one fat cat and one skinny cat?

Question

ok, i have two cats, one is 2yrs old and fat, the other is 1 and skinny. ive had the 2yr since she was big enough to fit in my hand, and i just adopted the 1yr from a shelter about 6months ago. they said that she had been vaccinated and wormed before i got her, i need a diet for the fat one, and a way to get the other one to gain weight. how do i do this when they are in the same house? i need one to stop eating so much and one to start eatin more. :o)

i could put them in two different bowls, but that would mean i would have to put them in different rooms to feed them because casey is a fat @$$ and will eat the other ones food. lol im not joking.

nothing is wrong with separating them, its just hard because of my work schedule, so therefore i usually leave food in the bowl and they eat periodically throughout the day

Answer 1

The perfect solution for you is to switch both of them to the same high-quality canned food.

This food won't "fatten" the skinny cat up per se, but will contribute to good health. For the fatty, it will help with weight loss.

From my blog:
In a nutshell, most cats are fat because they've been fed too much (free-feeding or indulging them) and because they're fed dry food which is NOT appropriate food for them due to the grain/carb/sugar content. Cats are obligate carnivores who need to eat a high meat-based protein diet, which is also high in fats and low in carbs.

Many vets, who are sadly ignorant on the topic of proper cat nutrition, will recommend prescription diet foods (usually dry). Cats are expected to lose weight on a starvation diet of 1/4 or 1/3 cup of food per day. Everyone is miserable in these situations.

The solution is to switch the fat cat (and any others in the household as well) to a good quality canned food. Because these foods are species appropriate, the cat will lose weight at a safe, slow pace (no more than 1 pound per month). Switching foods needs to occur slowly, and if you're trying to get a kibble junkie to eat canned food, that will happen naturally.

That's it. Easy as pie. Not only will fat cats lose weight, but it and any others in the home will reap many benefits of eating a speciies appropriate diet.

See the links below for detailed information on this topic.

EDIT: The dry food/dental health myth WILL NOT DIE!
The myth that dry food cleans teeth debunked: http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=doesdryfoo...
4. Dental Care for Cats: http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=dentalcare...

Answer 2

If you are talking about a overweight fat cat versus a healthy cat then No, fat cats have a lot more health problems as they get older then a healthy normal weighted cat. But, if you are talking about breed types, like the difference between a Siamese and a Maincoon, yes, the leaner cats are a lot more active but they are also a lot more affectionate and a lot more fun to have around, unless you just want a cat that will lay around and do nothing then you better stick with one of those big cats like the Maincoons or the Persians, they lack the personality and the loyalty of the leaner cats so they are a good all around couch potato. If you want a lazy large cat breed then a Persian, Maincoon or Himalayan are good but they do require a lot of care for their coats, but those are your most lazy breeds, but as kittens they will also get into mischief a lot so if you do not want a cat like that then get a older cat like one that is about 2-3 years,m then they will be lazy and slow, contact breeders and ask for their retired cats that is usually your best bet to get a older will behaved cat. IF the breeder is a good one and that is where you need to do your homework, and make sure you do it because if not you can end up with a sick or very ill cat and lots of vet bills.

Answer 3

seems how you got the second cat from a shelter, all you made need for that one is time. if it was not fed or was a stray, it probably didn't eat like it should. i would still take a stool sample from the recently adopted cat to a vet and have it checked for internal parasites. feed them at the same time in separate areas. have the fatter one a a weight control food and follow the directions on the package. if one gets done before the other make sure it doesn't eat the other ones food. you could give the skinny one kitten food. stop free feeding or the one cat will stay fat

Answer 4

I had this problem with my last 2 cats. I fed the skinny one on a bookshelf a couple of feet up (on the narrow part in front of the books). The fat cat couldn't jump up there or balance on the ledge, and the skinny cat could eat her higher calorie food in peace.

Answer 5

Make a box with an entrance hole that the fat cat can't fit into, and put the skinny cat's food in there.

Answer 6

if they have different bowls try putting the "weight control" cat food in the fat cats. the skinny cat might not like what she's eating so try changing the food, try use canned cat food that has real fish inside.

Answer 7

1st thing you want to do is NOT leave food out for them all day long. Feed them one time a day. Do not refill the bowl.

2nd seperate them while they are eating. It may take them time to get used to that, but it is better for them. If they do not eat it all in one sitting, take the bowl away. By the next day they will be hungry enough too eat it all. I know it sounds cruel, but they will not starve to death in one day.

For the skinny cat i would reccomend kitten food. It has more fat that regular cat food, for the other get science diet cat food, they have one for overwieght cats. Good luck.

As too the above answer, my vet told me NOT to feed my cat or dog canned food. It is not good for their teeth. My cat had a bad tooth that got infected, cost me 500 dollar to get it extracted. They cleaned her teeth and told me no more canned food. Good luck.

Answer 8

The only thing I can think of is placing one cat in one room with the door shut with his food, another cat in another room with her food then go to work. I know it may be a pain in the @ss but it may work.

Answer 9

steer clear of food porn

Answer 10

lift and lower a soy sauce bottle 170 times with your right hand and a wok 170 times with your left