Feeding troubles

23 Sep 2009 8:46 am

4LeggedCircus said:

The crate idea is a good one - I feed my dogs in separate crates because they eat different foods. But I also feed my cats separately because ironically my younger cat - Lena -is the bully and eats all the food.

In the morning I first feed one cat in the laundry room with the dogs (they are crated so no one can steal from anyone else because the cat also tries to eat the dog food). Then I feed the other cat in my bathroom. Since I'm in the bathroom getting ready I'm not opening and closing the door so no one can escape or break in.

Then in the evening when I get home I feed the cat in the bathroom 1st and shut the door and then feed the other cat in the laundry room with the dogs. If I do it in that order so Lena has nothing to steal.

In the beginning Lena would howl, scream, and scratch the door - but I just ignored her. Eventually she would get hungry and go eat her own food. Contdogrol is right, the cats pick up on your emotions, so stay calm, don't get anxious or angry - completely ignore Puddy if he's throwing a fit, don't even make eye contact. I usually wait 20 min or so and then let Abbey out of my bathroom or sooner if I hear her crying. But If I let her out I always close the door behind her immediately or put her food in a cabinet so Lena can't get it. And it goes both ways, if for some reason Lena doesn't finish her food I put it in a cabinet so Abbey doesn't eat it. An hour or two later I'll put the cats back in their respective rooms to finish their food if need be.

And if you are worried about Puddy's weight you can stop giving him canned food. He doesn't need it and it is packed with calories. He may throw a fit and turn his nose up at his food for a day, but if he' truly as greedy as you say he's not going to starve himself and he'll start eating again. Also, try a low cal food. I have Abbey on Iams weight control formula and she loves it. Her coat looks great and it really helped her get the extra weight off and now to maintain a healthy weight. Make sure you are giving measured amounts of the food each feeding, not just ‘eyeballing’ it. I use a cheap measuring scoop I bought at the dollar store so each feeding they are getting the same/proper amount. And if you go to a low cal food talk to your vet (or I even talked to an Iams specialist on their website) about how to appropriately reduce the amount of food you are feeding now to an amount that will help with weight loss and then what amount is a good maintenance amount.

It’s a process, but it’s worth it in the end. Once you find a routine that works for you the cats eventually fall into line and get used to it. Mine rarely challenge it now and run to their respective rooms at feeding times. Good luck!

20 Sep 2009 6:37 pm

contdogrol said:

I don't understand. You said you tried feeding in different rooms. Did the kitten not eat her own food then? was she afraid to eat by herself? you could try sitting with her while she eats and then doing the same with the adult cat so she feels she has her own time with you too. I guess the kitten food tastes better. you can also try using a kitty crate to feed the cat in that and not let her out until she finishes her food. try to relax becaue the cats will pick up on your nervous and angry energy too. It is a frustrating situation check with your vet for suggestions on possible supplements you could use to help the kitten get her proper nutrients

19 Sep 2009 7:32 am

BABY2 said:

I think the other cat looks at it like competition with the kitten.So maybe you should when the kitten is done eatin pick the kitten food up and put it on a shelve and do the same with the cat food.This way the cat will know it is not a competition and will start to eat its own food.