We get it.
You feed them.
They eat.
And five seconds later, they act like they’ve never been fed in their entire lives.
Cue the begging. The scavenging. The plate-licking. The dramatic hovering. Maybe even snagging a bite off their sibling’s plate like it’s fair game.
First things first: You aren't doing anything wrong. Despite their award-winning performance, your cat is almost certainly not starving. So, why the constant demand for more?
Is my cat actually hungry?
If your cat eats Marro, here’s the reassuring part:
Marro is complete and balanced.
That means it contains everything your cat needs - high quality protein, hydration, precise caloric energy needed to fuel those inevitable midnight zoomies.
We consulted our in-house vet nurse, and in the vast majority of cases, begging isn’t driven by a physical need for more food. Usually, it’s linked to something else entirely.
So… why the begging?
For many cats, behaviours like overeating, scavenging for human scraps, or guarding the bowl are rarely about hunger. Instead, they are often triggered by:
Boredom or a lack of mental engagement and stimulation.
Routine fixation (knowing they'll be fed their dinner or treats at a certain time and hanging around until then)
Perceived competition from other pets in the house
Biologically, cats are "opportunistic feeders." In the wild, they don't know when their next hunt will be successful, so their brains are hardwired to eat whenever food is available. Even in a cosy home environment, that ancient instinct doesn't always know when to switch off.
And in multi-cat households? It only gets amplified.
Multi-cat homes: when food becomes a competition sport
Even if your cats are the best of friends, their instincts remain competitive. When resources are involved, it can quickly become "every cat for themselves."
The presence of other cats or dogs in the home, or even seeing a neighbourhood cat through the window, can trigger a sense of scarcity. Even when there is plenty of food to go around, this perceived competition can lead to:
Eating too fast (inhaling food).
Hissing or staring down housemates during meals.
Hovering near the kitchen or food storage, worried when they'll be able to get their next fix
What can help?
Here are tried-and-true ways to redirect food obsession and give your cat’s brain something better to do.
1. Feed separately (in multi-cat/pet homes)
Feeding cats in separate areas helps reduce competition and makes mealtimes calmer for everyone. Microchip feeders are a real game-changer - they only open for the cat they’re programmed to recognise, so there’s no stealing, no stress, and no drama. Each bowl is linked to your cat’s microchip, so only the right cat can access the food.
2. Smaller, more frequent meals
Splitting the daily allowance into smaller portions reduces the constant anticipation of:
“When is food coming next?”
We recommend feeding 3–4 times a day to spread their calories evenly.
If your human schedule doesn’t allow it, automatic or timed feeders can help - though they’re trickier and less appealing with fresh food like Marro. We'd suggest leaving Marro out for around 2 hours for the best quality, but we have some customers who pop ice packs in their feeder.
3. Puzzle feeders & scatter feeding
Eating doesn’t have to be passive and boring.
Puzzle feeders, lick mats, and slow-feeders mimic hunting instincts and turn meals into a challenge.
Think: hunt → eat → relax. Just how they like it.
4. Interactive play before meals
A short play session before eating can burn off nervous energy and reduce fixation.
Wand toys, catnip, or anything that mimics hunting works beautifully.
Many cats settle more calmly afterward and beg less.
(Ps, my cat personally loves a scrunched up piece of paper to chase, so it doesn't have to break the bank to provide an enjoyable playtime experience)
5. Add enrichment outside mealtimes
A cat that is mentally fulfilled is far less likely to obsess over the bowl. Window perches, toy rotations, or even "cat TV" (bird videos) can provide the stimulation they need to stop viewing food as their only source of entertainment and you can satisfy their hunting instinct.
Our Advice
Marro is calorie-dense and formulated to support a healthy weight, but if your cat’s begging is accompanied by weight loss, hair loss, or sudden behavioural shifts, we always recommend a quick check-up with your vet. You know your cat best.
At Marro, we consider the whole cat, both body and brain. Our sign-up calculator is designed to find the perfect portion size for your cat's specific needs, and we can review their plan at any time to ensure they stay satisfied and healthy; keeping their weight up to date will play a key role in getting their portions right.
You can size up your cat's portions in account anytime and our team can do this for you too, so you are not locked into one portion plan forever, as we say, you know your cat best.
Our helpful Customer Love team is always here to chat.