Why won't my kitten eat his own food?

Question

I have a 3-year-old cat who eats Royal Canin Indoor Cat Formula 37, and I have a 4-month-old kitten I started on Iams Kitten. I don't know if it's just because he wants to do what my other cat does, but he won't eat his own food---he likes to eat hers! Some of his food looks to be gone, too, so I don't know if they're eating each other's or if he's eating out of both. So this is kind of a two-parter:

1. Will eating the other's food hurt either one of them?
2. How can I get them to stick to their own dishes?

Answer 1

Neither will be "hurt" by this. The kitten food has a little more protein and fat than regular cat food. Kittens burn up food really fast because of their activity level and high growth rate.

If the kitten can't make it to the counter yet, I'm sure the older cat would like to have her meal in peace and be happy to jump up there to eat. I guess the washer-dryer would work to if you are very opposed to having a cat on your counter.

If these are dry foods you should know that cats should have two meals a day. Their digestive systems need 8-20 hours for good digestion, especially if the food is dry. The kitten will need more than this so use the Iam's canned food for her a couple more times a day.

Oh, goodie, goodie! At least two other people here who have a more natural or holistic approach to feeding cats. My cats get a raw meat diet (with an appropriate supplement powder mixed in)

Answer 2

1. It shouldn't hurt them if they eat each other's food. Cat food is made for cats, which they both happen to be. Maybe if you're worried, you could put some more nutrients and vitamins in the kitten's food, but he should be ok.

2. The only thing I can think of to stop this is to feed them in seperate rooms or at different times. If you leave the bowls for them to nibble all day, they're both going to be eating whatever they want. Feed them only a few times a day, like 2 for the older cat and maybe 3 smaller portions for the kitten.

Answer 3

Kittens should eat kitten food, it's developed to provide the essentials they need to grow strong healthy bones and teeth among other nutrients and has lots of protein. It won't hurt him, but it won't help him grow to be healthy.
Protein is probably not what your older cat needs a lot of because it will tend to cause your older cat to gain weight, again it won't hurt, but it won't help either.

Feed the kitten in a room that you can close the door to, but it sounds like you are free feeding, if that's the case try separating their bowls to different rooms in the house. Try adding a little of the adult's cat food to the kitten's food, just a small amount and mix it around. It might be satisfied with the mixture and leave the adult cat's food alone for awhile.

Answer 4

Quit with the Iams. Go with Royal Canin. For reasons read "Foods Pets Die For" by Ann N Martin. You will be shocked and amazed.
No eating each other's food won't hurt them.
Don't try to keep them at their own dishes. Feed them the same food and don't worry about it. Kitten food isn't all that different from adult, and the kitten is old enough to be on adult food anyway. Save yourself the trouble.

Answer 5

I have four cats, three of them feed from bowls on the floor, the other must have his away from the pack, on the kitchen bench. I am happy with this arrangement, as it stops the cats from fighting. The three that eat on the floor have a habit of swapping bowls etc... its not up to me to force my ways on to them, If they are happy to do this, so am I. Actually eating all that processed, dry food will hurt both of them in the long run. Did you know that the manufacturers use slow release poisons in these products. You will not notice anything medically wrong with your cats, YET, but will do so 5 years down. Pay for their health now, rather than later by feeding a more natural diet, perhaps organic chicken mince to that add a variety of vegetables like, carrot, beans, peas, corn, cheese, brown rice,lettuce, raw egg yolk, crushed garlic, beef etc...
Patience and tolerance is needed on your part, why do they HAVE to stick to their respective bowls, and why should it bother you if its OK with the cat.

Answer 6

Why will the mother Cat not let her older kittens eat food placed in bowl? She slaps at him to stay away. He is only 5 months old; however, she acts mean to him for some reason. In fact, she will not let the runt eat either. Why do mother cats forget their kittens so quickly? I tried to talk to Cali in a nice way to let her kitten eat - it did no good to talk with her - she is a stray and I think she has another litter hid in our boat! Is there any way to talk her into letting other eat or is that just a cat?

Answer 7

I have 3 cats at home 1 male 2 female, at first when they were young i gave them each a bowl so that when they are older they wouldn't fight. but when they grow older, they tend to eat from one bowl and usually the leader in the group will eat first, for my case the male is the leader, he will eat first them the rest will eat. I did find out why is this happening with one of my local pet shop. The owner of the pet shop told me that this is how they behave, if you have more them 2 cats there will bond to be a leader in it, and the rest of the other cat will respect him/her. So is common for them to eat from a bowl, they actaully share the food. if you separate them to different bowl the leader will not get the respect it wants sometime things will happen, this was what the pet shop assistance advice me hope it helps you.

Answer 8

cats establish a pecking order and the dominent cat will steal from other cats. Cats are very adaptable and unless the kitten is totally shut out from food he won't be harmed. I seperate both my cats bowls and direct them to their bowl with spoon taps or gentle nudging. Failing that, try feeding the kitten on your counter top. That worked for me when I had an agressive dog.

Answer 9

I have the same problem with my 2 year old female and 5 month old male who eat each others food. I still can't figure it out. I hope someone gives us a good solution to try. I desperatly need. my kitten needs to gain weight and my cat needs to lose. sorry I couldn't help more. Good Luck anyways!!! =^-^=

Answer 10

Kitty has good instincts and knows that Royal Canin is much better than Iams!

Check this out:

http://www.catinfo.org