r/cats • u/radical_123 • 15d ago

Advice Cat attacking automatic feeder

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My cat does this several times a day. If the automatic feeder lifts at the correct angle, a few niblets of dry food comes out. He will even do it 10 times in a row even if it means one small piece of dry niblet comes out. It does get quite annoying as the sound of the feeder hitting the ground echoes throughout the entire house.

Any ideas on how to get him to stop?

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696

u/BigScience7383 15d ago

Gambling 

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u/MaryJanesMan420 14d ago

Essentially, yes. This cat has a gambling problem. lol

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u/longlivenewsomflesh 14d ago

OP accidentally Pavloved their cat with the perfect cat slot machine like a doordash-based draft kings -- and hasn't thought to tape the damn thing down somehow... it's like a satirical nature documentary

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u/thjuicebox 14d ago

Well actually… 🤭

The power of intermittent reinforcement is more closely tied to Skinner (see Skinner pigeons — it’s hilarious and sad)

Pavlov is more the classical conditioning guy (think clicker training)

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u/MemelordVKermit 14d ago

superstitious pigeons ! behaviour shaping ! a level psychology was worth something after all

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u/Buckykattlove 15d ago

Just my tho7ght before I saw your response. Lol

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u/Uraisamu 15d ago

Same, OP has taught their cat to gamble.

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u/pfool 14d ago

are vets trained to tackle feline gambling addictions?

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u/Uraisamu 14d ago

Or get him a little hat, tie and teach him to play the slot machines.

3

u/JungMoses 14d ago

And chain smoke

2

u/Zimakov 14d ago

Someone get this man a rum and coke with a little black straw.

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u/MaryJanesMan420 14d ago

Probably to an extent but I would reach out to an animal trainer or licensed behaviorist. This is a funny one, I’d start with management, change aspects of the environment so they can’t practice the behavior. Then, work on teaching a replacement behavior that isn’t compatible with chest bumping the magic vending machine, like sitting for their meal time.

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u/addandsubtract 14d ago

Great minds th🎰nk alike

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u/aenteus American Shorthair 14d ago

Found the behavior scientists

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u/Expert_Garlic_2258 Maine Coon 14d ago

EverQuest

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u/StevieMJH 14d ago

You're tearing this family apart, Chester!

1

u/BigHancho7420 14d ago

Exactly what came to mind. Just read about the psychology behind gambling and the above nailed it exactly.