SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder is the first product in SureFlap’s range of ground-breaking new pet feeders.  It is activated when the pet feeder identifies an authorised pet by its microchip or RFID collar tag; the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder will slide open automatically when approached by the animal and close when the pet has finished feeding.

The Microchip Pet Feeder will ensure that pets eat from their own bowl, making it ideal for pets on special diets or those that are on medication or on a weight management programme.  The feeder will also stop other pets from stealing food.  The integrated side guards and the folding lid create a barrier around the bowl when the feeder is open to shield food from other pets when the animal is eating.  In addition, the SureFeed bowl is available in four colours and features a unique integrated seal to help keep food fresher for longer and the house free of smells, flies and insects. The feeder is easy to clean and the mat and lid can be removed and washed.

For further information on the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder or the company’s microchip operated pet products, including its innovative SureFlap microchip pet doors, visit www.sureflap.com, phone 01954 211664 or email enquiries@sureflap.co.uk.