While some kitties delicately nibble their dinner, others seem to inhale it as though they haven't eaten for weeks! It can be a little unnerving if your cat doesn’t chew food, but is it actually problematic or just another quirky feline behaviour?
Cat dentistry 101
To understand if it’s a problem that your cat doesn't chew food, we need to know more about how their teeth and jaws work. Unlike us humans, cats are obligate carnivores, which means they must eat meat to get all the nutrients they require. And this difference is visible in their fangs.
If you peek inside your kitty’s mouth, you’ll notice that their teeth are sharper and more pointed than yours. That’s because they’re optimised to pierce the skin of their prey and tear through flesh. Even though our pampered pets no longer need to hunt, evolution has made them experts at it! Conversely, they don’t have flat grinding surfaces like our molars, because these are primarily for breaking down plant material. All of which means that your cat doesn't chew food in the same way you do.
If you’re wondering about your moggy’s incisors – those tiny teeth between their canine fangs – they have their own special purposes. Cats use these for precision tasks like grooming themselves, picking up objects, and gripping their prey. Some kitties also use them when play-fighting!
Another difference between us and our fluffy friends is the way our jaws move. While we can move our jaws both laterally and vertically, cats can only move theirs up and down. This makes it impossible for them to grind their grub in the manner we do. Instead, you might notice your kitty tilting their head from time to time when they eat. This helps shift bigger pieces of food onto their back teeth so they’re able to cut them up.
So, does all this mean it’s normal if a cat doesn’t chew food?
Do cats need to chew their food?
The structure of their teeth and jaws may differ from ours, but that doesn’t mean your cat doesn’t chew food at all. What it does mean is that they don’t chew it as thoroughly as we do. Instead, they slice small pieces off their grub, which they then swallow whole. To ensure their body can cope with this, their stomach is highly acidic. This enables them to break down larger bits of food (as well as feathers, hair, and bone) with no problems. So your pet is far less likely to experience tummy troubles because they didn’t chew their food than you are!
Another reason for your cat not chewing dry food and certain types of wet food is the food itself. For example, a lot of kibble is so small that your moggy can gobble it down whole without any issues. Meanwhile, the soft texture of pate or mousse-style wet food doesn’t require much in the way of chewing.
However, this doesn’t mean that it’s never a cause for concern if your cat doesn't chew food. If they suddenly stop chewing their dinner or they exhibit other troubling symptoms, it could indicate a problem.
Why doesn’t my cat chew their food?
There are several potential reasons your cat doesn't chew food. Some relate to the actual act of chewing, while others are linked with excessive hunger or attempts to eat quickly. Here’s an overview of the most common explanations:
Dental issues
Perhaps the most obvious cause of a cat not chewing food is a problem with their teeth. Kitties don’t get cavities because their fangs don’t have horizontal surfaces and their diet is usually quite low in sugar. However, our feline friends are susceptible to other dental problems like gingivitis, periodontal disease, and tooth resorption. In fact, dental disease is one of the most common health issues affecting adult cats.(1) And if your cat doesn’t chew dry food but is fine eating wet food, this may well be the reason.
One of the difficulties with identifying dental problems in cats is that they tend to hide their pain. Because of this, it’s important to take them for regular check-ups at the vet. You can also try brushing their teeth if they’ll let you! If dental issues are to blame, as well as your cat not chewing dry food, you might spot symptoms like:
-
Bad breath
-
Drooling
-
Blood in the saliva
-
Pawing at their face
-
Shaking their head
-
Trouble swallowing
-
Dropping food from their mouth
-
Lack of appetite
-
Weight loss
-
Loose or missing teeth
Book a vet appointment straight away if you notice any of these. The sooner you identify the problem, the easier it will be to treat.
Stress and anxiety
Another potential explanation for why a cat doesn’t chew food is that they’re stressed out or anxious. For instance, if they share a home with other pets, they might worry that their brothers and sisters will steal their dinner. This can lead to animals wolfing their meals down so quickly that they don’t bother chewing them.
And competition for food isn’t the only reason your fluffy friend might have anxiety. A change in their environment, like moving house or welcoming a new family member, could also cause these feelings. Alternatively, it may be due to past trauma, or it could be separation anxiety if they’re left alone a lot. Again, it isn’t always easy to detect stress in our pets. Other symptoms include:
-
Destructive behaviour
-
Excessive meowing
-
Compulsive grooming
-
Hiding away
-
Being aggressive
-
Demanding attention
-
Restlessness
-
Lethargy
-
Changes in appetite or weight
-
Digestive issues
-
Toileting outside of the litter tray
You might also notice your kitty arching their back, puffing up their fur, flicking their tail from side to side, or holding their ears back.
Finally, it’s possible that your cat doesn’t chew food because they’re eating in a hurry out of boredom. This is usually the result of a lack of mental and physical stimulation. Signs of a bored kitty include attention-seeking behaviour, destructive behaviour, excessive vocalisation, repetitive behaviour, and playful aggression.
Other medical conditions
If a cat doesn’t chew food, it could be a sign that they’re eating quickly because of excessive hunger (polyphagia). As well as boredom and anxiety, this can arise due to an underlying health concern. Possibilities include hyperthyroidism, diabetes, and parasites. It might also be the result of a nutritional deficiency, or because they find their dinner doesn’t fill them up. And if your pet is on medication, there’s a chance that their change in appetite is a side effect.
In most cases where a cat doesn’t chew food because of a medical condition, that won’t be the only symptom. If you spot anything unusual about your fur baby’s behaviour or health, take them to the vet.
When to visit a vet about your cat not chewing food
Our feline companions don’t chew food in the same manner we do. And if your kitty has always eaten this way, it’s likely nothing to worry about. However, if they suddenly stop chewing their food or exhibit other concerning symptoms – like those discussed above – consult a vet. They’ll be able to check for dental problems and other medical issues that may be altering your pet’s eating habits. This is especially important if your moggy is on medication or has an existing health condition.
Potential risks of a cat not chewing food
While it’s normal for our kitties to chew less than we do, it might cause some issues if your cat doesn’t chew food at all. As an example, swallowing large pieces of food can pose a choking risk and irritate the oesophagus.
Many of the risks relate to your moggy eating too fast, which is common when a cat doesn’t chew food. One that we’ve probably all experienced is that it may cause them to regurgitate the entire meal. This happens because they fill their stomach up with too much food and/or air. That’s easy to do because it’s only about the size of a table tennis ball. The oesophagus gets overwhelmed, and they bring up their undigested dinner.
More seriously, eating too quickly can lead to a dangerous condition called bloat. Another possibility is that speed eating contributes to overeating, which raises the risk of obesity. That’s because by the time your pet feels full, they’ve already consumed more grub than they need.
Finally, if your cat doesn’t chew dry food, they miss out on one of its potential benefits. When they chew the biscuits, the abrasive surface can help to scrape some plaque and tartar off your kitty’s fangs. Having said that, unless it's specific dental kibble, the teeth-cleaning effect of dry cat food is minimal.
As you can see, there are good reasons to want our pets to take their time over their meals. But what’s the best way to persuade your moggy to slow down and chew their dinner?
My cat doesn’t chew their food! What should I do?
Many of the tips for how to persuade your cat to chew their food relate to slowing down the pace at which they eat. For instance, you could try using a puzzle feeder or slow feeder bowl. These stop your pet from being able to gobble up all their grub at once. Puzzle feeders have the extra advantage of providing your moggy with some mental stimulation and staving off boredom. Alternatively, offering your fur baby larger kibble could encourage them to chew it. However, it can pose a choking hazard if they continue to swallow the biscuits whole.
Another option is to change your kitty's feeding schedule. In the wild, they would eat several small meals a day rather than two big ones. Replicating this at home is better for their digestive system and helps lessen the risk of obesity.
The best steps to take will depend on the reason your cat doesn’t chew food. If it’s down to boredom, set aside extra time to play with your pet and leave out more toys for them. If it’s anxiety, try to identify the stressor and remove or reduce it. As an example, if your cat doesn’t chew food because they’re worried about competition from other animals, feed them in a separate place.
Regardless of the cause of stress, ensure your moggy always has a safe and cosy spot to hide away in. You might also find it helpful to add ashwagandha powder to their diet. Studies show this plant can lower cortisol levels and stress behaviours in our feline friends.(2)
Finally, stay up to date with your pet’s flea and worm treatments to lessen the risk of nutrient-stealing parasites.
Functional foods to support your cat’s digestion
One last possibility we talked about for why your cat doesn’t chew food is a nutritional deficiency. To prevent this, as well as tackling parasites, make sure you’re feeding your pet a complete and balanced cat food. For peace of mind, you could add an extra ingredient or two to boost the nutritional content of their meals.
It might be antioxidant-rich blueberries, protein-filled scrambled eggs (unseasoned), or cooked fish bursting with omega-3. And here at Boosie, we offer functional foods specifically designed for supporting our pets’ health. For example, Jerusalem artichoke powder is jam-packed with inulin fibre that nourishes the good bacteria in your cat’s gut microbiome. Meanwhile, the omega-7 and beta-carotene in sea buckthorn oil help look after your kitty’s vision and coat.
We recommend checking with your vet before adding any functional foods to your pet’s diet. This is to verify that the ingredients are suitable for their individual needs.
Is it ok if my cat doesn’t chew food?
Thanks to the differences in their teeth and jaws, our feline friends don’t chew in the way we do. So, if your cat doesn’t chew food but shows no signs of ill health, it shouldn't be a problem. However, if your pet suddenly stops chewing their grub, take them to the vet (especially if they exhibit other symptoms). With kitties who are not chewing because they eat too quickly, try to identify the underlying cause. Once you’ve done that, you can follow the above advice to encourage them to savour their meals. Ultimately, our cats will always do things their own way – we just have to make sure they do so safely!
