The Kibble Junkie

By two years of age, Zoey was maintaining her pleasantly plump figure on a daily bowl of kibble with a side of wet food. To her veterinarian, Zoey’s weight had become “less than ideal.” But to her owner, she was perfect. Affectionate, sweet-natured, and playful, Zoey was a loving friend and companion the owner wanted only to make happy. Zoey reciprocated with charm and a bottomless appetite for her owner’s generous food offerings. By the time her annual birthday checkup rolled around, Zoey had rolled into overweight territory. She returned from the vet’s office with a list of diet kibble recommendations.

According to her anxious owner, Zoey took one bite of the new kibble and meowed piteously. Whether or not the look on her human’s face left an impression, Zoey used pleading as a one-way ratchet to extra servings.

Annual checkups came and went as Zoey continued her slide to the bottom of the weight chart. Along the way young Zena joined the family as a companion and, hopefully, playful distraction for Zoey. The cats got along well though Zoey’s weight and middle age easily exhausted her interest. The best she could manage was the occasional ambush as Zena rounded a corner. But every day Zoey would plant herself in the kitchen hours before their owner returned home to serve dinner, using her bulk to block the younger cat’s access to their food. Zena adjusted, learning to bide her time. Unlike her housemate, Zena was sleek and self-regulating, willing to wait for nature to call Zoey away from the kitchen.

But the owner felt sorry for Zoey and believed switching to a 12-cup gravity feeder would keep her happy. Unfortunately Zoey had spent a lifetime emptying her kibble bowl and never stopped trying to reach the bottom.

The photo shows Zoey at eleven-years-old leaning against the kitchen wall. My aim was to capture her right leg up in the air as she groomed her nether regions but I wasn’t quick enough. As for five-year-old Zena, she chose not to be personally available when outsiders were present. The closest I ever got was a framed photo of a trim and lovely black and white cat.

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Did You Know?

As a pet sitter I have seldom encountered owners that use gravity or automatic feeders. And that’s a good thing. Feeders can malfunction, can be tipped over, and can encourage overeating. Feeders can also encourage food guarding. As for their maintenance, feeders in general — and auto feeders in particular — are a bear to clean. Which may explain why some owners don’t bother.

But clean they should be. Pet kibble is a high fat food that leaves behind an oily residue that supports bacterial growth.

But if a feeder is the only way to go, please consider a unit with an opaque food container. Kibble is a highly processed food that has enemies, namely, air, light, temperature, and humidity. Maintaining optimum kibble freshness means keeping it cool, dry, and in the dark.