I have 4 cats that are all fixed. All but my youngest has become very lazy and over weight.
Their current diet and schedule is as follows:
They eat mostly dry kibble, Purina Cat Chow, Advanced Nutrition for all Cats.
The dry kibble is always out for them to eat whenever they'd like.
Once or twice a week I treat them all to wet food. The brand and flavor varies (we aren't particular about it), but I put down 2, 170 gram cans which they usually finish off right away. (My youngest and healthy weight 1 year old cat usually eats the most).
Each morning we also usually give them 3 Temptation cat treats each.
As a once a month treat, I give them cat nip which they eat.
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Someone told me that I should lift their food... meaning limiting their access to kibble, only allowing them to eat at certain times and certain amounts.
Now, back when I had only the one cat (she wasn't fixed at the time) I was concerned with how frequently she was eating, so I began to lift her food, only allowing her to eat twice a day.
She did not adapt well, and would eat very quickly, and to the point where she would usually vomit shortly after. Once I started leaving food out again she stopped this behavior, and seemed to be less stressed out.
I believe it will be very difficult to control all 4 cat's eating schedule, especially if it were to be different for each cat. I do not want to lift their food, as my work schedule varies, and I may not be able to maintain a regular schedule that requires me to be home at various feeding times. I also do not want to cause stress. I do not want to cause any food related aggression or other behaviors that may interrupt the carefully planned social structure they have. It took a lot of work for me to get them to all get along with each other, and I do not want to change the way they interact.
It would also be impossible to control each cat's intake amount.
Lifting their food is not an option I am not willing to try at this time. With that being said, I was wondering if anyone had any other advice for me.
I need an affordable low fat and calorie option that can be found at most grocery stores...
I am also looking for ways to increase their activity level. They have a million and a half toys, but I need something that will keep them running and playing for hours. I find it difficult to play with all of the cats every day, because only 2 of them will play while the other cats are around. 2 of them have no desire to play with a toy if another cat shows interest, while the two others will often try and steal the other cat's fun by scaring them off. I would let them outside, but I live on a very busy street, and all but one of them is afraid to go outside.
So if you have any ideas I can try... especially with food... please let me know.
Their current diet and schedule is as follows:
They eat mostly dry kibble, Purina Cat Chow, Advanced Nutrition for all Cats.
The dry kibble is always out for them to eat whenever they'd like.
Once or twice a week I treat them all to wet food. The brand and flavor varies (we aren't particular about it), but I put down 2, 170 gram cans which they usually finish off right away. (My youngest and healthy weight 1 year old cat usually eats the most).
Each morning we also usually give them 3 Temptation cat treats each.
As a once a month treat, I give them cat nip which they eat.
---
Someone told me that I should lift their food... meaning limiting their access to kibble, only allowing them to eat at certain times and certain amounts.
Now, back when I had only the one cat (she wasn't fixed at the time) I was concerned with how frequently she was eating, so I began to lift her food, only allowing her to eat twice a day.
She did not adapt well, and would eat very quickly, and to the point where she would usually vomit shortly after. Once I started leaving food out again she stopped this behavior, and seemed to be less stressed out.
I believe it will be very difficult to control all 4 cat's eating schedule, especially if it were to be different for each cat. I do not want to lift their food, as my work schedule varies, and I may not be able to maintain a regular schedule that requires me to be home at various feeding times. I also do not want to cause stress. I do not want to cause any food related aggression or other behaviors that may interrupt the carefully planned social structure they have. It took a lot of work for me to get them to all get along with each other, and I do not want to change the way they interact.
It would also be impossible to control each cat's intake amount.
Lifting their food is not an option I am not willing to try at this time. With that being said, I was wondering if anyone had any other advice for me.
I need an affordable low fat and calorie option that can be found at most grocery stores...
I am also looking for ways to increase their activity level. They have a million and a half toys, but I need something that will keep them running and playing for hours. I find it difficult to play with all of the cats every day, because only 2 of them will play while the other cats are around. 2 of them have no desire to play with a toy if another cat shows interest, while the two others will often try and steal the other cat's fun by scaring them off. I would let them outside, but I live on a very busy street, and all but one of them is afraid to go outside.
So if you have any ideas I can try... especially with food... please let me know.
