Do Cats Stress Eat or Have Comfort Food?

Wondering why your cat is eating more than usual?

Increased appetite can be caused by various things. But stress generally makes cats eat less, not more. We break down the science behind your cat's appetite and how you can support them.

Key Takeaways

Plenty of things can cause cats to eat more, including boredom and stress.
However, stress usually causes cats to eat less, not more.
Cats often have preferences when it comes to food, and following those preferences is one technique to encourage them to eat more.
Other techniques to manage your cat’s appetite include Supplements to Promote Relaxation, making food more appetizing, and placing their food bowl away from their water source.

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Understanding Your Cat's Behavior

We all love our cats. And research shows they love us back!¹

Many pet parents form remarkably close bonds with their furry friends. You may well be closely attuned to your cat's body language and feel like you know what they are trying to tell you. Research suggests that understanding goes the other way, too.²

Still, our cats can sometimes behave in ways that we just don't understand. Despite our close bonds, cats are still their own creatures, with their own unique way of perceiving and interacting with the world.

That's especially true when it comes to food.

Stress Eating

Among us humans, stress eating is quite common. A survey by the Mental Health Foundation, for example, found that 46% of people ate too much (or unhealthily) because of stress.³

Multiple factors contribute to stress eating. Research has found that certain foods can cause our brains to release feel-good neurotransmitters like dopamine.⁴ In other words, comfort foods can literally make us feel better, even if they are actually unhealthy.⁵

Meanwhile, stress, especially sustained stress, causes the body to release hormones that can increase appetite.⁶

Do Stressed Cats Eat More?

On the surface, it might seem like cats would approach food in the same way.

After all, cats get stressed. Their bodies produce stress hormones, just like ours.⁷ And as we'll discuss later, cats definitely have preferences for some foods over others.

Nevertheless, cats generally don't engage in stress eating.

To be clear, every cat is different. Stress is a complex biological process that we don't fully understand yet in humans, let alone in cats.⁸

Research has found that stress can affect appetite in cats, so theoretically, a stressed cat might eat more. ⁹

However, it's far more common for stress to cause reduced appetite in cats. In fact, reduced appetite is one of the most common signs of stress in cats.¹⁰

Bonus: Phytocannabinoids for Dogs: Everything You Need to Know

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Interpreting Your Cat's Food Preferences

That's just one of the ways your cat's eating habits might differ from your own.

Remember, cats are unique. They domesticated themselves.¹¹ Regardless, they still retain many traits of their wild ancestors.

For example, many cats retain a keen predatory instinct. Research suggests that housecats can get up to 90% of their daily food intake from hunting prey.¹²

All this is reflected in the foods cats like to eat, and how they like to eat it. For example, research suggests that cats prefer food that is nutritionally similar to their natural prey.¹³ Studies have also found that cats generally prefer to eat several small meals throughout the day.¹⁴

Many factors can affect your cat's relationship with food. For example, research has found that cats tend to eat more during colder seasons.¹⁵

Common Signs of Stress in Cats

Appetite and eating habits can be affected by many things. It's therefore important to pay attention to your cat's other behaviors. That'll help you figure out whether they are stressed or if something else is going on.

Behavioral Changes

If you've ever been really stressed, you likely know how it can change your behavior. The same can be true in cats.¹⁶

The keyword here is "change." As a cat owner, you're likely the person most familiar with your cat's behavior. That makes you uniquely well placed to identify potential behavioral changes.

In the short term, stress in cats can manifest as irritability, aggression, or avoidance. Your cat might stop interacting with you or hide away.¹⁷

Stressed cats may also vocalize, scratch furniture, or generally act more alert than usual.

Excessive Grooming

One classic behavior associated with stress in cats is excessive grooming.

Now, grooming is entirely natural. Cats do it to keep themselves clean, to regulate temperature, and more.¹⁸

However, when cats are stressed, they may groom far more than usual.¹⁹

Loss of Appetite

As we mentioned, reduced appetite is one of the most common signs of stress in cats.²⁰

However, it's important to remember that reduced appetite can also be caused by other health problems. If you're uncertain, make sure to check with your veterinarian. They'll be able to help you support your furry friend.

What Cat Owners Can Do To Support Their Cats

Remember, the purpose of your cat's food is to support their physical and mental health.²¹ If they aren't eating enough, they may not be getting all the nutrients they need.

In other words, your cat's well-being is linked to your cat's weight. Weight gain and weight loss are both potential warning signs that need to be addressed.

In some cases, the underlying issues contributing to the stress can be easily identified and addressed. For example, you may have recently moved to a new house, and your cat's stress is coming from this sudden change in environment.

In other cases, though, the source of your cat's stress might not be so apparent. Stress can come from many things. Some cats are naturally more prone to stress than others, just like us humans.²²

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways you can support your cat's eating.

Address the Stress

Various supplements can help cats manage normal stress and cope with external stresses. If you think your cat's appetite changes are being caused by stress, it might be worth using a supplement to promote relaxation.

Research suggests that CBD can promote relaxation in cats and help them maintain a normal and relaxed disposition.

For example, one study from 2025 found that cats given CBD before a stressful thunderstorm were far less likely to urinate than those given a placebo.²³ Another study from 2024 found that cats given CBD displayed fewer signs of stress when briefly separated from their caregivers.²⁴

“The CBD molecule does many actions that are very fascinating, but it’s really important in keeping the body’s own endocannabinoids around,” explained Dr. Casara Andre, DVM, during a discussion with Earth Buddy founder Sean Zyer. “You can literally use up the molecules that you need to be able to descalate [from stressful situations]....So the CBD molecule is really powerful at preventing the destruction or slowing down the destruction of these endocannabinoids.”

Research has also found that cats tolerate CBD well, including in the long-term.²⁵

One great way to give your cat CBD is to mix a dose of CBD oil into their food. Our CBD Oil blends High-Quality Hemp Extract with MCT Oil, which is packed with healthy fats.

Make sure to only use CBD oil specifically formulated for cats or cats and dogs, as products intended for humans can contain ingredients that are toxic to cats.

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Add a Little Extra

If your cat loves the taste of CBD oil, adding it to their food might also encourage them to eat. In fact, we highly recommend administering CBD with a meal in order to promote product absorption and enhance the beneficial effects of CBD.

Along those lines, adding a little tasty treat to food is a great way to encourage cats to eat.²⁶

Make sure to use small amounts of foods that are safe for cats. Dedicated cat treats are a good option, as are meats like chicken or fish. If you know your cat can't resist the smell or taste of a certain treat, try using that.

Avoid foods formulated for humans, like gravies or baby foods, as they can contain ingredients that are toxic or unsuitable for cats. If you aren't sure, check with your vet.

Gently warming your cat's food can make it smell stronger, and therefore potentially seem more appetizing. Some cats might prefer warmed food, just like many humans do.

Jazz Up Their Food Bowl

Cats can be quite picky about their eating situation.

For example, some experts recommend using wide, shallow bowls. These can help your cat eat without their whiskers constantly touching the sides of the bowl.²⁷

Research suggests that cats often prefer being able to take many smaller meals, rather than a few large ones.²⁸ Studies also suggest that cats prefer freely available food to food that requires effort to obtain.²⁹

Free feeding isn't always appropriate. If you're unsure or worried about how much your cat is eating, it's important to monitor their intake closely, which isn't possible with free feeding.³⁰

In nature, cats have to work for their food. Putting their food in a puzzle feeder can help recreate that process and provide healthy mental stimulation.³¹

Puzzle feeders are actually quite easy to make. For dry food, simply cut some holes in a safe container like a cardboard tube or water bottle. Wet food can be placed into ice cube trays.

Move Food Away From Litter Boxes and Water Bowls

Many cat owners place their cat's food bowl and water bowl next to each other. On the surface, that might make sense, and it's certainly more convenient for us.

But it's generally not what cats prefer.

Remember, cats still have many wild instincts. In the wild, cats instinctively avoid eating and drinking in the same place. That's because their food, which in the wild would be raw meat, could contaminate the water.³²

Of course, your cat has a dedicated pet parent who's making sure they have fresh, safe water. But they don't necessarily understand that.

Therefore, it's best to keep your cat's food and water in separate locations. Even a few feet apart is better than adjacent.

The same is true for your cat's litter box.

Be Close (or Far)

Your presence may affect how your cat eats.

Some cats may prefer to eat alone. If that's the case for your cat, give them the space they need.

Others prefer company. These cats are sometimes called "affection eaters." Some just want you close by, some may want pets, and some may need you to spoon-feed them. ³³

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Conclusion

Stress can affect appetite in cats. It's possible for stress to cause cats to eat more, but research shows it usually does the opposite.

There are plenty of ways you can help encourage your cat to eat. Supplements, Treats, and supportive feeding techniques can all help stressed cats eat more.

If you're unsure, worried, or nothing is working, make sure to consult with your vet.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do Cats Eat When They're Stressed?

Every cat is different. One cat might eat more when they're stressed, while another may eat less.

However, research has shown that reduced appetite is one of the most common signs of stress in cats. In general, cats don't stress eat. Instead, they respond to stress by avoiding eating.

That can go downhill quickly. It's therefore important to support your cat, to help them eat properly, and to get them to a vet if needed.

How Do I Know If My Cat Is Stress Eating?

Stress eating is rare in cats. Cats usually respond to stress by eating less, not more.

That doesn't mean stress can't cause increased appetite in cats. It's possible. But other factors are more likely.

For example, boredom, pregnancy, and genetics can all cause cats to eat more than usual.³⁴

How Do I Know If My Cat Is Stressed?

The most common sign of stress in cats is changed behavior. Are they behaving differently from normal? Have they become more irritable, avoidant, or started grooming excessively?

Reduced appetite is another common sign of stress.

In the short term, stress can cause cats to exhibit certain behaviors. They might flatten their ears, twitch their skin and tail, and their body may tense up.³⁵

Sources

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Earth Buddy is an environmentally conscious and family-owned company dedicated to providing natural solutions for pets. From our CBD oils to our colostrum supplements, our products are designed to promote calmness and encourage relaxation for our furry friends. To learn more and stay connected, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Pinterest.

Do Cats Stress Eat or Have Comfort Food?

Key Takeaways