Two new Cats, questions about feeding

Hello,

I just brought home two 3 year old cats from a shelter last night.  One requires a specific type of food due to crystals in his urine, and the other does not.  The one that does not is still adjusting to the new environment i believe, and hasnt been eating his food much which has me a bit worried, but i'm worried to leave his out in case my cat who needs special food eats it all.  Should I just put the food away when i leave and try again when i get home?  How long should I wait until its an issue if he continues to not eat?

Likely the cat that needs "special food" probably doesn't actually need that food, he just needs an all wet food diet to keep him hydrated so that his crystals don't reoccur. Do you have a copy of his medical history to see what kind of urinary problems he has a history of? Urinary food is crap, and you can achieve the same results with a bio appropriate diet and no kibble. 

Congratulations on getting your new cats   I hope you'll all be very happy.

Sorry the one isn't eating properly yet.  Often this happens when they move to a new environment...normally it just takes a little adjustment on the kitty's part to get used to everything.  Cats don't take change well...some are worse than others, as you are now finding out. 

Is he doing a little better at this point?  With a cat prone to crystals, until you can figure out just which foods he CAN eat, you definitely don't want him eating anything he shouldn't, so I would NOT let him eat any dry food, as Missmimz pointed out, if that's what you're thinking of leaving out.

Do the two cats get along well?  If not, they could be separately while you're not there, thus solving the problem.  If they are strangers to each other, they SHOULD be separated while you're not there, at least for a few days while you introduce them to each other, although I suspect they are not strangers.  If they are, we have articles on introducing cats that you might find helpful.  Even if they aren't strangers, you could separate them to allow the one to settle in and have his food all to himself.  Peace and quiet may be what he needs to feel comfortable enough to eat.

  It is imperative that he start eating soon.  Cats cannot go for too long without nourishment.  I'd say 36 hours at the most before other health issues can start in.  they are not like any other animal in that aspect, that I know of.  Try to tempt him with extra stinky  wet cat food, maybe some Fancy Feast Classic salmon or other fish flavor if you aren't already feeding a better food.  I have no idea what you are feeding, so just guessing it's a dry food. 

Let us know if you have further issues.  Again, congrats on your new furbabies

Hey there everyone. So I've recently moved in this house a couple months ago and there's a stray cat that hangs around. He is a beautiful Siamese cat (completely pure bred). The neighbors say he belonged to the previous residents of this house. I can't understand why they left him. Any ways I've gotten close to him. He's so friendly. So I started picking up a cheap bag of cat food for him and I've been feeding him every day for about a month. But I just dont like feeding him that cheap stuff. He's already been thru enough. He deserves better food. However I can't spend too too much. So I went to the local grocery store and I've been researching. I've narrowed it down to 2 dry foods. Which is better? Goodlife dry food or Rachael ray dry food? Please help me choose what I should start feeding him.