Kitty eats and eats and eats!

longhair · 07-29-2010, 09:19 AM

My 6 month old Himmy had to go on prescription food (wet) for stool problems. Now that he is better, we want to transition him back to keeping some dry out all day. (the other cat is a grazer)

Problem is, Kitty has an appetite and would eat until he pops!!
He begs for food constantly and he eats over a can a day of the prescription food.

How do we keep some dry food out without him eating all of it??

laurief · 07-29-2010, 09:49 AM

You don't ... at least not if it's a food he wants to eat and not if he has access to it. You could always try to find a food that he hates enough to avoid (but then your other cat would still have to like it - good luck with that!), or you can keep the Himmy sequestered away from the food (or the other cat sequestered with the food).

A much easier solution is to put both cats on scheduled feedings. Believe me, even the grazer will quickly learn to eat when food is offered. I transitioned 16 cats who had been eating free-choice all their lives to portioned, scheduled meals. Within a week, all of them were finishing their portions within 5 mins of being fed. No big deal.

Laurie

razzle · 07-29-2010, 07:32 PM

My Geets would eat himself to death if I let him. He loves food, but I have to be stronger than him. I would get rid of the dry food and just give him wet food on a schedule 2 to 3 times a day. Go to catinfo.org about dry food and why feeding cats wet food is so much better. Cats feed wet food will eat 4 to 6 ounces a day. Cats don't need to eat all the time.

Kathy

longhair · 07-30-2010, 10:25 AM

That sounds like a plan, but the other cat tends to like to graze dry food. When I give her wet, she tends to just lick it. She is a Persian with an extreme face and it seems hard for her to actually bite the food. The Himmy has a baby face and will scarf easily.

I'm hoping when he becomes an adult, he will be a little less of a pig!

laurief · 07-30-2010, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longhair

When I give her wet, she tends to just lick it. She is a Persian with an extreme face and it seems hard for her to actually bite the food.

Feed her pate style canned food mixed with warm water to make it a thick gruel that she can lap up - no biting or chewing required.

Laurie

razzle · 07-30-2010, 07:36 PM

It also depends on the type of feeding bowl you are using. Cats like bowls where their whiskers don't touch the bowl. So a plate might be better for her. I guess it's a feeling thing since whiskers sense things. Also some cats whose wet food contains bits with gravy will just lick the gravy especially if they don't like the food. My Razzle does that-gravy licking.

Kathy

07-29-2010, 09:19 AM	#1 (permalink)
longhair Kitten Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 17	Kitty eats and eats and eats! My 6 month old Himmy had to go on prescription food (wet) for stool problems. Now that he is better, we want to transition him back to keeping some dry out all day. (the other cat is a grazer) Problem is, Kitty has an appetite and would eat until he pops!! He begs for food constantly and he eats over a can a day of the prescription food. How do we keep some dry food out without him eating all of it??

07-29-2010, 09:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
laurief Cat Addict Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: northern Minnesota Posts: 2,576	You don't ... at least not if it's a food he wants to eat and not if he has access to it. You could always try to find a food that he hates enough to avoid (but then your other cat would still have to like it - good luck with that!), or you can keep the Himmy sequestered away from the food (or the other cat sequestered with the food). A much easier solution is to put both cats on scheduled feedings. Believe me, even the grazer will quickly learn to eat when food is offered. I transitioned 16 cats who had been eating free-choice all their lives to portioned, scheduled meals. Within a week, all of them were finishing their portions within 5 mins of being fed. No big deal. Laurie

07-29-2010, 07:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
razzle Tom Cat Join Date: May 2010 Location: Orange, MA Posts: 467	My Geets would eat himself to death if I let him. He loves food, but I have to be stronger than him. I would get rid of the dry food and just give him wet food on a schedule 2 to 3 times a day. Go to catinfo.org about dry food and why feeding cats wet food is so much better. Cats feed wet food will eat 4 to 6 ounces a day. Cats don't need to eat all the time. Kathy

07-30-2010, 10:25 AM	#4 (permalink)
longhair Kitten Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 17	That sounds like a plan, but the other cat tends to like to graze dry food. When I give her wet, she tends to just lick it. She is a Persian with an extreme face and it seems hard for her to actually bite the food. The Himmy has a baby face and will scarf easily. I'm hoping when he becomes an adult, he will be a little less of a pig!

07-30-2010, 07:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
razzle Tom Cat Join Date: May 2010 Location: Orange, MA Posts: 467	It also depends on the type of feeding bowl you are using. Cats like bowls where their whiskers don't touch the bowl. So a plate might be better for her. I guess it's a feeling thing since whiskers sense things. Also some cats whose wet food contains bits with gravy will just lick the gravy especially if they don't like the food. My Razzle does that-gravy licking. Kathy

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