ASK MS. KITTY
Accidental Diet
Where and how to feed and hydrate your cat Dear Ms. Kitty: I have four cats and keep dry food out for them all the time in a quiet place near the kitchen. But my big tabby boy Milo keeps losing weight. Am I doing something wrong? âSkinny in Salida Dear Skinny: You donât mention your feeding details, but the right setup can go a long way toward helping Milo feel sufficiently comfortable to eat enough. As pet parents, it warms our hearts to see our cats doing things together, like eating, sleeping and grooming. Cats donât hunt together in the wild, however. It doesnât take a pack of cats to catch an insect or rodent, their main prey. Cats instinctively remove their prey from
other cats to eat so they can get enough nourishment. When we expect our cats to eat side by side, we may be setting them up for conflict. Take a careful look at Miloâs body language. If he isnât completely relaxed and focused on his food while eating instead of watching out for your other cats, he may not feel safe enough to eat as much as he needs. Watch also for food bullying, even if accidental. Confident and highly food-motivated cats may naturally push shy ones out of the way. If Milo stops and darts away in the middle of eating, you may need to give him a different space. Try giving him his own dish a few feet away from the main feeding station. He may not be the only one of your clowder to benefit from
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having another safe place to eat. Much like litter boxes, you may need a separate feeding station per cat. Milo may even benefit from being fed in a completely different room. Again, this is just insurance for preventing possible conflicts over food, even if they donât seem intentional on the part of your other cats. Please make sure the bowls are fresh by changing them out every few days. Itâs hard for a cat to groom the very bottom of his chin, which can lead to feline acne. A clean bowl will keep bacteria from building up and ensure that the food tastes fresh. Ceramic and stainless-steel bowls harbor less bacteria than plastic ones. Donât forget Miloâs water! Did you know cats will drink more water if itâs separate from their food source? Placing several water bowls around the house ensures regular access to water as well as backup sources, should one get tipped over. Cats were originally desert animals, so they may not drink as much as they should. Offering more water choices will encourage all your cats to get the hydration they need. Water fountains can be a great way to encourage your cats to drink more. Look for a simple fountain with few parts so it is easy to clean every few days. Not all cats are attracted to the sound
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of running water, so start out with a quiet fountain. When you introduce your new fountain, keep their regular water bowls in the same place and put the fountain in a different spot. Cats appreciate gradual changes and choices, so keeping both options will give them time to decide if they like the fountains well enough to replace the bowls. If these simple changes donât encourage Milo to eat (and drink!) a little more, it may be time for a trip to his veterinarian. An exam and testing can rule out illnesses like dental issues, hyperthyroidism or kidney disease, especially if Milo is getting older. Your cat has nothing to lose and everything to gain! Sara Ferguson is the Director of Happy Cats Haven. Ask Ms. Kitty supports cat behavior consulting offered on our website at HappyCatsHaven.org/helpline/. â
