Fatty/Skinny! - (edited) tips/hints welcomed for 2 very different eaters!

[Fire Fox]

That's a good idea, only thing is she isn't that keen on biscuits (unless they are the treat variety  )

I don't want to buy a big bag for them to just go to waste... I might see if my vet has some samples for me to try

Thanks Trigger 

I e-mailed loads of cat food manufacturers before I got Noah and had a really positive result - I ended up with ~3kg of kibble absolutely free IIRC.  The dry food that will be the highest in useable calories/ nutrition will be a high meat and grain free formula such as Applaws, Orijen, Fish4cats, Pets at Home Purely (70% only), Porta21 (sensible only).

The alternative could be to try some smellier food like slightly warmed sardine cat food (e.g. Pets at Home Purely 156g tins) or tuna flavoured. If she only eats the jelly, maybe mash the meat into the jelly? Some picky cats go crazy for raw and Cooper wouldn't be able to bolt bone in meat. 

[Lotzy]

I would try giving Peanut extra small meals when you know Cooper is out or asleep.  My girl tends to lick the jelly/gravy off and then come back for a proper meal an hour or so later.  Luckily her brother is often out!

If Peanut only tends to eat the jelly, it might be worth trying another brand as she might prefer the meat in that.

[Cooper & Peanut]

That's a good idea, only thing is she isn't that keen on biscuits (unless they are the treat variety  )

I don't want to buy a big bag for them to just go to waste... I might see if my vet has some samples for me to try

Thanks Trigger 

[Kay and Penny]

could you slip her some good quality dry kitten food when Cooper isn't around? it is high calorie so even if she only eats a bit it will give her overall intake a boost

and being dry you can put what she leaves to one side and try again later

[Cooper & Peanut]

I will gladly try anything, I just don't want to cause any health issues with Peanut because I think she is really skinny as it is and would hate it if I made her worse...

If you think she'll be okay, I will be more strict with set meal times and see how it goes for a week

 

[Gillian Harvey]

So if I remove the food, she won't have eaten until I try again later on that day.

Hmmm, difficult when you've got one like that. Does she do the same in the evening? I wonder if you tried it and see if maybe she would get into a routine? just a thought.

[Cooper & Peanut]

What bothers me with that, is that when I feed them in the morning, Cooper tucks in but Peanut has a lick and then walks off and goes back to bed 

So if I remove the food, she won't have eaten until I try again later on that day.

The only time I've really see her get stuck in and eat plenty was when I first brought them home (which you'd think would be the opposite!!!  )

[Gillian Harvey]

I think scheduled mealtimes are the best way to see who's eating what, rather than leaving food down. I feed mine morning, evening and bedtime - and I stand and watch the proceedings!  They don't get food in between times, except what they might pinch off my plate! 

[Cooper & Peanut]

It's a tricky situation, making sure that she eats enough. Whatever is left from what Cooper has demolished, I know that poor Peanut won't get a look in cuz he'll come back down and polish it off 

I think I shall have to make a point of feeding her bits of chicken/fish from my hand rather than leaving a bowl of food down. It's okay when I'm at home, cuz I can keep an eye on who's eating what, but goodness knows what'll happen when I'm at work 

If anyone has any handy tips on how to deal with 2 cats who eat differently - they'd be gratefully received! 

[clarenmax]

Not sure hun, I know that females are generally smaller though?

I've no idea how much Pooty weighs, but Max was a big lad, he was 5.5kg, think he was nearly 6kg at one point!!!

[Cooper & Peanut]

I weighed Cooper & Peanut this morning.

Cooper came in at 4.2kg
Peanut came in at 2.5kg

Worried about her weight - does that seem a little too much on the skinny side? Or is that quite normal for females??

Cooper eats well, think he's eating Peanut's share too!