Kitty feeding problem

[bernabrook]

I have 5 cats in my apartment, 4 are mine and one is a foster kitty.The only problem i have that i cannot find a solution to is when one of my cats, Hobbes, eats he uses his paw to pick up the wet food and tosses it everywhere. It goes all over the walls, floor, everywhere!
i cant think of anyway to break him of this really terrible habit (aside from building a box or something for them to eat in).
anyone else have any ideas? he's driving me nuts!

[Traci]

It may be because he doesn't like the dish it is being served in, in which, try a shallow dish (preferrably stainless steel dish to help prevent feline acne). Cats generally don't like their whiskers touching anything when they are eating, so a more shallow dish may be helpful.

Also, rule out possible oral health problems...if cats have diseased teeth or gingivitis, periodontitis, etc, then they may have trouble picking up their food with their teeth, therefore they will try to use their paws. If your kitty hasn't been examined by your vet within the last 6 months to a year, now would be a good time to do so.

[bernabrook]

thanks , i wouldnt have thought about a possible mouth problem.
i feed them with a paper dish so his whiskers cant be touching the sides. ill take him to the vet soon to see if theres a problem, i dont think so because he;s dome this all the time(3 years) i've had him.
i think i might have to buld a box with a removable, washable lining to put their food in.

[Traci]

Before you go to the trouble with building a surround for the dishes, (this may in fact cause him or the other cats to avoid the eating area, their feeding area should not be confined)....change the dish. Paper plates have a strange texture that many cats do not like, so please invest in a stainless steel dish, you can find them at any pet store, they come in various sizes.

A vet exam would be good idea to ensure his oral health is optimum.

[bernabrook]

i have used a cardboard box to enclose their food area before, they didnt have a problem. so i will try that again after his vet visit.
i have other feeding dishes, and i have treid all different kinds, so i dont think thats it.