Feeding Multiple Cats (New mommy here!)

[Justice]

I'm a new mommy to sister cats, 9 months old. Sydney is more outgoing, Malbec is quite skiddish. Then again, they are doing pretty well considering all they went through before we adopted them 3 weeks ago.

Here's the situation. In the morning, both girls wait for me to come downstairs to feed them. (This is a BIG improvement from when they first arrived and hid all the time...). in the evening, Sydney can't wait to be fed, and Malbec will not come out. I can't give the whole can of food, because Sydney will eat it all and not save any for her sister.

I dont want to bring the food to Malbec (who is appropriately hiding under the wine rack...) because I don't want to make a habit of this. I can't find a way to get her out to eat in the evenings though!

They both let me pet them, they are slowly getting used to me, but Malbec won't let me pick her up, so I can't even bring her to the food. Part of me feels as though she will come out if she's hungry enough, but at the same time, I don't know that 1/2 a can a day is enough nutrition for her. And the girls are very attached to each other, so separating them is probably not an option either. Malbec cries constantly if she can't find Sydney.

Also, both girls are running around the house once we go to bed. maybe I should just feed again before I turn in for the night?

Thanks for any suggestions,

EJ

[Tambrey]

Get a good quality kitten dry food like IAMS or Eukanuba and leave that out all the time...at this age, they still need to ahve access to food any time they are hungry...I still just always make sure food dishes have dry kibble in it for my cats...then you will also know thta she is getting food at some time during the day or night...

give them time....some take longer than others to get used to new places, people and routines...

unfortunately, cats are more nocturnal creatures, and are more prone to play after the lights go out...you get used to it!!
But then, after they learn your routines, they will probably begin to settle down for the night...

Make sure they get lots of playtime during the evening hours, and have toys to keep them busy during the day if you are away from the home then...

[Justice]

I have been feeding them Nutro - both dry and wet food.

Any amount of food I leave out, Sydney devours it. I brought food over to Malbie last night and had to keep Sydney away because she wanted it, even though she just ate her half! Greedy girl!

I was instructed by the shelter that one can per cat per day was more than enough for them. And I leave the dry food out too, but they eat that right away with the wet food.

Thanks for any ideas...

Erin

[Traci]

The canned probably isn't enough, and you have to remember they are still kittens, they expend alot of energy and need to replenish that energy on a constant basis. Kittens should always be free-fed, and dry food available to them at all times.

It could also be that Malbec doesn't care for the Nutro (in my opinion, it's not a quality food).

Have you had them both seen by your primary vet? It is always best to get your newly adopted seen immediately by your own vet, so he can examine them, deworm if necessary, test for FELV/FIV and vaccinate accordingly.

[Justice]

The girls have been fixed, vaccinated & dewormed, as well as tested for feline HIV while they were in the shelter. Their medical records are in transport to us - however all of these exams were done less then 2 months ago.

What should I be looking for in the food? We were advised by the shelter to purchase food that has no by-products.

I will try keeping the dry food out for them and see if that helps. Also, if we do take them to our regular vet once we get the records, any suggestions for getting Malbie in the carrier? She won't let me pick her up yet.

Thanks,
EJ

[Traci]

The food is a matter of opinion. In my opinion, Nutro might not have so many by-products, but it is full of other unnecessary ingredients. For what it's worth, there is nothing wrong with by-products in a quality food, as long as the source of the products are quality and the overall makeup of the food is balanced. Personally, I would suggest Iams kitten food.

As for getting them used to the carrier, leave the carrier out in the open somewhere they are accustomed to. Leave the door on it, open. Place a blanket, toys or treats inside so they can investigate it, get accustomed to it and not to fear it. Leave the carrier out for at least a week. Then when it comes time to get her in it, she will be less fearful of it.

Her not letting you pick her up, is it because she is fearful of you, or something in her environment? Are you taking it slow and earning her trust? Are you spending quality time with her? Are you actively engaging yourself in their playtime and activity? Some cats don't prefer to be picked up or held for long periods of time, and you shouldn't force her to be handled if this is the case. However, since she is still a kitten, chances are, with time and patience, she will learn to trust and will in time allow you to pick her up and hold her....give it more time.

[Justice]

Tracy,

Thanks for the tips. Things are so confusing right now because I am hearing such conflicting suggestions! The shelter told us NOT to give them kitten food, they are past the age of needing high calorie/ high protien food.

I will try the carrier tricks when we make an appointment. Thanks.

As far as involving myself, yes, I do try to play with them. I use a variety of toys, catnip, etc. Sometimes they play, sometimes they can't be bothered. They are alone a good part of the workweek, but I make myself involved when I am home. When they hide, I crawl down and talk to them, pet them, get them used to my voice. Malbie loves to be pet, but she does not want me to pick her up. She scratches and struggles to get away. I keep trying every now and then, and sometimes I can get her out a little further than the last time - but i don't want to traumatize her too much. Once she fights to get away, she will hiss at me if I want to pet her again.

Sydney is a little more friendly. She won't come to sit with me yet, but if I pick her up, she will stay with me for quite a while. They both love to be pet, have their tummies rubbed and they purr all night long. And they run around the house like crazy once I go to bed. There is evidence all over the place in the morning

EJ

[Traci]

It's good they both like to be petted and seem to enjoy the attention you give them. I think in time, once they both get used to their new environment, they will be more likely to allow you to hold them for longer periods of time, or pick them up without them struggling.

Kittens can be fed a high quality kitten food until 1 year of age. Some kittens can be graduated to an adult maintenance diet at around 8 months of age. It depends on the kitten, the growth and development completion, their individual nutritional needs, etc.

I always recommend that owners talk to their own primary vets about care, health, nutrition, and individual needs, especially directly after adopting from a shelter environment. Shelter staff are often not qualified to advise on these matters.

[Justice]

Thanks Traci, you have been very helpful and made me feel quite welcome here. Thanks for understanding that new mommies have lots of questions

As soon as I get their records, I will be taking both girls to my regular vet.

EJ

[boo77]

hope no one minds if i add another question to this thread..

i posted here about a month ago about uri questions..glad to say both cats are doing very well..the uri cleared up and they are both very healthy and chasing each other around the house (in a good way

my question is also regarding feeding..
cooper is almost 3, zooey is 7 months. I am finding it difficult to keep them on regular feeding schedules..since they are both constantly into each others food. on advice from out vet..we weaned zooey off the food she was being fed at the shelter and onto the same food as cooper. problem is..zooey has a huge appetite (understandably because of her age) and cooper is a wee bit overweight and we are monitering how much he eats to help control his weight.
im finding it very difficult to manage as cooper is eating her food all the time! they both have separate food/water dishes in the same room but on opposite sides.
does anyone have experience with feeding 2 cats different diets and having it work out?
thanks again!