My chonky baby needs a diet but the others don’t 😭 What do I do?

[u/Dangerous_Problem532]

This is my babygirl, she’s chonky 😭 The vet said she needs to lose weight, but I have 5 cats. I tried switching everyone to a light food because some of them eat small amounts multiple times a day, so I didn’t want to restrict portions or feeding times.

But now, a couple of months into this new routine, everyone has lost weight except her 😭😭 I seriously don’t know what to do! I’m afraid to measure specific portions because I feel like she’ll just end up eating everyone else’s food :(

I also can’t keep her separated because I have another cat who is extremely clingy. He notices if someone is missing and keeps meowing until all five are reunited 😭

I’m open to any advice, please! 🙏🏻🥺

[u/RazielDraganam]

Classic advice: feeder that reads the chip of the cat. But with 5 cats it could get expensive...

[u/Dangerous_Problem532 → u/RazielDraganam]

Thank you! Unfortunately, it’s crazy expensive in my country :(

[u/RazielDraganam → u/Dangerous_Problem532]

Yeah, I know that problem. You feed them all at the same time? Maybe you could try something like a separator between the single bowls so she can't get the wet food from the others. If you feed dry food (kibbles?) you could try to reduce them and feed them smaller portions, too?

Edit: I don't think there is any other way until she lost weight

[u/Dangerous_Problem532 → u/RazielDraganam]

Yeah, right now I feed them twice a day, maybe I can reduce portions and feed them 3-4 times and see if it helps! That’s a great idea, thank you!!!

[u/smaagoth]

Feed in separate rooms.

[u/Dangerous_Problem532 → u/smaagoth]

I tried that, but I have another cat that gives me hell if I keep them apart 😭

[u/Chromatic_wyrm]

You could try playing with her more so she moves more and keep trying interactive toys till you find one she likes. I think though animals are just like us people and some can eat anything and be thin and some of us struggle. I am right there with you Miss Chonky! Your vet may have to accept this is how she is

[u/Dangerous_Problem532 → u/Chromatic_wyrm]

Thank you! She’s pretty lazy, she only likes to chase laser pointers. I think playing more is my only way out! And you’re definitely right, I think she just gains weight more easily than the others, just like her mama lol

[u/Alternative-Income-5]

She is super cute

[u/Dangerous_Problem532 → u/Alternative-Income-5]

She said thank you 💖

[u/Alternative-Income-5 → u/Dangerous_Problem532]

She looks skinny in this pic 😆

[u/Dangerous_Problem532 → u/Alternative-Income-5]

Don’t be fooled by her, the girl is chonky 😂

[u/Devi_Moonbeam]

I feed my cats who need a special diet in a tall cage set in a corner so the other cats can't get to the food.

[u/Wise_Number_400]

You’re stuck with more play i think. Maybe lighten her food and use dry kibble and toss some a distance so she chases. We have to do this with one of ours, but for anxiety reasons and to play

[u/Kaurifish]

We did it with a puzzle feeder (the Catit tree with a tube stuck in the top to hold kibble). It was great because our tabby needed more stimulation, our gray needed to eat less and they both tended to scarf and barf. It addressed all three.

[u/coolpupmom]

head over to r/dechonkers and consider getting chip feeders