My, previously stray cat, is very possessive around not his food

[meownomania]

My cat Snap used to be stray/feral and was very obviously a scavenger when he was. He is incredibly food-motivated and will get into absolutely any food left out, the trash, and even something like a sealed bag of chips. The thing is, whenever we eat, he expects his share, he will always try to sneak up and grab some food from us, and we will gently push him away. This will usually lead to Snap getting frustrated and hissing, which is the only time he ever hisses at us. Today, my boyfriend was making a quesadilla and he stole a whole tortilla and tried to make a run for it, I was able to pick him up and he didn't bite or scratch me, but he was hissing and growling (which I've never heard him do) the entire time I was taking the tortilla away from him. The thing is, he could care less when it comes to his food; of course, he is excited about it, but I can easily get between him and his cat food/pick him up/take him away from it, and he doesn't care. I can see why his relationship with food might be like this; I just don't want it to get worse because it clearly upsets him. Is there any way to prevent this behavior or at least ease it? I try to feed him when we eat but he just finishes his food faster so he can check out what we are eating. Shutting the door on him just makes him cry and scratch at the carpet from under the door. I'm just looking for ways to help him out with this behavior, if possible?

 

[Kris107]

Is there a non-carpeted room (i.e. bathroom) you could feed him in while you eat? I don't like when cats are up in my food when I'm trying to eat. Since yours is so food obsessed, I'd say that removing him while you eat might be the best.

 

[meownomania]

Is there a non-carpeted room (i.e. bathroom) you could feed him in while you eat? I don't like when cats are up in my food when I'm trying to eat. Since yours is so food obsessed, I'd say that removing him while you eat might be the best.

I wish the only room without carpet was the bathroom, which is where I keep his litterbox. All the other rooms have carpet or are connected to rooms with carpet, whereas he'll claw at the carpet from under the door

 

[rubysmama]

How long have you had Snap? It's possible he will outgrow his stray cat food obsession after some time passes.

When I first adopted my Ruby, who had been a stray before being taken to the shelter, she was food obsessed. I would have to put her in another room when I was cooking / eating. She would also eat every speck of food I put in her dish in one sitting. This went on for about 8 months, then one day I was shocked to see food in her dish. After that she started grazing throughout the day, and wasn't obsessed with the food I ate.

 

[meownomania]

How long have you had Snap? It's possible he will outgrow his stray cat food obsession after some time passes.

When I first adopted my Ruby, who had been a stray before being taken to the shelter, she was food obsessed. I would have to put her in another room when I was cooking / eating. She would also eat every speck of food I put in her dish in one sitting. This went on for about 8 months, then one day I was shocked to see food in her dish. After that she started grazing throughout the day, and wasn't obsessed with the food I ate.

I’ve had him for about 7 or 8 months! I really hopes he outgrows it but how things are looking now that isn’t the case. I’ll try keeping him in another room more often while i cook though!

 

[rubysmama]

I’ve had him for about 7 or 8 months! I really hopes he outgrows it but how things are looking now that isn’t the case. I’ll try keeping him in another room more often while i cook though!

How old is he?