My elder kitty has a special food, because of his age and the vet recommended it us, for him to eat due to the richness of the other type of dry cat food. Other words, he gets older cat food, and my eight month old kitten loves to eat from the same bowl as him, even avoiding her kitten food that I put out for her. Is it okay for a kitten to be eating is food or should I stagger their feeding times? If He eats the other type of food put out, I usually have a nice mess to clean up on the carpet or the bed.
2007-02-08 15:32:48 · 11 answers · asked by kitten ~ 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
The kitten isn't going to get sick from eating the older cat's food, however it also isn't getting all the nourishment that it needs as older cat food has a lot less protien in it. It's a hard thing to deal with, I understand as I have one young cat and one old cat. I just let them deal with it, and as long as they both get food into their system I figure, fine. Just watch out that the older one doesn't eat too much of the younger cat's food and get fat,that's the biggest worry really, because you don't want a fat cat, it shortens the cat's life. What you will probably find is that the younger cat will be back and forth to the food bowl a lot more and make up for whatever protien it needs, especially if it is an active cat. Don't drive yourself crazy with staggered cat feeding time. I know you love your cats and want to do the best for them, but cats are very adaptable, that's why so many people have cats. In the latest pole it has finally gotten to the point where more people have cats than dogs because they are easy to take care of.
2007-02-08 17:21:53 · answer #1 · answered by lochmessy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I also have an older cat on a special diet as well as a 5 month old kitten. I have to seperate them while they are eating because the older cat will definiltey try to take the baby kitten's food away. This also means I can't leave food down for the kitten unattended so I feed them both at the same time, seperate from each other, 3 times a day. Kitten food is like a cheeseburger and fries to us, yummy food filled with calories that smells delicious. Any cat in their right mind would prefer this to a regular diet. Try not to let your kitten eat too much of the other food. It is very important your cat eat kitten food. They will need it for the growth and development that takes place in the first year of their life.
Good luck with your cats!
2007-02-08 17:05:11 · answer #2 · answered by catcrazy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
kitten food has a higher protein level and senior food has less protein and more lutein for healthy eyes and chondrotin for joints but if either cat eats a little of the other food it wont hurt them at all but try to get the kitten to eat the higher protein food for growth .My senior eats the same as the 2 younger cats and they are fine he is nearly 15 and the others are 7 and 5 OK
2007-02-08 15:43:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The older cat's food is probably specially formulated with reduced calories and sodium etc etc so he doesn't get obese or strain his kidneys. A kitten however simply cannot get enough nutrition into it's system. They need extremely nutritious food because they are growing at a phenomenal rate and are so energetic (until they flop over exhausted and fal asleep of course). I would really recommend you ensure your kitten gets his own food until he is at least one year old. This will ensure he grows up nice and strong and prevent any future medical problems.
2007-02-08 15:41:10 · answer #4 · answered by aken 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It will not hurt your kitten to eat the other cat's food, but the other food does not have the higher fat and nutrient levels kittens need, so make sure kitten food is still your kitten's main diet. Try seperating them when you feed them to make sure she eats some kitten food first.
2007-02-08 15:40:37 · answer #5 · answered by talon 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It certainly won't hurt your baby kitten, I'm just wondering if it has all the nutrients for strong bones and such that the little kitty is requiring. Ask your vet that put your older kitty on this diet
2007-02-08 15:47:59 · answer #6 · answered by Cheryl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's OK..but make sure your kitten eats the kitten food for development. extra calories for building blocks.
2007-02-08 15:36:39 · answer #7 · answered by Robert B 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
sure no problem as long as he doesn't take away from the other cats diet or eat too much
2007-02-08 15:36:01 · answer #8 · answered by ♥queen b♥ 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
no but your cat probible likes the food the owner of that cats gives its cat
2007-02-08 15:41:28 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
No, you have to feed them separately.
2007-02-09 00:44:33 · answer #10 · answered by Lydia 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋