Cats eating each other's food?

Question

I've had one cat for just over 6 years. I recently adopted a kitten who is about 4 months old. Now given their age difference they are fed different types of food. I always feed the older one first (have her food on the counter so the little kitty doesn't bug her while she eats). The little kitty has a room upstairs (though she is allowed to run around the whole house) so after I feed her big sister I feed her. But I find that her big sister doesn't like her crunchy food as much as she likes her sister's food! And little kitty has figured out that her big sister's food is on the counter... How do I keep them from eating each others food? Is there a particular brand that I could feed them both (though don't they require different things given their age difference)?

Answer 1

i wouldnt worry. my cats eat each others food all the while. id just swap their food round because it seems thaat they like each others food more than their own. sometimes kittens like to eat someone elses food just so they feel they arent left out.

Answer 2

My cats have been doing the same thing lately and I found a brand that works for the both of them. Its called Pet Promise, its an organic pet food that is healthy and not expensive, it's for both kittens and adult cats. They seem to love this food and i have not had a problem since they both eat the same food.

Answer 3

If they don't have any health issues it should be fine to give them the same food.  I would check with a local vet just to be sure, with the little one only being 4 months old.  

Answer 4

Kitten food is really a marketing gimmick.  It's all about proper nutrition, not formulation.  If you feed a premium food, it's suitable for all life stages.  My foster kittens are all fed Innova's EVO, and they thrive.  Pick up a bag of Purina Kitten Chow, and then compare the nutritional analysis to any of the premium brands.  I can promise you that there is more protein and nutrients in the "adult" or "all live stages" premium food than in the kitten formula from the grocery store.  Some brands that are suitable for feeding to cats and kittens include the EVO, Wellness, California Natural, Solid Gold, and many others - but these are the brands I use.

Answer 5

I assume the kitten is on a kitten formula dry food. While it's perfectly safe fro your older cat to eat kitten food is does have more calories and adult formula dry foods generally have bigger chunks to encourage cats to chew (helps clean their teeth). I also know how frustrating it is to try to keep them each in their own food bowls. The good news is you didn't mention they are having conflict over the sharing! No fighting is always good. I'm also assuming you leave the bowls of dry food out for each of them to snack when they like so that makes it even harder to keep them out of each others bowls. You can always ask your vet if there is a brand and style that's suitable for both of them, if not, you can try mixing the them together so the kitten is at least getting some of the kitten formula and your older cat isn't getting too many calories. At 4 months old your kitten won't need the kitten formula after a few more months. Good luck!

Answer 6

Feed the kitten on the counter or in her own room. Keep the other cat away from the kitten while the kitten is eating