1 overweight cat - 1 very thin cat - both eat same food

Hi, I was wonderfing what I should do.  I am concerned since I started giving both my cats only wet food (1/2 can 2x a day).  Sometimes they don't finish the food, but I do given them a little Pro Plan Weight manage, which they hardly eat=. Mostly before bedtime I leave some in their dishes (mostly to be sure their teeth are clean).  I used to give them Royal Cannon SO (since they each had crystals in the past).  No crystals now...they seem to eliminate (void) large amounts. Do you think I should eliminate all the dry food.  I worry since my thinner cat seems to be losing eight.  They were both born in 2004 and are brothers.  Thanks for any help. anne346

I would eliminate dry food.  It is full of carbohydrates, and can contribute to UTIs.

How much weight has he lost, in how long--could be a medical problem.  Do they drink a lot?

It is a myth that dry food helps keep teeth clean. If that's the only reason, you should definitely cut out all dry food.

Which wet food are you giving them? Are both cats eating the same amount? Are you sure that the overweight one is not eating more of the food than the thin one? If you are sure that the thin one is eating enough, and he's still losing weight, then it's most likely a medical issue. When was the last vet check up, and was the weight loss mentioned then?

I have a similar problem with 2 cats I just adopted, one heavy (15+ pounds), one thin (around 7 I think). For about a week, I fed them in separate rooms, with the thin one closed in. I sat with her to make sure she ate. I made sure their feedings were at the same time every day so they would get used to the routine. Then, we transitioned by leaving the door open in separate rooms for feeding. Now they eat in the same room, with 2 separate dishes. It seemed to help make sure they were both sticking to their own food and it guaranteed my skinny one got to eat her dinner.

Also, we switched to grain-free wet food primarily and only give them like a quarter cup of dry for overnight in case they're more active. Our skinny one seemed to have trouble digesting grains, so switching to grain-free made her more inclined to eat her dinner instead of walking away and letting the other one eat it. Hope these ideas help!

Thanks for responding.  They do not drink that much - normal amount.  The canned food they are eating is Friskies Special Diet (mostly for potential bladder problems.  I can eliminate the dry food.  My heavy cat is not losing, and the little one is staying the same, but does look very slim.  He eats very well (not a large amount at each sitting, but enjoys his food.  He does not eat much of the dry food. 

I plan to have him test this month.  Thanks again.  anne

I will check and make sure he eats his portion and not my heavier cat.  I am going to eliminate the dry food and plan to have him tested in the next week or so.  I know my big cat Romeo likes to eat and may be going back to eat the others left overs.  I plan to watch them carefully.  Thanks.  Anne

Thanks.  I am answering each person who answered my question.  I will try to feed them separately and watch them carefully.  My large cat Romeo weighs 22 pounds (very large, but does not have any hanging stomach - he is solid).  My little one Shyanne weights 13.5 pounds with slim face and slim body, but does not look skinny.  I am seeing ver this month.  Thanks again.  Anne

I forgot to ask what canned food you are feeding your cats.  Thanks again.  Anne

13 pounds isn't little its just perfect. I think your big guy is the one to focus on. Unless he's a Maine Coone, he seems out of normal range.

I have brother/sister twins who are 18 pounds. My big one is 12 pounds and his sister is 9 pounds. They're fully grown and he is a really beefy and muscular guy.

They are fed grain free canned and raw only. Never dry food. I had them on dry for a short while (~2 weeks) then learned it was detrimental, so I threw it all away.

Correction: I have brother/sister twins who are 18 *months* (not pounds) !!

Thanks again.  I am watching my large Romeo closely today to make sure he isn't eating Shyanne's food.  Anne

I rotate between Sheba pates, Wellness Indulgence pouches, and BFF pouches.