Multiple cats, how to feed wet?

kristinam

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I'm reading all the articles on wet food being better but I have a big problem with my cats.

I have a male, age 8

a female, estimated age about 3

a kitten, age 3 months

I have been reading about how the wet food is better for them.  But the 3 yo female hates the male and won't go near him.  She is very much on her own schedule and most of the time I don't even see her eat.

If I put enough wet food out for the both of them, he will eat his and her share and she won't get any when she eventually goes for food.

The kitten is fed separately now, but in the future, she will be fed in the kitchen with the other two.

How do I do this??

Thanks for any suggestions,

Kris
 

ldg

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Hi Kris, I hope we can help! :wavey:

When feeding wet food, basically you have to establish meal times. You don't put the food down and leave it out. :)

I feed my cats in the morning (before work), the evening (after work), and before bed. This schedule usually works for 3 cats. If your female won't eat in the same room as the male during meal time, then establish a different place for her to eat. :rub: One of my cats eats in the bathroom (I have 8 cats that don't eat any dry food). :lol3:

Your 3-month old kitty will need a different schedule - until he's 4 or 5 months old, his stomach isn't large enough to provide him with enough nutrition when eating just 3x a day.

To give you ideas on how to establish meal times, this may help: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/264675/transitioning-free-fed-kibble-kitties-to-timed-meals-and-new-food

Of course, ask ANY questions!
 

lcat4

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I can't tell if you are currently feeding timed feedings or free feeding your cats.  The first best step, is to have them all eat at certain meal times rather than eating when they feel like it.  Obviously, your little kitten will require more feedings throughout the day for the next few months, but after that, everyone can be fed three times a day (or two - whatever schedule is best for you and your cats).  If you are free feeding now, and want some suggestions on how to get your cats to eat timed feedings, you can look at a recent thread by LDG in this nutrition thread area. 

I have four cats.  They each are fed out of their own bowl with a measured amount of food, based on the cat.  Three eat at their designated spot in the kitchen, one eats in the foyer (with door access closed).  They all know where they eat and will run over each other to get to their spot once meal time is called.  It can be hands on (on my part) during feeding time, making sure everyone eats their own food and not someone else's food, but the whole eating process takes 10 minutes max.  The main issue was my kitten who hadn't yet learned that all food served wasn't for her.  Now that she's older, she waits patiently at her bowl (with begging eyes), hoping for seconds. 

Sometimes the cat in the foyer eats slower than everyone else.  The rest get anxious to move about the house, and two cats have figured out how to open the sliding door into the foyer.  I'll pick her bowl up and she'll follow to a bedroom.  She's then locked in a few more minutes to give her plenty of time to eat her fill.

Your best bet would be to pick spots that your cats are comfortable eating to establish a place of their own.  That may mean separate rooms for your two older cats.  Good Luck!
 
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