How do you know if your cat is hungry? This is a common question, mainly because most owners tend to leave the food jars full, so there is no time for the animal to feel hungry. But this is not always the case: the cat asking for food will try to get the attention of the owner with loud and short meows - sometimes even accompanied by a cry.

The problem is that seeing an overly hungry cat immediately raises the alarm, as it is unusual and can be linked to a number of diseases and disorders. If you have a cat eating a lot and want to know what it can mean, we have separated 5 explanations behind the behavior. check out!

1) Very hungry cat may be lacking nutrients

There are different types of cat food on the pet market. Some are more nutritious - and a little more expensive - while others come with simpler nutrients and are cheaper. The point is that usually the cheaper versions do not completely meet the needs of the pets and do not satiate as much, so the result can be a cat asking for food all the time.

The ideal is to always opt for a more complete, balanced feed that has all the nutrients essential for the health of the animal, such as premium and super premium feed. Although they are a little more expensive, the cost-benefit is worth it.

2) Very hungry cat is sometimes a sign of diabetes

Diabetes mellitus can leave cats eating a lot and feeling very hungry. This is because the body is unable to absorb glucose (sugar) and turn it into energy. As a consequence, cats eat all the time in an attempt to regain the missing energy. In addition to increased appetite, other indications of diabetes in cats are increased urination, excessive thirst and weight loss.If you observe these symptoms, seek veterinary advice.

3) Hyperthyroidism may be related to the cat eating too much

Another disease that deserves attention is hyperthyroidism in cats. It is an endocrine disease that affects the thyroid gland and causes an overproduction of hormones, causing an imbalance in the body. One of the main signs of hyperthyroidism is a very hungry cat, but it is also possible to notice other changes such as weight loss, hyperactivity, excessive thirst, vomiting and vomiting.The ideal is to seek professional help to confirm the diagnosis of the disease and enter the appropriate treatment.

4) Boredom, anxiety and depression often make the cat hungry

Psychological disorders can also affect your pet, and sometimes the result is a cat that eats too much. Moving, for example, can cause stress and anxiety in the animal, and alter its appetite. Depression in cats is another problem that can make cats take it out on food, as well as boredom. So always watch your cat's behaviour! Environmental enrichmentwith mental and physical stimuli are usually great allies to prevent these problems from happening.

5) Other health problems make the cat very hungry

Sometimes intestinal problems - such as a cat with ringworm - can result in an exaggerated and insatiable hunger. This change in appetite can be explained in two ways: either the amount of worms present in the pet's body is quite large; or they are worms - such as roundworm - that block the absorption of some nutrients and end up making the cat very hungry. Other signs of a cat with ringworm toto watch out for are: vomiting, diarrhea, sudden weight loss and cat dragging its butt on the floor.

6) If it is a cat asking for food even with a full pot, the problem is in the storage of the food

Excessive meowing is not always a sign of an overly hungry cat. In fact, another reason cats ask for food even when the feeder is full is because they don't want the food in the bowl. Because the feline sense of smell and taste is very sensitive, when food is left out for too long it can end up losing its taste, crunch and smell. In other words, it becomes totally uninterestingfor the pet.

The tip is to place a certain amount of food for the cat to eat at pre-established times, and then store what is left over. This way the storage of the food will not compromise the taste or smell of the grains, and the feline will eat what is left over at another opportunity.