Cat vs. Automatic Feeder

As a vet, my guess is the kitty may be hyperthyroid... that causes an increased appetite without corresponding weight gain, as well as having more aggressive/hyperactive behavior than normal. Maybe the owner should have him checked by a veterinarian.

ok, this is not abuse, he gets fed. you cant stop a cat from doing what they want. they are just spunky and crazy! my cats get fed on a regular basis, 3 times a day, yet they are still running around and jumping the gate when they see their bowls.

Looks like positive reinforcement to me. Milo figured out that food comes out of the feeder. Then he figured out a few treats come out if he hits it hard enough. Since he's being rewarded for his (bad) behavior he keeps repeating the action.

This is not abuse. The cat is clearly not underweight.

Cats have a long history of over-eating, so I doubt the cat is starving. His coat, girth of his body, and energy are signs that he's a spunky and healthy. I wouldn't be surprised if he is just a cat that is perturbed by the feeder in itself. We have two different dispensers, one that is automatic and we can regulate with controls, and the other a standard $20 petco cat feeder, nothing fancy. Our calico is very skittish and has, since we got the automatic dispenser, avoided it completely. I wouldn't be surprised if this cat Milo just took things in a much more brutish fashion and intends to destroy the feeder. Also, if he is the dominant male cat in the house, it could explain some of the reason as to why he's doing it...

This is not about them starving the cat because not all animals have the self-control to stop eating when they should. Many animals, much like humans, will over indulge and then become like that cat that's been all over the news. A friend of mine had 4 cats, 3 of which would self-regulate and one that would not. Because of the one that would not, she had to set a feeding schedule for all of them based on a vet's recommendation for behavior control, modification and all of the cats' health. The cat probably loves to eat and loves its food, which is a good thing, but if they let it have it free reign, the cat would be fat and unhealthy and the other cat may not get what it needs because the other is eating all the food. Its a balance and proportions thing. what should be done is eliminate the behavior trigger of the automatic feeder. Maybe increase the portion sizes for morning and evening that would equal out to the amount of food available across the three feeding times.

I agree with Nancy! 30 times a day he's attacking his feeder? That ought to send a message to his "guardians" who are not doing a good job of taking care of him.

I just read what it says in the beginning of this video. Did it ever occur to the owners of Milo he needs more food. He is not trying to be cute or funny, the cat is hungry. Who ever supports a starving cat or animal of any sort, and tells them to keep fighting for their food is an ass. . .

If a cat is fed on a regular basis he/she would not be doing that. So, people please don't starve your cats to get them to do something like this stupid video. It is cruel and these people should be put in jail.