Skip to main content

Video: The polite (yet demanding) way this cat begs for food is hilarious

Does your cat constantly beg for food? Here's a few tips on how to get her to stop (plus a hilarious video)

Many animals beg instinctually from birth — think of the tiny bird beaks that open wide to accept their mom’s proffered worm (or spit up). But your puppy or kitty might never stop asking for extras no matter how old she gets. In the wild, it makes sense to eat food as it’s available because the animal doesn’t know if there will be another meal coming along soon. Some pets really lean into this behavior though and will all but demand their dinner from their pet parent any time they please.

One of the major reasons our pets continue to give us the big brown eyes to score a snack — it works! This cat certainly has figured that out, but she has decided to take a slightly different approach. In the funny cat video amazingly titled “Hooman, I need dis,” the subject adorably paws at her food while staring down her person (and the camera).

At the end, the cat looks directly at us, seeming to say “What part am I not making clear?” Top commenter u/Whole_Chicken_4248 took the human’s side with “‘and what’s the magic word?'” In response, user u/zeke235 channeled the feline with: “Now.” Or better yet “Meow” says u/Purple_Platypus789. Best of all, this cat begs for food on the Cat Taps subreddit, which is definitely a place you’ll want to frequent for more polite kitties.

Fluffy cat looks up at her human begging for food
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Can you teach a cat not to beg?

While this little one surely asks nicely, yours might turn into a yowling terror every time she wants food. The first step is not to give in so, despite what all the commenters suggested, you probably should wait a few minutes until you give your animal their meal, or at least until the behavior stops. If you’re thinking that will never happen, one option is to put her into “time out” by removing the desired food item or the cat herself until she stops. Lastly, try “counter-conditioning” which means giving her something else when she begs such, as pets or a favorite toy. That will temporarily distract her without giving in to the demand. One quick note: sometimes cats beg excessively because they aren’t getting enough to eat or they aren’t getting proper nutrition. If the begging seems out of character or has been ratcheted up a notch for no reason, talk to your vet, who may recommend blood work or other tests to rule out an underlying issue (such as a thyroid problem or similar disease that can cause insatiable hunger).

While it might be cute and funny when we catch our cats begging on video, you probably don’t want to give into this behavior too often or your furry friend will know exactly what it takes to get her way. Try some of these tricks to get her to stop begging, but remember that slipping her the occasional treat in response to a “feed me” face won’t do any lasting damage.

Editors' Recommendations

Rebekkah Adams
Rebekkah’s been a writer and editor for more than 10 years, both in print and digital. In addition to writing about pets…
Can cats eat raw chicken? Yes, but there are huge health risks you need to know about
Facts about feeding you cat raw chicken
A bowl of raw chicken plus supplements to feed to a pet

You've probably heard all about raw diets for pets. After all, more pet owners than ever want to give their animals a healthier diet! Given that wild cats eat raw meat all the time, it seems to make sense that your domestic cat would also benefit from these kinds of meals. But feeding uncooked meats, including raw chicken, is complicated, and it carries some risks.

There are definitely benefits of feeding raw chicken to cats, but it's also important to understand the concerns and to talk to your vet about your cat food plans so you can make the dietary choice that's right for your animal. Can cats eat raw chicken? Yes. But whether it's a good idea to feed cats raw chicken is a better question to consider.

Read more
4 reasons why cats wag their tails while lying down
This behavior is almost always never something to worry about
Cat yawns while sitting in a window

We know all about dog tail wagging, and most pet owners can spot the difference between a happy twitch and a cautious one. But did you realize that cats use their tails to express themselves, too? Like with dogs, the cat tail swish could mean a few different things, and it's important to have some sense of feline behavior — and your specific kitty — to decipher their movements. So why do cats wag their tails while lying down? We'll walk you through the most common causes and when you might need to step in.

Why do cats wag their tails while lying down?
If you stumble upon your kitty lying down and only moving their tail, it's probably because of one of these four reasons.
They feel happy or playful
You might see your cat lying lazily in the sun, but suddenly they give a little tail twitch as you approach. It's not your imagination. They're excited to see you and ready to play. Assuming you don't note any signs of aggression (we'll get to those later), you should head on over to pet your cat or grab their favorite toy and start a game.
It's hunting time
We can all picture the lion stalking their prey while slowly moving their tail back and forth — your cat does this, too. Oftentimes, this one will happen when they're lying on a perch or near a window and can spy on birds or small mammals in the yard. It could even be that they've spotted a fly and will pounce at any minute. All you need to do here is reach for your camera and enjoy your silly kitty at their best.
They're stressed
A cat that feels stressed will often floof their tail and start to wag it. Kitties generally puff up their fur to appear larger and more menacing. This action may also combine with an arched back or a hiss. Alternatively, sometimes tail thumping comes from overstimulation. You'll recognize pretty quickly which movements indicate fear and which mean fun.
They're dreaming
Sometimes, you'll observe your mouser twitch their tail while sleeping. It could come from a simple muscle spasm just like you get when you sleep (it also might mean they're hunting down prey in their dreams). Additionally, your sleepy kitty may be, well, faking it. They might look asleep but are actually just resting and waiting for you to come over.

Read more
When do kittens open their eyes? This is what happens if they do it too early
Find out all you should know about kittens opening their eyes
Two people holding a tiny gray and white kitten whose eyes haven't opened yet

Is there anything more adorable than a kitten whose eyes haven't opened yet? That's debatable. Although scientists have found that puppies are marginally cuter than kittens, cat people strongly disagree. Whether you're a dog person or a lifelong cat aficionado, there's something about tiny kittens that tugs at the heartstrings.

Have you ever wondered, "When do kittens open their eyes? What happens if they open their eyes too early?" You're not alone. We're here with the scoop on what veterinarians have to say about when kittens first look at the world, why you should never force a kitten to open their eyes too early, and what happens if your newborn kitten's eyes open ahead of schedule.

Read more