How To Stop My Kitten's Yucky Habit

@Suzieqmom (2755)
United States
May 17, 2012 8:39pm CST
Our kitten, Loki, is an adorable buff-colored tabby. And he has a kind of disgusting habit. We have three other cats, and sometimes one of them will upchuck some food--normal cat behavior. We try and clean it up as soon as it happens, but of course sometimes it's at night, or when we are out of the house for a few hours. And here's the problem--Loki, the cute kitten, IMMEDIATELY runs over and eats it! EEEWWW. So unless we clean it up instantaneously, he's in there, munching away. We tell him "no," and squirt him with the water bottle, but nothing deters him. Any suggestions on how to get Loki to stop doing this???
1 person likes this
5 responses
nikki3
@nikki3 (172)
• United States
19 May 12
There is really nothing you can do about it. Dogs do the same thing. I think it is in an animals nature to do this
1 person likes this
Suzieqmom
@Suzieqmom (2755)
• United States
20 May 12
Probably. . .but none of my other cats do, so I'm surprised the kitten does.
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ElicBxn
@ElicBxn (63235)
• United States
18 May 12
Honestly, that is cat instinct - as gross as it is to us. Do you think that the mother cat carried home everything she caught? No, she would eat it and then throw it up to feed her kittens, kittens don't think "ewww - gross" they think "oh lookie, partially digested food for me!" I have had cats who eat it eagerly and others that ignore it. I think part of it is if they ever hungry... Oliver was hungry, but we were mom, he got his bottle pretty much on time until he started eating solid food. Kismet was hungry but she went from nursing to someone feeding her canned food by the side of the road - her mother never had to bring home food that way. So, right now I don't have any that do it - but the dog cleans it up... I wouldn't worry about it - it may be gross to you, and obviously you want to clean it up because that's what we do, but it isn't going to make him sick or anything.
ElicBxn
@ElicBxn (63235)
• United States
18 May 12
oh, and let me remind you - that's what the birds are doing to feed their young...
ElicBxn
@ElicBxn (63235)
• United States
19 May 12
Believe me, cats stomachs can handle things we wouldn't be anywhere near safe eating.
Suzieqmom
@Suzieqmom (2755)
• United States
18 May 12
True enough--but I worry because it isn't his mommy cat that's regurgitating food for him--it's just another one of our household cats, so there are different germs, and all of that. . . I don't really know how his mommy cat fed him--he was found living underneath someone's porch when he was a young kitten all alone (apparently). We adopted him at a very young age (approximately 8 or 9 weeks) and his foster mother had had to give him canned food for kittens with super-sensitive stomachs. In fact he wouldn't eat much when we first got him and we had to soften all of his food (even canned food) with water to make it like "gravy". Maybe that's his fascination with regurgitated food--has "gravy!!" Also now he eats everything and anything that isn't nailed down so you would think he could find something tastier than spit-up food. But I feel better knowing you have let our cats (and dog) indulge in this habit!
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Amber
@AmbiePam (85497)
• United States
3 Jun 12
If I knew how to stop that, I would have used the solution in my own life. About six years ago I got two dogs at the same time. Seven months later I had to find a new home for one of them because lack of money to care for both. So I placed Leon with a family full of kids. He's happy now. But he had a nasty habit. My other dog Sherlock, when he would go poop, I had to rush and make sure I was right behind his butt. Because if I didn't grab it first, Leon would eat it. I had never had a dog that ate poop, but Leon did. I never got him to quit that before I gave him away. Fortunately, he was the only dog in the other household and they didn't have that problem.
innocents_lost
@innocents_lost (1026)
• Canada
18 May 12
My one cat does the same thing except I don't stop him it can't hurt him as all the other cat is throwing up is chewed cat kibble so I let him eat it less mess for me to clean then its only humans who find it discussing and as I can not clean up vomit with out nearly vomiting myself I find it quite handy that he cleans it all up for me I did check with the vet and it won't hurt him at all to eat it
Suzieqmom
@Suzieqmom (2755)
• United States
18 May 12
That's a good point--I will check with the vet, and if she says it's ok, then I guess I'll stop worrying. . .but I still think it's gross!
innocents_lost
@innocents_lost (1026)
• Canada
19 May 12
It is gross and I always walk away if I see my cat doing good gag. The only thing that could be causing him to do it that you might want to check is if there is something missing in his diet often cats will eat either vomit or fecies if they are lacking something I. Their diet make sure the food you are feeding does not contain corn, white rice, brewers rice or. You-product as all of these items are fillers that keep the cat hungry so they eat more and are of a low cost to the manufacture
PhillyDreamer
@PhillyDreamer (3039)
• United States
18 May 12
Cats don't see things the way we do. It's natural for them, just like eating their own feces. Is this a female cat, and if it is is she fixed. I don't think you'll be able to prevent it, unless you keep her separated from the others when you can't watch her.
Suzieqmom
@Suzieqmom (2755)
• United States
18 May 12
True, but none of my other cats has ever done this (I have had several throughout my life), so not sure it's that common, either. He is a male, and he is neutered. He is about 7 months old. And he gets fed plenty, so it's not like he's hungry!
PhillyDreamer
@PhillyDreamer (3039)
• United States
18 May 12
I've had a few cats myself. I've seen them do it, I always assumed it was just an animal thing.
Suzieqmom
@Suzieqmom (2755)
• United States
18 May 12
I feel a little better knowing he's not the only one with this. . .habit!