DTE Answers to Common Questions About Cats and Dogs. Part 012 by Nene Ajayi

 

🐕“They Always Look Hungry!”

The Truth About Pet Begging, Overfeeding, and the Power of Scheduled Meals

 

It was Saturday morning, and my compound was unusually quiet.

My husband had taken the kids to his cousin’s naming ceremony in Epe, leaving me with my zobo, my peace of mind, and — unfortunately, three furry freeloaders who thought today was cheat day.

The moment I opened the oven to check on my sweet potato pies, it began.

Blaze, my golden retriever, performed his usual silent but emotionally manipulative routine: sitting perfectly still, eyes wide and watery, tail sweeping slowly like a metronome of guilt.

Raya, my Basenji with the face of a monk and the appetite of a bottomless pit, started pacing like a worried accountant.

And Stu, the cat with attitude and a superiority complex, meowed in slow, spaced-out syllables, as though reciting an ancient curse.

“You guys just ate less than an hour ago,” I said, defending myself to creatures who don’t pay rent.

Raya did a soft barkless whine, her signature sound. Blaze raised one paw in protest. Stu knocked down my measuring cup.

I almost gave in. Again.

But I remembered what happened the last time I surrendered to those guilt-trip eyes: Blaze threw up, Raya had a food bloat scare, and Stu snubbed everyone for three days because her plate was too full.

I stood my ground.

That was when I whispered to myself the question that has saved me more times than I can count…

 Are They Actually Hungry… or Just Very Good Actors?

🧠 Did You Know?

In a study published by Cambridge University, scientists found a gene (POMC) linked to increased food motivation in some dogs. But for most pets, begging is not hunger, it's performance. They learn: “If I look pitiful, I get jollof.”

Cats, being expert manipulators, have also evolved a special meow frequency that triggers a caregiving response in humans — basically, they know how to guilt-trip you on a biological level. Thanks, Stu.

🧾 What I Know Now:

✅ Begging is mostly behavior, not real hunger.

✅ Overfeeding leads to obesity, pain, and organ problems.

✅ Free-feeding pets shortens their lifespan.

✅ Scheduled meals = healthier pets.

✅ You’re not cruel when you say no, you're wise.

🔄 What I Now Practice and Swear By:

✅ Strict Schedule Feeding – 7:30 AM & 6 PM. No mid-morning snacks unless it's carrot day.

✅ No Leftovers from My Plate – Not even puff puff crumbs (which they used to fight over).

✅ Use of a Pet Food Scale – Because “eyeballing it” made Raya look like a football.

✅ Low-Cal Treats Only – Freeze-dried fish, apple slices, and vet-approved chewies.

✅ Exercise Before Feeding – They earn their meals now. This isn’t a buffet.

📌 Take This Seriously:

🔹Just because they look hungry doesn't mean they are hungry.

 🔹Think about how many times you check the fridge out of boredom.

 🔹Now imagine doing that with four legs and zero willpower.

🔹Most pet health issues start with food.

 Control that, and you’ve controlled 80% of their wellbeing.

🔗 Helpful Links So You Don’t Guess Again

🛒 Digital Pet Food Scale – My best pet-parent purchase ever.

🛒 Slow-Feeding Bowl – For Blaze, the speed-eating champion.

🛒 Vet-Approved Healthy Treats – Raya will do backflips for these.

🐾 How That Saturday Ended

Despite their impressive acting, I held the line.

“Raya,” I said gently, “go lie down. You’ll eat when the big hand reaches 6.”

She huffed but obeyed.

Blaze sighed dramatically and rolled over like someone who had accepted his fate.

Stu walked off with a tail flick that screamed, “You’ll regret this.”

By evening, their hunger was real, their behavior better, and their digestion smooth. I even noticed Raya’s bloated belly had finally started flattening out since I began controlled feeding. Small win, big impact.

✨ Final Thoughts

Scheduled meals keep your pets healthy, emotionally balanced, and less manipulative.

 Resist those eyes. Build a routine.

 You’ll thank yourself later when your pet is 10 years old and still chasing lizards like a puppy.

🔜 Next Blog Post:

““Ew, What’s That?!”

Checking Pets for Ticks, Bites, and Stings Without Losing Your Mind (Or Lunch)”

 A true test of love to see how far you'd go to rid your pets of outdoor pests. 

😂 Affiliate Disclosure

Some of the links above are affiliate links. If you click and buy, I earn a few naira that go toward Blaze’s football fund, Stu’s mood swings, and Raya’s chew toy therapy. Support your girl 😅

And just in case you're just joining us, here's where to find the rest of the series.

Until next time, 

Exercise your will power by saying no to those in-between-meal eaters, while sipping on cold zobo and munching on cookies,

 Nene Ajayi ✌️