Food

[slleipnir]

Does anyone feed their cats different food? How do you get them to eat their own, and not the others? Butter is on a special food to increase the pH level in his urine, and Kiba eats regular food. I've been trying to feed them smaller amounts twice a day instead of always having food out. But they don't eat it all. I don't want them to be really hungry all day. How do you go about it?

Have any of your heard of cd food? That is what Butter is on now. Also, how long do you leave canned food out if they don't eat it all? Like how long before it goes bad?

[RedHedd]

My two are on different foods - Mishi is on Hill's prescription X/D and Mitzi is on non-prescription Science Diet Light/Hairball (because she's a heavy furball :D )

Their feeding stations are in different rooms and for the most part they don't eat each other's food, although Mitzi does sometimes sneak and eat Mishi's food; Mishi doesn't eat her food at all - he knows where HIS food is, although he's quite the gentleman when it comes to sharing. The food is left out for them to free-feed. I guess I'm just lucky.

[Lizzie]

The only cat in my household who is free-fed is Ginger, who is very old. The rest get half-an-hour in the morning and two half-hour sessions in the evening to eat what they need. Yes, they get hungry, but they are healthy adult cats and it won't hurt them; I actually believe it's best for them. I use separate rooms also but sometimes have to simply stand guard - a good job they understand the word "no"! In a household of 19 cats, I feed 8 different diets.

[jenluckenbach]

You will need to feed them on a schedule, and separately. the first few times you offer them food, they will not eat it all (because they are used to thinking there will be more whenever they want it) they will get used to eating it ALL at one sitting....VERY quickly!!! :D :D

[catmandu]

The Found Cats get
Nutro Complete Care Indoor
Science Diet Chicken and Rice Dry.
Eukanuba Dry when its on sale.
Fancy Feast Canned.
Sheba Pouches
And Max Cat Pouches and Pro Plan Canned.
All free fed when they want it!
And odd bits of Steak, Cheese and Chicken.

[Freedom]

Separate bedrooms, with doors closed. Problem is, we have 7 cats and "only" 4 bedrooms. Dad says we need to get a bigger house for the cats! And now a pup is coming, sigh.

[Glacier]

Ask your vet about feeding them both the prescription food. Pete used to eat the c/d formula. He's switched a different brand now, but all my cats eat it. I tried feeding on a schedule and had a kitty revolt on my hands--which involved large amounts of pee on my kitchen counter! My vet said the prescription urinary tract formulas are safe for any adult cat. I free feed everyone Pete's prescription food and they are much happier with that. When I had a kitten, she got a growth formula until she was about 10 months old.

I give out canned food in the morning. Although it rarely happens, if it's not gone in 30 minutes I empty the dishes.

[Uabassoon]

It takes a few days, but it's easy to get them into a routine. Divide their food into two meals, then feed them in seperate bedrooms. Leave them with their food for around 20 minutes, after that pick up the food and don't feed them again until night. At night do the exact same thing. After a day or two they will learn that they need to eat their food when you feed them.

[Catty1]

I have two neutered boys. One got a few crystals and bladder infection, and went on a special food for that.

Both cats eat it - it's a preventative for the other furbaby, and less hassle.

Might be the easiest way to go.