unusual feeding habit change

hi there, i am somewhat new to caring for ferals. i have two. they disappeared for a while but have returned. at first they were skinny but i have fed them what i always fed them, same boring whole foods mix. then i switched to friskies seafood. (i wanted to give them a treat and they just loved it when i mixed it 50/50) and it's the same price.

it seems like suddenly they have an insatiable appetite, always finishing the bowl, practically licking the plate! i am wondering, is it the friskies brand? or winter coming on? or the fact that they disappeared for a while and are trying to bulk up? they look pretty buff and healthy right now but i don't want them to get fat from overeating!  thanks...

or are they just looking for reassurance that i will be there for them? i can't explain this sudden change in behavior. they used to eat less, it seems.

Hi and welcome to TCS! 

First of all, thank you for caring for these ferals. Do you know if they have been TNR (trapped, neutered and returned)? Usually the tip of one of their ears will be snipped if this has already been done.

Quite honestly, I think it's probably just the new food. The seafood flavor plus the fact that the kibble is sprayed with animal digest that is extremely palatable and cats love it. It's not necessarily healthy, though.

They may have disappeared if they are not spayed/neutered.  The males especially will wander in search of a mate even forgoing food. 

My ferals will go through periods where they eat and eat.  So it may just be the new delicious food.  It also could be worms.  I have used a few wormers with good results.  There is Dontral as well as a homeopathic brand that is in drops.  The Dontral can be given in one dose while the homeopathic can take daily doses of 14-21 days.  The Dontral tastes just awful to cats and needs to be mixed really well in stinky stinky food.  Even my cat who eats anything has a hard time with the Dontral.  I did get it down him last time with a pill pocket. 

Thank you for caring for these two.  If you have not done TNR with them, please consider doing so.  There are so many benefits.

I agree with everyone--could be worms, could be bulking up for the winter.
I've been feeding the same feral cats for at least 1.5 years. This past four or five months, they've become more picky, preferring Friskies Pate over other kinds of Friskies. Pate is actually (somewhat) better for them than the gravy style.
They aren't so picky about the dry food.

thanks! there's 3 of them now, they look like siblings. i will assume they are bulking up since i have no idea how to check for worms. eek! yes they've been TNR.