Question:

I have three indoor cats (two male and one female). My female cat was recently spayed and has since gained weight. They currently all eat together; how can I curb her weight without restricting food for the other two?

Answer:

Cats are more likely to gain weight after being spayed. They can become more inactive and easily put on weight.

The multi-cat household can also pose a feeding challenge. Like people, some cats can eat like racehorses and stay trim while others become overweight. So, you have to be creative with your feeding routine. While it is more natural for cats to nibble small amounts throughout the day, if you have some cats in the household that can’t be fed free choice then you have to change your feeding routines.

Put your cats in separate rooms during feeding times and allow them a ration of food (check with your veterinarian for the proper amount) for a set amount of time, such as 30 minutes. Then pick up all the food until the next feeding. The advantage of doing this is so you can tailor each feeding to the specific cat.

Don’t forget to try to engage your overweight cat in play activities as well. There are toys that cats can roll around and chase in the effort to get a food treat that are nice to have if you are gone all day.

This question was answered by Dr. Lauren Keating, owner of Natural Bridge Hospital for Animals in Natural Bridge Station, Virginia.