Finicky Cat Needs to Gain Weight

Hi all! I am new to this forum. I have two cats. One is Chloe' a 4 year old Tortie and the other is Sammael a 2 year old long-haired black.

When I got Sammy he was a 7 month old scrawny 'teenager' that was more tail then anything else. This didn't last long and he soon put on weight and became a good sized kitty.

A few months ago I noticed when I picked him up there wasn't much bulk to him anymore. I watched him for awhile as he was still eating the dry food (Purina Indoor Cat Formula) and chasing his sister around like always.

After a while I decided to take him to the vet in case he had worms. They didn't think so but said his teeth looked like there might be a bit of gingivitis and maybe he wasn't eating as much because it was sore.

I tried canned food to give him something soft and help him gain the weight, but he is a VERY picky eater. Sometimes he would eat it and sometimes he wouldn't. The other problem is Chloe' will eat ANYTHING and ask for seconds. She is not over-weight and I want it to stay that way.

I am in an apartment so they are indoor kitties. They have dry food out all the time. Any time I have tried giving a 'treat', Chloe' inhales hers then tries to nose her way into Sammy's and he usually lets her.

I need help finding something that will help him gain weight that he will eat and advice on how to keep the other one from not gaining weight and eating everything!

Thanks!
Kaja~

i have heard that a high quality kitten food can help adult cats put on weight, but lets wait and see what everyone else has to say... they would kno more than i would

I would say a vet visit is in order, and some tests to see if there is anything going on.

Edit: Oops I just saw the part about his vet visit. Get him in for a dental, that should help his mouth feel better.

I'm sure Sharky will have some good food advice for you. I would get something higher fat and lower fiber for sure.

I would recommend a NON grocery true premium... right now you have them on a dry technically called indoor but it is similiar to light food ..OHH premium often is about the same as what your paying


What store s do you have avail./..

Wysong Archetype (www.wysong.net) will do.

Originally Posted by sharky

I would recommend a NON grocery true premium... right now you have them on a dry technically called indoor but it is similiar to light food ..OHH premium often is about the same as what your paying

What store s do you have avail./..

Click to expand...

I have Pet Supplies Plus and Petco.

Update:

Well, after looking through some of the other threads here and what you all suggested (thank you very much), I have come up with a plan to put weight back on my Sammy.

I have put them on a schedule instead of leaving food out for them. That way he will eat what I give him and be hungry for it.

I have also talked to my local pet store and asked what they recommend as far as high protein low fiber in canned food.

I got a can of Merricks California Roll and EVO (?) Turkey and Chicken Formula. (If any of you know any info on these two brands, please share!)

I tried the Merricks tonight for the first time and as he was very hungry, he ate it with no problem. I gave him that and little of the dry that he is used to.

I'm experimenting with what works best as they were both at me as soon as I got home for food and it was hard to 'separate' them for meal time. They ate out of their respective bowls for awhile until Chloe' realized he had something 'extra' in his and argued with me about it.

I'm going to attempt to feed Chloe' in the bathroom as she is the one that is more apt to follow me in there anyway. I can then close the door while she's eating and then go feed him. This will give him time to be the slow eater he is without her nosing her way in on his meal.

Keep your fingers crossed for me, I hope this works!
Thanks you all for you kind suggestions, I'm glad I found others who love cats as much as I do!

Kaja~