Feeding two cats when one overeats – what to do next

Unlike dogs, some cats tend to not eat all the food in front of them. That’s why free-choice feeding is used by some cat owners as long as the cat is able to maintain its weight. Some pet owners, however, will find this to be a challenge when they have at least two cats. One cat may end up overeating and take the other cat’s share of food. Here’s what you can try to resolve the feeding problem.

Set up a microchip feeder

An automatic microchip feeder will only release food when the registered cat appears in front of the unit. This will at least stop the other cat from “stealing” and eating more food than it should. Make sure you get a feeder with a well-structured enclosure. This prevents the other cat from accessing the food from the rear or sides.

Feed in separate rooms

This may not work well for people with time constraints but you may need to feed the two cats in separate rooms. Take the bowl away once the casually-grazing cat is done with its meal. Some cats may prefer eating small meals at multiple times, while other cats may prefer one or two large meals. This method may only work if you are at home and have the time to feed the cat multiple times.

Try puzzle feeders

You don’t have to do this all the time but try having your “chonky” cat work for its food every once in a while using a puzzle feeder. The overeating cat may mentally checkout after putting in the effort to find and eat the kibbles or cat treats. You might also find the overeating issue become less of a issue if both cats get an ample amount of playtime. Cats need to be stimulated both mentally and physically.