Put one on a diet, now the other wont eat

I have two kitties: Gus is about 9 years old and weighs (gasp!) 18lbs. Pepper is 12 months and weighs just under 6lbs. She is an abyssinian, small boned and the vet thinks that is a pretty healthy weight for her. He thinks 6.5 would be her max healthy. We started Gus on a diet, actually just strictly measured amounts of his food, early this week. Ill take him to get weighed every month and when he gets to 15lbs, his vet will reevaluate him to see how much more he should lose. For now his long term goal is 13lbs. I had him down to 14lbs before we got Pepper, but from feeding them together he gained a lot back.

Anyway, to keep Gus eating only the correct amount, I've started feeding them separately. Gus gets his bowl where they've always been fed and Pepper gets her bowl on top of the dryer bc Gus can't jump up there. But Pepper isn't eating much. I give her 1.5oz canned four times a day and she never finishes the whole thing. I think it's from eating alone. I've tried moving her bowl to the old spot and putting Gus in another room, but she just cries for him until I let him out. I've tried putting her in the bathroom and in my bedroom alone in case there is something she doesn't like about the laundry area. Out of curiosity, I just put her food in the old spot without removing Gus and they both chowed it down. When I picked up Gus, she followed me to the other room and meowed at the door for him.

This has been going on since Monday. I don't think there's anything wrong with Pepper, she was at the vet for her shots last week. If she doesn't eat more over the weekend I will take her back on Monday. She's not dehydrated, her attitude is normal, she seems content, just misses eating with her buddy Gus. Any ideas for getting her used to the new routine? Maybe she just needs more time to adjust? Maybe she doesn't need as much food as I thought? She's always had her belly look curved in when she's about to eat, but she doesn't eat enough to round it back out now.

She may just need some time to adjust as you said. It could also be she is fearful of the dryer. Is there another high counter you can put her dish on?

I would think the ideal solution would be to find somewhere that you can put Gus's food on the floor and her's on the counter where he can't get to it but that they are still close to each other. Perhaps you move Gus's bowl below the dryer? Or, why not time feed them both? That way they can still eat next to each other without food being out all the time. If she needs a little more maybe you give her an extra meal or two throughout the day, or supplement her by using some of her food as a "treat" and reward her with it. It's also possible she just doesn't eat as much as you thought. But, she for sure needs to be eating at least some! 

I agree if she continues to not eat take her in for an evaluation just to be sure nothing is medically wrong. Otherwise, keep trying different locations until you find one that makes them both happy. 

Good luck!