Cat feeding problems one eating dog food, one cat too fat

I have three cats. I've got a bit of a situation.

One cat (my brown one I posted pics on here) Dum-Dum is one large cat and she's bordering on obese.

My two other cats are smallish one nearly underweight (I posted pics in another post of them) Kitt (aka Malion) and Willow.

I have a senior citizen black lab dog Obi (at the lower threshold of a healthy weight).

My fat cat eats very little and sleeps a lot. I can't take the food away because the other two are thin and the one is super active. I don't really have any way of separating their feeding. I tried weight loss formula Wellness but the one started eating dog food and now immediately goes for dog food and eats a lot of it. I can't put the dog food away because my dog slowly grazes throughout the day.

I'm at a loss what to do. I can't deprive the thin animals who eat constantly and are active. I've tried making the other one play more because she likes to run around after a laser but is hasn't seemed to do much. She will barely touch wet food either.

As far as the dog food eating one is this going to cause any great harm to her? I know they need Taurine but I'm not feeding them run of the mill dollar store stuff, it's expensive grain free and looks fairly similar in levels of proteins and fat to decent but not top of the line cat food.

My house layout and circumstances kind of prevent having scheduled feeding times.

Any ideas?

As you said, the biggest issue with cats eating dog food is the lack of taurine. If that is the mainstay of any of your cats' diet, they MUST have a taurine supplement to balance it. Neglect this, and there's a very real risk of heart problems, as well as other issues. [article="29719"][/article][article="33251"][/article]

If Dum-Dum really does eat too little to explain her weight, then seh needs a vet visit ASAP so you can find out what's going on with her.

Why does your lifestyle prevent scheduled feeding? Timed feeds really are the best option, and will ensure that all your animals get the right amount of food. Your three skinny guys need to get the right amount of food, and timed (preferably supervised) feeds are the only way to be sure that everyone's getting the right amount. You'd likely find that the skinnies would gain weight from this approach....and if they don't, then vet checks are in order for them too, to make sure there aren't any underlying medical issues causing their low weight. [article="31129"][/article]

All animals are said to be healthy per vets aside from the weights I've reported,

The Dum Dum litter was an entire litter rescued that was abandoned by the mother, the cats are all largish and another has become fat (family and friends all took one) It has to be somewhat genetic too.

I was told Obi our senior dog was at the lower end of healthy weight which is fine they say due to his arthritis.

Willow was said to be at nearly underweight. She eats constantly but they found nothing wrong with her, she's the one eating dog food. She does eat some cat food but I'm not sure it's enough.

Kitt (Malion) is very active. Sleeps very little. She basically eats frequently throughout the day and is at the lower end of what is considered healthy weight. She sleeps like 3 hour stretches then has when I call "the running of the cat" where she runs up and down the stairs attacking toys and such. In the downtimes during this she does not sleep and instead looks out the window, stands around or squeaks and taps at you to get attention (I taught her to do high fives).

Dum-dum basically goes to bed when we go to bed. She sleeps almost all night. She awakens. Eats a bit, roams around watches birds then sleeps for several more hours. I can get her to play with a laser but she's very lazy otherwise.

I can't really deprive the other cats while I'm at work and if I try scheduling feeding Dum-dum doesn't eat much as usual, the others wolf it down and want more and will start in on the dog food if I remove the dishes, especially Willow.

Like I said I tried weight loss formula but the underweight ones wolf it down, eat dog food and it doesn't help Dum dum much at all.

I've tried wet food, Kitt (Malion) will literally eat 2 1/2 servings because Dum Dum only takes a bite or two. Willow doesn't eat as much but doesn't mind.

I literally think it really just is activity level. I just can't seem to make Dum Dum more active and I can't really have one cat eating loads of dog food.

I'm very glad that all the animals have been checked out and are healthy Seniors are often at the lower end of healthy (I know my elderly greyhound is), especially when arthritis is present, but I always like to be sure

You haven't said why timed meals for all (including the dog) won't work for you. I do understand problems of busy schedules, but timed feeds really do work best - especially when dealing with a variety of weights and appetites. If Kitt is so enthusiastic about wet food, then that might be the best option for her, and timed meals would also mean that Dum-Dum could have her diet option more easily. For timed meals to work, though, everybody would have to be on them. You're quite right in saying that timed meals for the cats won't work so long as there is dog food out for them to snack on.

I'm sorry to go on about the routine change, but it's the simplest, easiest and most effective way for everybody to get what they need :catguy: