My last two cats were free fed all their lives. I learned early it wasn't going to work with these two. They were eating constantly so they are on a feeding schedule. I've always called them with "OK kittens LETS GO!" They also know "small snack" I have to watch it sometimes because they really recognize these words. The other day I said "kittens doing ok" and they flew toward their eating area when it wasn't time to eat. They'll always be kittens to me. They are 6 now.
I never had to call my cats...when they heard me opening their food, they came. Pickles only comes if he hears me opening any people food. Doesn't run to his food, eats it when he feels like it. His ears perk up to the words eat, treat and chicken.
Izzy is always by my side, so there is no need to call him, and he knows that if mommy is eating, so is he. But there are times when I get hung up in whatever I'm doing, and I forget to put his food out. If I haven't done so by 2:00, Izzy will crawl into my lap, then get right up in my face, and he starts licking his lips until I get the idea.
Chipper always has small-kibble dry food so that he and Tootsie can snack anytime during the day that they are hungry. Since Chipper is old now, and can't chew like he used to, he also gets soft canned food once a day. First thing in the morning, when I get my cup of coffee, Chipper wants his bowl of cream; so I put a little bit of kibble in his bowl to soften it, and add the cream. If I am out of cream, then he will settle for milk; but he much prefers cream, the thicker the better. Whenever we eat anything, Chipper always shares my meal, and there are leftovers that both Chipper and Tootsie can have, too. At bedtime, after they have made their last trip outside, they both have a part of a hot dog for their bedtime treat. When we still had Twiggy, she and Tootsie would start hanging around my chair and telling me that it was bedtime, any time after 8PM. They just loved those bedtime snacks ! !
I forgot to add that Pickles eats with me also. No matter what I'm eating he gets a little of it if it's ok for dogs.
Lordy do we not spoil our furry friendsRadar expects dinner at 4:30pm. If I forget he will come set in front of me and look over in direction of his bowl.Or he will come to me dancing around until I have filled his bowl.Even if left overs in his bowl..he wants fresh.Radar thinks he is a cat...he crawls around on the recliner until he has positioned hisself on arm rest. If you have a snack he thinks he should have some also.Wish I could clone him...wonderful loveable little ChiWeenie!
Pickles gives his empty bowl a kick with his nose. It's ceramic and on my tile floor so it makes lots of noise...I'm surprised he hasn't broken it yet.
Hollering "food food" at 5pm brings Ranger running doing 60MPH for his canned food. The rest of the day he is satisfied with dry. Yelling "milky" he knows he gets to lap up the remnants of the cereal bowl.
Mine also...Radar likes to clean out the yogurt carton... small ones and his tiny face looks funny stuck in there
Looks like our pets have US pretty well trained! I keep their food in the pots and pan cupboard where I go the least. Sometimes if I go in that cupboard they are on it but they also recognize "NO" and seem to understand no food at the time. I'll let my tabby lick the plate sometimes. My calico is not so interested. My tabby has pawed food off my plate a few times.