For one cause or one other, animals all the time appear to love meals that doesn’t belong to them. Maybe canines assume that cat meals tastes higher or that the meals that doesn’t belong to them is all the time tastier!
Both manner, your canine breaking into your cat’s meals could be significantly troublesome. Not solely is it prone to upset your cat, nevertheless it can also trigger well being issues to your canine. Cat meals shouldn't be designed for canines, in spite of everything!
Fortunately, there are a number of methods you can break your canine’s cat meals habits. By using preventative measures and coaching your canine, you may forestall future cat meals robberies.
Table of Contents
The 9 Methods to Maintain Your Canine Out of Your Cat’s Meals
1. Put the Cat Meals on a Desk
You probably have a small canine, it may be as straightforward as placing your cat’s meals up on a raised desk. Most cats can soar onto tables simply, canines much less so. That stated, massive canines usually can attain cat meals positioned up excessive.
Stools and small finish tables work nicely for this goal. We don’t suggest using a desk that you simply sometimes don’t need your cat on, just like the eating desk. Permitting your cat up there to eat typically and never at different occasions could be complicated. Subsequently, put money into a desk particularly to your cat’s meals if you happen to resolve to make use of this methodology.
2. Set up a Canine-Proof Gate
Alternatively, you may maintain your canine out of the cat feeding space utilizing a gate. That is much like putting the cat meals someplace excessive, besides you may forestall your canine’s entry to a complete room and never simply the cat meals bowl.
Relying on the setup of your own home, this can be simpler than utilizing a desk.
There are various gates on the market that may forestall entry to your canine whereas enabling entry to your feline. Usually, cats can soar over gates, primarily if you happen to use a smaller gate. There are additionally gates with small, cat-sized doorways, an ideal choice for big canines.
Some skinny cats can match by means of gates with vertical bars, whereas most canines can not.
3. Set up a Cat Door
Putting in a cat door can be an acceptable answer, relying on the place you retain your cat’s meals. In case your cat’s meals is already in a room with a closeable door, this answer could be simple. Nevertheless, putting in a cat door could be considerably difficult. It primarily will depend on the mannequin that you simply get. In some circumstances, you could have to contact knowledgeable.
This methodology additionally doesn’t work nicely for small canines. Usually, they will simply match by means of the cat door!
4. Use a Canine-Proof Latch
You probably have a bigger canine, you may as well use a closeable door as its barrier. Buy a dog-proof latch and set up it. These latches maintain the door open barely, sufficient for a cat to suit by means of. Nevertheless, massive canines can’t match by means of the opening and due to this fact, can’t entry your cat’s meals.
Normally, these latches use sticky pads to stick to both facet of the door, to allow them to be connected or eliminated simply.
Small canines will match by means of the opening, so this answer doesn’t work for them. In case your canine is about the identical dimension as your cat, you’ll have to make use of a unique methodology.
5. Get a Canine-Proof Feeding Station
There are a number of dog-proof feeding stations on the market. Whereas these stations are practically fool-proof, they are often exceedingly costly. Usually, these stations use a sensor of some type to detect what animal is there. They're solely open for the “right” animal, which might be your cat, on this case.
Relying on the design, although, some cats may refuse to make use of the station. For example, some require your cat to undergo a small space. In case your cat sometimes doesn’t like enclosed areas, this isn’t going to work!
6. Use a Puzzle Feeder
In some circumstances, your feline might be able to determine a puzzle feeder, whereas your canine is totally left at nighttime. These feeders could be good for preserving the meals away out of your canine as a result of they received’t have the ability to get it out to start with!
Nevertheless, this solely works in case your cat is extra clever than your canine.
Plus, some massive canines might be able to break the toy or shake it till it offers up its treasure. Different canines might wait to your cat to get out the meals after which chase them away, taking the meals for themselves.
It can be tough for cats to get out sufficient meals for a full meal. Most puzzle feeders additionally don’t work with moist meals.
7. Feed Your Cat on a Schedule
Alternatively, you would feed your cat on a schedule if you happen to’re presently free-feeding. Canines are more likely to seize your cat’s meals if you happen to go away it out. When it’s all the time accessible, it’s straightforward to your canine to sneak in and seize it.
Feeding on a schedule makes your canine’s job rather more tough. Ideally, you must feed your cat and supervise till they're finished. Then, take away the meals.
This methodology eliminates your canine’s capability to steal the meals. It’s fool-proof, so long as you're round to oversee.
Whereas scheduled feedings do forestall your canine from stealing the meals, they could additionally upset your cat. In case your feline is all of the sudden denied around-the-clock entry to meals, they in all probability aren’t going to be too blissful!
Scheduled feedings additionally take additional day trip of your day. You'll be able to’t simply fill the bowl up and go away. Supervision is required for this methodology.
Switching to scheduled feeding from free-feeding could be difficult! However if you happen to’ve tried different strategies with out success, it could be the easiest way to forestall meals snatching.
8. Feed Each Pets on the Similar Time
In some circumstances, feeding each pets collectively will assist resolve the issue. In case your canine has their meals, then there's much less of an opportunity that they’ll fear in regards to the cat’s meals. Hopefully, your cat can have sufficient time to complete their meals earlier than your canine is hungry sufficient to develop into once more.
This does require scheduling each animals’ meals. Canines usually devour their meals as quickly as it's positioned in entrance of them, whereas cats are typically slower eaters.
So, supervision is usually required, particularly in case your canine is exceptionally food-driven. They could not care that they only obtained fed!
9. Present Psychological Stimulation
Generally, your canine might go after your cat’s meals as a result of they’re bored, not as a result of they’re hungry.
Many canines require extra psychological stimulation than their homeowners notice. When a bored canine is left to their very own units, they usually attempt to make their very own leisure, which can nicely contain consuming greater than they should. Your cat’s meals could also be a easy answer for bored canines.
Including puzzle feeders, additional coaching, and companionship to your canine’s day might assist curb their disruptive behaviors.
This methodology solely works for canines that aren’t tremendous food-driven, although. Some canines are going to eat meals every time it’s accessible, just because they will!
Ultimate Ideas
Each time meals is on the market, some canines are going to eat it. Many breeds are extraordinarily food-driven.
Your canine consuming your cat’s meals may cause all types of points, although. For example, weight problems can happen in case your canine consumes additional meals over the long run. Additionally, your cat in all probability doesn’t like their meals being stolen.
Fortunately, there are a lot of issues that you are able to do to forestall this drawback. For example, you may make your cat’s meals unavailable by putting it behind a barrier or placing it up excessive. Generally, superior puzzle feeders could also be vital.
Featured Picture Credit score: Jaromir Chalabala, Shutterstock