Feline Food Aggression

Aggressive protecting of food is well-documented in dogs, but resource-guarding isn't exclusive to the canine world. Cats, too, can have intensely possessive food behaviors. If a feline fears the food in front of him is in jeopardy, he may get aggressive.

  1. Purpose of Food-Guarding

    • Even if your cat is completely well-fed, he still's a prey consumer innately, which means he'll be instinctively on the prowl regardless. If he's a former stray or a rescue animal, he may have firsthand experience with deprivation and battling other cats for sustenance. If your sweet kitty has a habit of getting aggressive when people or pets come near while he's eating, he is displaying typical food-guarding behavior. Your cat wants to keep all others away from his food, whether they be the wee new kitten in your home or a longtime furry BFF. He doesn't want to share -- he wants it all, end of story.

    Keeping Things Apart

    • Food aggression is common in households with more than one cat and is rare in other situations. Even if your cats seem to get along for the most part, sustenance rivalry can bring out the worst in them, from hissing to outright physical attacks with scratching and biting. Stop these unpleasant and hazardous scenarios from taking place by making sure all of your cats have individual food bowls spaced well apart from one another. If necessary, feed your pets in different locations throughout your household. When one cat is following a special diet, he may become jealous of the other cat's more appetizing meal, or vice versa. If one has no idea what the other is eating, however, jealousy is less likely to occur.

    Status

    • If the cats in your household have worked out a social system, food aggression may not be a problem. The top cat eats first, and the rest of the guys come after him. Fighting often breaks out, though, when cats haven't come up with a ranking system. When this occurs, daily mealtimes can turn into ugly battles instead of times of relaxation.

    Other Guarding Aggression

    • Aggressive guarding behaviors in felines are not limited to food. Felines can get possessive and territorial about many different things in their space, including litter boxes, prized toys, bedding and even humans. The words "sharing" and "cats" don't often work so well together.

    Professional Assistance

    • If you're concerned your cats' food aggression is so severe that one may harm another, do not wait around. Immediately seek the assistance of a qualified and reputable feline behavioral expert. Seek a recommendation from your veterinarian.