PROBLEM: How to feed a kitten AND senior cat...

mustanganna

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Hello! This is my first post here, and like most newbie's it needs some experienced members help!

I have a 16 year old cat, Pookie and 4 month old Bengal kitten, Leonard. (He is phenominally cute and smart...and of course I will flaunt some pictures of him as soon as I can get my ftp site to co-operate).


We put wet food out in the morning and at dinner time, and maybe again before bed if they are looking for it. Leonard's crunchies are always out, but he just eats a few at a time. They each have there own food dishes in separate areas of the kitchen. BUT Leonard is obsessed with eating Pookie's food, and will only eat his own when I hide hers and put fresh food in his bowl. The vet says it is ok if he eats her food, it just has less nutrition in it so he needs to eat his too. But it is annoying because he eats hers until it is gone, so Pookie never gets any. Pookie is old (and cranky) and eats when she feels like it, usually after the food has been sitting around for a few hours. I don't know how to train Leonard which is his and not to eat hers. (I gave up year ago trying to train the older cat to do anything...)

Bengals like water, so spritzing him is like liquid encouragement-he think's its fun! When I come over to take him away from her food, he runs; ergo he knows he isn't supposed to eat her food.

Any suggestions?
 

savage destiny

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I had this same problem when I got a kitten a year or so ago. My six-year-old cat would only eat the kitten food! The only solution I found was to start feeding them twice a day, in seperate rooms.

Monster had been free fed all her life, so at first it was hard to get her to eat when I wanted her to. I would put her food down (1/4 cup with a spoonful of canned) and leave it for ten minutes... If she hadn't eaten it, I'd take it away. She caught on pretty fast!

It seems cruel at first, when they're not eating all of their meal, but I would never go back to free feeding now. It helps soooo much to know exactly how much your cat is eating, and you can tell quicker if one doesn't feel good, because you can see if they're not eating!
 

sharky

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Has the 16 yr old had a senior panel to make sure everything is running inside right??

I would suggest all stage formula( normally I dont suggest this) ... It will be enough for the kitten yet not too much for the senior...

Welcome to TCS
 
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mustanganna

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Originally Posted by hissy

I use this to feed my kittens separate of my cats

www.wildwhiskers.com
You know, I had something just like that for my neice to play dolls with. Leonard (kitty) found it downstairs, thought it was a toy and clawed holes in it so I threw it out.

I think I got it at Regal for $1.00!!

Typical
 
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mustanganna

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Originally Posted by sharky

Has the 16 yr old had a senior panel to make sure everything is running inside right??
Last year we spent $1200 at the vet on Pookie (ya ok, Canadian Dollars...but still!) because she threw up constantly. But there was nothing wrong with her, it was just a matter of trying to find the right food. She hasn't thrown up since the Medi-Cal (except fur furballs...). For the sake of my sanity (and floors!) I can't change her food.

I am beginning to think this is going to be impossible! I just really want to start training Leonard properly!
 

white cat lover

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I have a 3 y/o cat & a 5 m/o kitten. They both steal each other's food.
For awhile, I fed Lily Nutro kitten & Twitch Innova adult food. When they got done eating that, I put out Felidae all lifestages food. Then they always had food like they wanted, & Lily got the nutrition she needs as a growing kitten.

If you can't switch foods due to health issues(like puking..yuck!), then you will probably just have to feed two meals a day(give three to Leonard as he is a kitten) and don't leave out any dry food to free feed on. If you are willing to try a few all lifestages foods, it made my life easier.

Good Luck! I can't wait to see pics of both babies!
 

purrpaws

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I agree. Polly eats a prescription diet and the only way to keep Prego out of her food is to meal feed in separate rooms.
 
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