How to stop my overweight cat from overeating kibble when free-feeding?

Question

Hello, we have a cat we got as a stray kitten. She had always been slightly over weight but recently she has become addicted to her kibble. She eats for hours constantly. We have to free feed due to our schedules and our other cat will only graze throughout the day. We already only feed them with a cat tree or with treat balls to make it more challenging. But now she will not leave her food for anything. We’re at a loss. Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed

Dr. Heidi DVM, CVA, CCRT, CVTP, CVSMT, CVCH · Accepted Answer

I have a couple of suggestions for you. First, one of my friends used a latch to create an opening in their laundry room door that only the skinny cat could fit through. They left food in there for the skinnier cat to free feed throughout the day and meal fed the heavier cat. Second, if your skinnier cat will eat from food balls or no-bowl feeders, I would feed all meals in that way. Third, I would only feed twice the amount of food that the heavier cats needs twice daily. That way the skinnier cat has enough to eat, but there isn't enough extra for Luna to eat. The skinnier cats tend to get this concept after a couple of days and eat more at a meal instead of grazing as much. Finally, you could consider changing to or adding a canned food meal. That may help the skinnier cat eat a "meal" instead of grazing. Canned food is less "addicting" and less fattening than dry food, so it might be beneficial for both cats. I use a timed feeder (CatMate C20) with canned food to keep my cats from waking me up too early in the morning. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

How to stop my overweight cat from overeating kibble when free-feeding?

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