Conference misery::feline_v1

2989.0. "Does bird feeder affect appitite?" by VAXWRK::SKALTSIS (Deb) Fri Oct 27 1989 11:36

    Recently, I put a bird feeder next to the garden window. In fact, it is
    about 2 feet from the garden window, and is attracting many cute
    little birds. All of the cats enjoy watching the birds, but none as
    much as the twins. To prevent scratching the wood, I've got a folded
    sheet covering the window seat, and a blanket on top of that. I'm often
    finding the twins burrowed under the blanket watching the birds (they
    have figured out that the birds wont notice them this way). They are
    making these little bird call noises, and their little jaws are
    twitching, and they are salivating while watching them. They have
    basically taken up residence there; they aren't even playing alarm clock
    anymore. (In fact, I went out the other night to fill the feeder. I
    turned the light on, and happened to glance in the window and there I
    saw 4 yellow eyes staring at me from under a blanket). I can deal with
    that, but I've nocticed that since putting up that feeder,
    Eirene and Panther have become ravenous; they are like little motorized
    eating machines. I've even increased the amount of food that I give them
    (neither has put any weight on their little Siamese frames)

    Now, I know from growing up in a rural area that often when a cat went
    hunting it would sometimes stimulate it's appetite (i.e., even after
    eating it's prey, it would be more hungry for supper).Now, I know that
    there are others out there that feed the birds. My question is, have
    you seen your cats' appetite increase since doing that?

    Deb
     
      

    Hi Deb,
    
    I've discovered the same thing since my bird feeder went up last week. 
    Julie, in particular, seems to work up an appetite watching the birds,
    especially since she chases them from one window to the other.
    
    I was a little concerned about putting up the feeder because of my
    feral cats, but I put up a round fence made of hardware cloth on the
    ground beneth the feeder and it has been quite a deterent to the cats. 
    The birds seem to enjoy the feeder and the cats seem to enjoy watching.
    
    Mary

    Mary,

    How much has her appetite increased? The twins are demanding nearly
    twice as much food as before, and have even began stealing from the
    other cats.

    Deb

    Well, Julie eats like a pig anyway, but I'd say she's eating nearly
    twice as much as usual.  Fortunately, she loves Science Diet Light and
    has maintained her girlish figure.  I've had to clear a path between
    the patio door and the bay window--everything in her way is broken
    anyhow!!
    
    Mary