CAN A GAT OVEREAT

Question
I HAVE 2 LITERMATES MALE CATS HAVE BEEN FIXED ONE IS ALMOSR TWICE THE SIZE OF HIS BROTHER, CAN A CAT OVEREAT BOTH ARE ABOUT 9 MOif he is THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP and what is the soulation if he is

Answer
Hi Ted.  It is possible for cats to overeat.  In fact, many of them do.  The best way to prevent this is to feed the kitties 3-5 structured meals a day, with controlled portions.  Your cat food package should list feeding directions for your cats by weight.  Take the daily amount and divide it into 3-5 meals.  Then, feed the cat these meals on a schedule.  Some cats will require a little less food than suggested on the package, especially neutered cats or cats who are less active.

If your larger kitty tries to eat his brother's food, you should feed them separately.  This is the only real way to ensure the smaller one gets all the food he needs and the bigger one doesn't get any extra.

It's important to recognize, too, that cats come in different sizes, and even litter mates can vary quite a bit.  This can be due in part to the fact that they may have different fathers.  However, if your smaller one seems boney or like he doesn't have good muscle tone, you should have a vet look at him.  There are a number of medical problems that can cause stunted growth or poor body condition, and he should be treated for these.  They range from problems as simple as parasitic worms to diseases as serious as the feline leukemia virus.  A simple blood test can tell you whether that's anything to worry about.

Best wishes!

Jessica