How to get one to eat more, and the other to eat less?

Hi all,

Monet has finally lost all the weight he needed, he's a perfect 13 lbs cat according to the vet.. nice and lean (as he was 15.5 lbs earlier)..this is mainly because Cassie would eat all the dry food before he would. I want to make sure he does not lose any more and start maintaining his weight.

Now Cassie could loose a few lbs (she's 11.5 lbs, vet said she's at her very max and should lose 2 lbs or so). 

Right now, they each get half a can of Soulistic or Trader Joe's in the morning.. vet recommended 1/4 cup of dry (I feed Buffalo Blue Wilderness mixed with Kirkland from Costco) for Cassie's weight loss, so they get that after they eat their wet. And in the evenings, they get half can each of Soulisic or Trader Joes.

I'd love to get Monet to eat more dry to maintain his weight. But here's the trouble.. Cassie eats them all before Monet gets in the mood to eat them. Monet won't eat them as soon as I put it down, he'd take his time and eats it when he wants to. But he never gets a nibble because of Cassie. I used to give them a cup between them, separate bowls, and Monet would get in a few bites, but Cassie would eat 95% of it, causing her weight gain.

I don't want to put more than 1/4 cup down because I don't want Cassie to eat any more than that. She LOVES her dry and always begs for them.

I thought about separating them so Monet could eat, but I really don't want to do that to them. it's unfair and I don't want them to think separating is punishment. Plus, Monet might not eat the food after several hours anyways.

I thought about giving up dry food entirely, but Cassie's 10 months and still could use the nutrition.. and I want Monet to eat a little more.

I've been feeding morsels of raw chicken to Monet every other day as treats.. Cassie doesn't know what to do with them, so one less food for her.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducman69 

This has come up before, and I believe the only way to separate cats automatically without physically locking them in different rooms was to use an electronic pet door with a "smart-collar". 

 

These have small chips on them that are coded to open a cat door, but not open if the animal is not wearing the smart-collar.  This way you train them to use their appropriate spot to get food, while ensuring that the other cat does not have access (great if a particular cat needs access to prescription food too). 

 

If there were huge differences in physical size, then the low-tech solution of a small opening would keep the big cat out (works for keeping senior cats away from kitten food).   Not going to work in your case though. 

No, I don't think my apartment managers would appreciate me cutting holes in their doors, lol. good suggestion though

I don't think I want to use baby gates. for both expense and the inconvience it would be for me, lol. my apartment is really small, so getting another box to host food would make me crazy!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrsgreenjeens 

  I'm dealing with the same problem.  One "skin and bones" and one "porker".  I tried using a doorjam to wedge a closet door open just enough for the skinny guy to get inside, and put his kibble in there, but sure enough, the porker was able to push the door open further   It was hysterical to watch him maneuver his way in!!

 

lol. thats a great idea too! It wouldn't work with mine since Monet is a bigger cat, and Cassie is smaller, but fatter.. lol

I think I figured out a solution that worked (for tonight at least.. lol)

Since Monet refused his wet food (as usual), I placed a handful of dry in front of him. He eagerly ate. Of course, Cassie wants dry.. so I fed her one or two kibbles at a time and played little games with her until Monet ate his full

then I decided when its dry food feeding time, it's up to Monet, and they each get 1/4 dry each. I will keep Cassie entertained and give little bits to her at a time until Monet is done.

I can't recall the last time Monet actually ate dry, at least enough to sustain him, lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrsgreenjeens 

 

Great idea.  For our porker (Darko, BTW) at treat time, I always throw his treats the farthest away so he has to really run and jump for them.  Plus Stinkpot tries to outrun him, so he REALLY his to hustle if he wants any   This way, he gets his exercise and has fun too. 

 

As far as Cassie goes, I was thinking last night as I was setting out the food here....since she's smaller, yet fatter...can she jump as high as Monet?  If not, you could put his food up high somewhere she can't reach (top of the fridge?).  I know here Stinkpot can jump onto the shelf above the hangers in the closet, but Sir Porker cannot! (actually, none of the others can )
 

 

If Cassie wants her food, she WILL jump high. She has jumped on top of the cabinets in the kitchen because Monet used to store his treats there, lol