How do I keep my cat's food away from my other cat?

Question

I have 2 cats. One of them spends most of her time in my bedroom, where I keep her food and water; let's call her Elsa. The other one wanders around the house; let's call him Butterfly. The only problem is, Butterfly loves to eat and is always going in my room and eating all of Elsa's food, but Butterfly has a medical condition and is on a strict diet. What's a good way of keeping Elsa's food in my room accessible to her but not Butterfly? I have been keeping her food on my desk, since Butterfly can't jump very high, but it's becoming a nuisance to move it whenever i need to do work. What's a creative way to solve this problem? I would just shut the door to my room but the kitty litter is in the basement of my house and the 2 cats share it, and there is no way i'm putting one in my bedroom.

Answer 1

First off, free feeding is really not good for cats - it tends to make them fat.  Cats do best on being 3 or 4 times a day, closer to what they would eat in the wild.

As for your Kitty Elsa, why is she vomiting?  Some cats eat really fast, and it makes them sick.  Others are allergic to the ingredients in the food, usually grain.  If Elsa eats too fast, a simple solution is to add big marbles, or rocks, or some other obstacle that makes your cat slow down.  If its allergies, switching to a grain free cat food such as Evo will help.  

Once Elsa isn't vomiting anymore, than switch to feeding to a regulated 3 or 4 times a day.  Now, all you do is close the door to Elsa's room during dinner time, and when you let Elsa out, there should be no food left for Butterfly to Eat.  

Cat Vomiting is not a good thing, and too many people just except it as a way of being when its easily curable with a little bit of creativity.

Answer 2

Strict seperate feedings...  I have 7 cats and 1 is on C/D, I have no choice but to feed the rest seperatly from him and wait till everyone is done and clean up...  You really shouldn't leave food out all day for them anyway. :-)

Answer 3

I would put butterfly in the bathroom/cat carrier/another room until Elsa is finished. She may be vomiting due to the fact she is eating to fast because she is aware Butterfly is coming. It is not healthy for a cat who needs a certain diet to not receive it.This could cause health problem. Oh, and when Elsa is not eating (I am guessing you do not feed her at intervals but leave it where she can get to it anytime of the day?) I would say the best way IS to feed her in intervals. Get an idea of the times she usually visits her food sources. Around those times, place Butterfly in a separate place and let Elsa eat. When she is finished, Hide the food again, (maybe in a cabinet?) until the next interval and repeat.

Answer 4

you should start feeding your cats at the same time each and everyday at the same time maybe 2-3 times a day and wen there hungry give them a treat or something

Answer 5

You said that Elsa can jump higher then Butterfly, so just put the food on another high area that isn't in your room. Also, try giving her only what she will eat in a few minutes. I give my cat Chipmunk one handful of food three times a day. He doesn't eat very fast, so it takes him about 10 minutes to finish it. That keeps my dog from eating it on him.