Polite Cats Display Perfect Manners Sharing a Meal

At first viewing, this looks like a remarkable display of feline manners. However, there is probably a bit more to this clip. The footage has likely been played backward, so the cats are actually pulling the dish toward them rather than pushing it away. Nevertheless, they are sharing very politely for two hungry carnivores!

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Do Cats Normally Share Food?

Multi-cat households can have problems at mealtimes. While some kitties are willing to share, like the cats in this clip, others are not so accommodating. There is a type of behavior called ‘food aggression’ in cats. This is where cats show aggressive behavior towards other pets (or even people) who are close to their food. The behavior has its basis in anxiety but is manifested around mealtimes. It is the feline equivalent of ‘guarding’ in dogs. The behavior is the exact opposite of these laid-back kitties.

What Are the Symptoms of Food Aggression in Cats?

A cat with food aggression will display aggressive behavior that is focused on their food. Here are some signs to look out for:

• Guarding the food bowl or the general location where it is.
• Growling and hissing when eating.
• Forcing other pets away from the bowl.
• Eating quickly or over-eating.
• Constantly begging for food.
• Ripping open food and treat bags.

Cat Food Bowl Options

The cats in this clip appear to be sharing a plastic or ceramic bowl. Plastic bowls are a popular choice for cats because they are robust and relatively cheap. However, they do have some disadvantages. Some cats have developed a reaction to the plastic used in pet food bowls. They get a kind of acne on their chins, which can progress to being painful and itchy. Initially, experts thought that this was an allergy to the plastic, but now think that it is caused by contact with bacteria that have built up on the plastic. Unfortunately, plastic can get scratched, and that makes it very hard to clean properly.

An alternative material is ceramic which can be cleaned easily and can be put in your dishwasher. The only problem is that it can get smashed easily. Finally, stainless steel bowls are both hygienic and robust. It may help if you use a feeding mat to stop the bowl from moving around when your kitty is eating. Some cats can be put off by all the movement and noise!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © PHOTOCREO Michal Bednarek/Shutterstock.com