Jack Sprat and the bully

mom of two

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I have 2 indoor cats that are 12 months old. Landry is tubby and his brother Gipper is skinny. The vet told me the other day that they are both fine but Landry shouldn't gain any more weight. She said neither one is sick and Gipper has a small frame.

Landry is a food hog. I'm surprised he hasn't eaten the food bowls in his frenzy. Gipper eats slowly and takes a few bites and walks away. I've picked him up and put him back in front of the food and then he begins to eat again, or I've carried the food dish over to him and tried to tempt him to eat. I've tried to feed them in separate rooms but Gipper won't eat without his brother and Landry won't let him eat. I'm trying to get Landry to lose a pound or two and fatten up Gipper. Because Landry is on a diet I don't leave food out for them.

How can I coax Gipper to eat more and to stand up for himself at mealtime? He is only timid when food is involved otherwise he holds his own and the cats get along well. Is it common for one cat to be much fatter than the other?
 

ollyextra05

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If the vet says your tubby one needs to lose weight, the best thing to do is start feeding them separately and feed the heavy one diet food. I have a similar problem in my house and have found when Oliver gains a little weight (usually in the winter he puts on about a half a pound "extra") I just have to feed him separately in the guest bathroom. He whines about it, but he gets over it eventually. Now that we have a second cat she keeps him more active (usually at 4 in the morning, lol) so we haven't had as much of a problem. Try buying a cat dancer or some other sort of active toy and playing with the chubby kitty for about a half hour or so a day--that'll help too.

I wish I only had a half a pound to lose! Lol!
 
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mom of two

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Originally Posted by OllyExtra05

the best thing to do is start feeding them separately and feed the heavy one diet food. He whines about it, but he gets over it eventually. Now that we have a second cat she keeps him more active (usually at 4 in the morning, lol) so we haven't had as much of a problem. Try buying a cat dancer or some other sort of active toy and playing with the chubby kitty for about a half hour or so a day--that'll help too.

I wish I only had a half a pound to lose! Lol!
I'm in an apartment, so when I try to shut one of the cats in the bathroom, Gipper stays by the shut door and won't eat until I let Landry out. I feed Gip extra treats when Landry is sleeping or distracted. I play with both cats daily and encourage Landry to run and jump. I'll pick up the cat dancer. They had a toy fishing pole and some other interactive toys but they broke them. They love little toy mice.

Your cats are so cute.
 
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