How To Stop Your Cat From Eating Too Fast

There is something satisfying about seeing a cat enjoy a meal, particularly since some cats are so finicky about eating, but some cats take it a little too far. Instead of calmly eating their food, they may gulp it down within minutes, barely stopping to chew. Some cats eat so quickly that they finish their entire meal before their pet parent has even had a chance to put the food bowl away.

And, unfortunately, eating too fast can sometimes lead a cat to vomit, especially when a and immediately brings up undigested food after eating.

Why Does My Cat Eat So Fast?

Cats can develop fast eating habits for several reasons. Some cats simply have a big appetite and become extremely excited when food appears. Others may have learned to eat quickly because they once had to compete with other cats for access to food. Even cats living alone can maintain this behavior long after they no longer need to compete for their meals.

The type of food can also play a role. Dry kibble can be particularly easy for some cats to gulp down because they can swallow several pieces at once. Wet food may slow some cats down naturally, although cats can certainly eat canned food quickly too.

Feeding schedules can also influence how quickly a cat eats. A cat that receives one or two large meals each day may become extremely hungry between feedings and attack the food bowl as soon as dinner arrives. Cats that naturally prefer smaller, more frequent meals may do better with their food divided into several portions throughout the day.

Can Eating Too Fast Make a Cat Throw Up?

Yes, eating too fast can make some cats vomit. When a cat gulps down a large amount of food, he or she may also swallow a significant amount of air. The cat’s stomach can become uncomfortably full very quickly, and that can trigger vomiting shortly after the meal.

Pet parents may notice a pile of mostly undigested food shortly after their cat eats. This can sometimes look more like regurgitation than true vomiting. Regurgitation usually happens soon after eating and tends to occur without the abdominal contractions associated with vomiting.

An occasional episode may simply be the result of eating too quickly, but repeated vomiting should never automatically be blamed on fast eating. Medical problems, food intolerances, parasites, gastrointestinal disease and other conditions can also cause vomiting. A veterinarian should evaluate a cat that regularly vomits after meals or has other symptoms such as weight loss, diarrhea, lethargy or changes in appetite.

Some Ways To Slow Down Your Cat From Eating Too Fast

1. Feed Smaller Meals More Often

One of the easiest ways to slow down a cat that eats too fast is to divide her daily food into smaller meals. Instead of giving one or two large portions, pet parents can divide the same total amount of food into three, four or even more meals throughout the day.

Smaller meals can also help prevent a cat from becoming excessively hungry between feedings. It also means that your cat has less food in front of her at one time, making it harder to gulp down a large meal.

An automatic feeder can make this strategy easier, particularly for pet parents who are away from home during the day. Some automatic feeders can dispense multiple small portions throughout the day, which can encourage a much slower and more natural eating pattern.

2. Try a Slow Feeder for Cats

A slow feeder can help cats that inhale their food. These bowls contain ridges, raised sections or compartments that make it more difficult for a cat to scoop up large amounts of food at once.

Slow feeders are beneficial for cats that finish their meals in just a few minutes. Instead of being able to immediately gulp down a pile of food, your cat has to work around the bowl's design to reach each piece.

Make sure to choose a feeder that is appropriate for cats and easy to clean. Some cats may become frustrated with complicated designs, so a simple slow-feeding bowl can sometimes work better than one with an extremely intricate pattern.

3. Use a Food Puzzle or Interactive Feeder

Food puzzles can turn mealtime into an activity rather than a race. Instead of placing all of the food in a traditional bowl, you can use an interactive feeder that requires your cat to paw, move or manipulate something to access her meal.

This approach can slow eating AND provide mental stimulation. It may be especially helpful for indoor cats that do not get many opportunities to engage in natural hunting behaviors or don’t play a lot on their own.

When introducing a puzzle feeder, start with an easy design. Once your cat understands how it works, you can gradually introduce something more challenging. The goal is to make eating slower and more interesting, not frustrating.

4. Spread Your Cat's Food Out

You don’t necessarily need a special bowl to slow down a fast eater. Simply spreading your cat's food across a larger plate can make a difference.

When food sits in one concentrated pile, a hungry cat can quickly scoop up mouthful after mouthful. A wide, shallow plate or appropriately designed feeding mat can spread the food out and encourage your cat to take smaller bites.

For wet food, spreading a thin layer across a plate can make it much more difficult to gulp down large mouthfuls. Just make sure the feeding surface is safe, clean and easy for your cat to access.

5. Consider Feeding Your Cat Separately From Other Cats

If you have more than on cat at home, it’s natural that some cats compete for food and eat much faster than they normally would. Even cats that appear to get along may feel pressure to finish their food before another cat gets to it.

If you have multiple cats, try feeding them in separate areas. Giving each cat a quiet space to eat can remove the perceived need to compete.

In some households, simply placing food bowls several feet apart works. Other cats may need to eat in separate rooms with the doors closed. The right arrangement depends on how strongly each cat reacts to the presence of the others.

Should You Take Food Away From a Cat That Eats Too Fast?

It is generally better to change how you offer the food rather than repeatedly taking the bowl away while your cat is eating. Removing food can make some cats more anxious about mealtime and may actually encourage them to eat even faster when food becomes available again.

Instead, offer smaller portions, use a slow feeder or divide the daily ration into multiple meals. The goal is to create a predictable feeding routine that helps your cat feel secure while naturally slowing down her eating.

When Fast Eating Could Point to a Bigger Problem

A cat that has always eaten quickly and otherwise seems healthy may simply have developed a fast-eating habit. However, a sudden increase in appetite deserves more attention.

Certain medical conditions can cause cats to become unusually hungry, including diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism and some gastrointestinal problems. Increased hunger can also occur alongside weight loss, increased thirst, increased urination or other changes in behavior.

Vomiting after meals also deserves attention when it happens frequently. A cat that repeatedly throws up food, loses weight, has diarrhea, becomes lethargic or shows other changes should receive a veterinary examination rather than simply being given a slow feeder.

How Long Should It Take a Cat to Eat?

There is no single amount of time that every cat should take to finish a meal. Cats have different eating habits, and some naturally eat faster than others.

The bigger concern is whether your cat consistently gulps down food, appears uncomfortable afterward or repeatedly vomits shortly after eating. If your cat finishes the meal almost instantly and regularly brings up undigested food afterward, slowing her eating is a worthwhile goal.

Final Thoughts on Cats That Eat Too Fast

In order to stop your cat from eating too fast, usually comes down to making meals smaller, and hopefully slower and more engaging. Dividing food into several meals, using a slow feeder or puzzle feeder, spreading food across a plate and feeding cats separately can all help reduce rapid eating.

Most importantly, pay attention to what happens after your cat eats. An occasional episode of vomiting after gulping down a meal may happen, but frequent vomiting is not something to simply accept as part of being a fast eater.  And that’s when it’s time to schedule a veterinarian appointment.