- Joined
- Oct 26, 2016
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I have a 1-year old, Mr. Johnny Cash. He has been free fed with kibble (2 different food bowls in different rooms in the morning) and then a tablespoon or so of soft food in the evenings. He was always very regulated in his eating and often had some kibble left over the next day even though I always measured out the amount that was appropriate for his age and weight. His weight had been steady at around 9 lbs for a few months and I had assumed he was really just done growing at that point.
Then I got a new kitten, Miss Joan Jett in mid-August. After the "intro period" where they had been separated, they both began eating each other's food even though Mr. Johnny Cash was on adult food (Royal Canin Indoor Adult) and she had kitten food (Royal Canin for Spayed/Neutered). Within a few weeks, I thought he was looking chunky. At first, I just thought it was because my eyes weren't used to seeing him next to a kitten. Well, I had him weighed and he had put on 2lbs in just around 2 weeks!
Is there something psychological about him having to 'compete' for food with a kitten that would contribute to him starting to eat more and put on weight? Even though he's not "fat" at this point, his weight gain is noticeable. Should I be more careful about this?
I also noticed that ALL their food (again weighed for what was age/weight appropriate for both) would be gone by the time I got home from work. So I stopped free feeding and began distributing 1/2 their kibble in the morning and then 1/2 in the evening + the soft food. Still, their food is gone soooo fast. And they follow me / chase me whenever they think it's food time. I don't think I should feed more than the suggested amount so have slightly upped it but not all that much.
I don't want to add much more to my daily routine but does the approach I'm taking seem reasonable? Should I worry about them eating each other's food even though one is for kittens, the other for adults? I don't want to be too controlling about the amount they eat but it seems like they'd be total gluttons if I don't monitor it. Just looking for ideas and guidance!
Then I got a new kitten, Miss Joan Jett in mid-August. After the "intro period" where they had been separated, they both began eating each other's food even though Mr. Johnny Cash was on adult food (Royal Canin Indoor Adult) and she had kitten food (Royal Canin for Spayed/Neutered). Within a few weeks, I thought he was looking chunky. At first, I just thought it was because my eyes weren't used to seeing him next to a kitten. Well, I had him weighed and he had put on 2lbs in just around 2 weeks!
Is there something psychological about him having to 'compete' for food with a kitten that would contribute to him starting to eat more and put on weight? Even though he's not "fat" at this point, his weight gain is noticeable. Should I be more careful about this?
I also noticed that ALL their food (again weighed for what was age/weight appropriate for both) would be gone by the time I got home from work. So I stopped free feeding and began distributing 1/2 their kibble in the morning and then 1/2 in the evening + the soft food. Still, their food is gone soooo fast. And they follow me / chase me whenever they think it's food time. I don't think I should feed more than the suggested amount so have slightly upped it but not all that much.
I don't want to add much more to my daily routine but does the approach I'm taking seem reasonable? Should I worry about them eating each other's food even though one is for kittens, the other for adults? I don't want to be too controlling about the amount they eat but it seems like they'd be total gluttons if I don't monitor it. Just looking for ideas and guidance!