Advice on Feeding Practice

My two cats need to have two different kinds of food. They will eat out of each other's bowls if I'm not watching. They don't like to be separated. I'd just like to hear from anyone who has found a way to get cats who live together to eat separate foods. It might be that I just have to guard them all the time, but it would be nice if I didn't!

Sophie

The best way to ensure each cat gets the right food is to feed on separate rooms. The only other option is supervision.

Asha and Shadow have different food some of the time (I want Asha to eat foods I think are good for her. Shadow's a bit of a 'junk food' junkie - from before I knew better - and I don't want him corrupting her :lol3: Currently, the reverse is happening - Shad's getting more and more interested in Asha's food ). The only time I let them eat together is when they're both getting the same, as dish swapping is inevitable sometimes.

You can build two feeding boxes for the cats, and use cat flaps that reads the chip of each cat- then they can only eat the correct food. Expensive- though....

Or you can buy feeders that read the chip on your cat, and only allows the correct cat to eat. I´ve seen such feeders costing appr 200 dollars....... each....

The cheapest ways is to feed them in two different rooms, of far apart and you supervise.

I have one cat who takes his time eating and another who scoffs his down.   I do timed feedings so I do watch them or else the scoffer would eat half of the grazers food.

If you're always present when they eat and have timed meals then you can try feeding them in separate large cages that are placed side by side. The cats can eat inside of their own large wire cage and be let out once finished. Not sure if they would mind a situation like that.

I don't have any solutions, just watching this thread with interest as I have a similar problem.  My two cats eat the same food but are used to eating together and swapping bowls back and forth.  One has gotten a little too heavy.  Separate rooms seems out of the question given their extreme devotion to habit (at least the one, sadly not the heavy one, would be in danger of going without if I change her location too much!) but I may have to figure out something if the portion changes alone aren't working.

Thanks for all the suggestions! When I'm home I do watch them and make sure they stay in their same bowls. I like the idea of cages where they can still see one another. It seems like every time I get littermates they hate being separated!

Sophie

My boy cat stalks my girl 24/7 but when it comes to food as soon as he sees his dish he follows me to back bedroom where he eats, I close the door and leave him there for an hour or so, so the girl gets to eat in peace as well as the dog. If she leaves any after one hour he can have it, she does not want it. She used to eat too fast for fear he would come and take it, now she is relaxed.

Yes, I remember seeing something once that might be of your interest.

If you are from Europe:

http://www.zooplus.com/shop/dogs/dog_bowls_feeders/dog_feeders/dog_food_dispensers/479556

And if you are from America:



They are not exactly cheap, but they are designed for exactly the kind of problem you have.

Wow thanks for these links! I will look into getting something like this.

Sophie

Anybody feed an adult cat 2 different types of food each day? Dry in the AM and wet in the PM. Does anyone know if this is a good practice

I don't feed that way, but I can't see that it would cause any problems. If that's what works for you, carry on with it. Just be sure to take extra steps to compensate for the dryness of kibble http://www.thecatsite.com/a/tips-to-increase-your-cat-s-water-intake

Thank you for your reply Columbine. He only gets 3 T of kibble a day and then wet. Since it s been so hot and he stays on a sun porch during the day the wet drys out and he s not eating it. I then give him some wet when I get home from work and again over night.

How many fish meals are ok to feed a cat each week? He loves BFF but it s tuna and another protein source like lamb or turkey.

psychomama said:

How many fish meals are ok to feed a cat each week? He loves BFF but it s tuna and another protein source like lamb or turkey.

Click to expand...

Two or three fish meals a week is fine. I wouldn't feed more than that.

Thank you Super Cat. I appreciate your input. He loves the BFF so I ll do 2 a week.