October 17, 2007

A Clean, Well-Rounded Bowl

Well, after three entries about Buddhism and Buddhist holidays and coping with Buddhist crackdowns, I have a question about the cats:

I am curious to know if anyone here can explain the feline reasoning behind my cats' preference for "rounded" dry food, as opposed to dry food which has been eaten down into a well-shaped dent inside the bowl. I don't understand it - it's the same damn food. Why does it have to be shaped a particular way?

One of my cats in particular will actually call my attention to the food bowl when there is plenty of food in there - it's just sort of crowded around the sides of the bowl and "eaten down" in the middle. He won't eat the dry food until I fill up the hole, and the food is rounded on the top. I don't know why this is, but I recall similar cats on TV. Back when I watched television, there was an ad for some high-end cat food, which showed a white persian eating a round scoop of the preferred food from a crystal dish - a perfectly rounded top seemed to do the trick in tempting kitty to the meal. Why is this? If any reader here can explain this behavior, I will send you a free litter scoop.

Thank you. Enquiring minds want to know. I'll get back to Buddhism later this week.

Byrd in LA

Posted by wahzoh at October 17, 2007 05:44 PM
Comments

Probably something to do with the tongue action against a curved surface...
I'm a pediatrician not a vet-- although some think the two specialties are very similar:)
BTW don't you have a favorite cup, plate to eat out of... many babies and kids do...

Posted by: Dr. Mimi at October 17, 2007 07:16 PM

I dunno, Byrd -

It sounds like your cats are doing a good job of training you!

Namaste, Engyo Mike Barrett

Posted by: Engyo Mike Barrett at October 18, 2007 07:18 AM

Hey, if you can figure out cats, you can probably figure out women, too.

We have a female that will only eat dry food. Real Chicken, tuna, beef - turns up her nose. She will eat beef livers if they are cooked just right.

We have a male who will eat anything - loves french fries, donuts and oatmeal.

The piling thing may be more about insisting on fresh food, rather than it's shape.

Posted by: Vanya at October 18, 2007 11:58 AM

Hm.... maybe they seek a well rounded life in all ways?

My cats are rather inscrutable. One eats only dry food, one loves spinach and walnuts. All of them prefer a metal water bowl. Go figure.

Posted by: Kris at October 18, 2007 09:50 PM

So far, I think Vanya has the ticket - it's probably all about freshness, not just about shape.

Back to Buddhism tomorrow.

Thanks for your insights, Byrd in LA

Posted by: Byrd in LA at October 19, 2007 02:24 PM

There's something about the shape. I can usually approach a bowl that has lost it's round shape, and rather than put fresh food on top of old food, I'll go in with my finger and noisily move the food around. That bring cats from all directions, yes, even if they are outside. They believe I've just put fresh food in the bowl. It's a winner, and works every time, unless there is a witness. Then, all eyes are on me with a "yea, right" expression. Better luck next time.

Posted by: Ashley at October 20, 2007 07:35 PM