Feeding Overweight and Underweight Cats
Multi cat households can be a nightmare when it comes to feeding because there are always cats that I like to call Gobblers and those I like to call Grazers. Some cats prefer to just eat a little when they want it throughout the day and a dry diet can be perfect as it can just be left down without the worry of it going off or attracting flies. The problem surfaces when you also have Gobblers in the same household. You know the ones I mean? The ‘If I eat faster I’ll get more’ types. These are the ones that run round shoveling food in faster than they can chew it, the ones that more often than not regurgitate it in small piles all over the house for you to find later. I know a few Siamese cat owners will know just what I am talking about!
 Overweight Cats – Gobblers!
These Gobblers often end up overweight. This is particularly the case in adult neuters and those indoor cats that just don’t feel the need to exercise! Being over-weight can affect your cats health and can in many cases shorten their life-span. There many things to help the situation but as always prevention is better than a cure. Try the following tips to make sure that everyone stays at their ideal weights.
- Try to feed any Gobblers separately – this way the pressure is off them to eat theirs as fast a possible as they soon learn that they can no longer steal the others food.
- Try hiding dry food about around the house. This encourages your cats’ natural instincts to forage. Of course there will be some individuals that never get the hang of this but the good thing about Gobblers is that they are highly food motivated.
- Invest in a treat ball. These plastic balls can hold a portion of dry food and the cat has to knock the ball about in order for the food to fall out of it. Making them work for their food will give them something to think about.
- Encourage your cats to exercise by playing with them daily with a feather tickler teaching them to fetch a small toy.
Underweight Cats – Grazers!
Of course at the other end of the spectrum are the fussy ones – the ones that just seem to turn their noses up at whatever you offer them! Of course, a cat that suddenly develops a fussy attitude can be a sign that something is wrong but if it is just your cats character than there are many things that you can try. For instance:
- When wet food has been in the fridge your fussy cat may just not want to eat it cold. Try warming the food to room temperature in the microwave.
- Warming food can make food smell stronger. Cats eat, not only with their eyes but also with their nose so try stronger smelling foods for the fussier cat.
- In a multi-cat household, your fussy eater may just not want to share. Try creating a space for them where they can eat in piece and not have to share in the melee at meal times.
- Try to keep food bowls clean. As discussed in an earlier article keeping dishes clean is vital to your cats’ health and well-being. But some cats just do not wish to eat off a dirty saucer. And I don’t blame them! I would not want to eat off a dirty plate either!
