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- Sep 1, 2014
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This may be more of a behavior and lifestyle question than a nutrition one, so if there's a better forum for it, I'll be happy to move it.
I have 3 adult cats, two of a healthy weight and one 9 year old neutered male tipping the scale at a hefty 24 pounds. He's not just big-boned either - this boy is a circle (and a really dense one at that - he's not squishy). He is appropriately active for his age, goes up and down stairs, climbs on the chairs and bed to be with me, and will go out to his catio with prompting (he won't use the cat-door, but will go out the people-sized door if I open it for him.) Still, his weight is a danger to his joints, and will only get harder and harder to take off with age, so I know I have to do something.
The other two cats are doing fine on free-choice meals. Are there any clever ways to reduce his intake without having to go to fully separate, daily-timed feedings? I have a fairly unpredictable schedule, so it's easy to keep free-choice bowls full, but a lot harder to guarantee being home for regular mealtimes. But I can't be the only one in this situation. What strategies have you folks used?
I have 3 adult cats, two of a healthy weight and one 9 year old neutered male tipping the scale at a hefty 24 pounds. He's not just big-boned either - this boy is a circle (and a really dense one at that - he's not squishy). He is appropriately active for his age, goes up and down stairs, climbs on the chairs and bed to be with me, and will go out to his catio with prompting (he won't use the cat-door, but will go out the people-sized door if I open it for him.) Still, his weight is a danger to his joints, and will only get harder and harder to take off with age, so I know I have to do something.
The other two cats are doing fine on free-choice meals. Are there any clever ways to reduce his intake without having to go to fully separate, daily-timed feedings? I have a fairly unpredictable schedule, so it's easy to keep free-choice bowls full, but a lot harder to guarantee being home for regular mealtimes. But I can't be the only one in this situation. What strategies have you folks used?