feeding problems

Question
My three cats are supposed to be on separate diets.  The youngest male is overweight and is supposed to be on low-cal food.  The oldest cat has a sensitive stomach and has to eat a special diet for that problem.  The middle cat is average and can go either way.  The problem is that the cats refuse to eat alone.  The fat cat wants to eat the diet for sensitive stomachs, and it makes him fatter.  The cat with the sensitive stomach wants to eat the diet food because it has a chicken base.  She loves it, but she's allergic to it.  The vet cannot find a food that is not based in chicken and is also low-calorie.  If I try to feed them in separate rooms, they congregate at the doors meowing and all refuse to eat.  Kimchi thinks she is the mother of the younger cats, and she absolutely refuses to eat if they don't eat at the same time.  I just don't know what to do about this.  The vet says that a cat should never go more than 24 hours without eating, but Kimchi can hold out for longer than that.  Yesterday she spent the entire day in the linen closet, even though she must have been starving.  I was up at 3 a.m. because she finally asked for food, but she refused to eat when she saw that she would have to have the food for sensitive stomachs.  Yet she will eat that willingly as long as the other cats are eating it.  Daniel is 20 and a half pounds, and I'm worried that he will develop diabetes if he doesn't stick to the low-cal diet.  I am at my wit's end.  I live in a one-bedroom apartment with only two doors that can close, so I don't have the option to take them far away from each other.  Can you give me some idea about what I should do?  You have given me excellent advice in the past and I have faith in you.
Sincerely,
Joan Gross

Answer
Joan,

Cats do not normally starve themselves.  They are going to have to eat your regimen for them and learn to like it.  My guess is that they have figured out that you are a "softy" and by them going on a "hunger strike" you will relent and give them what they want whether it is good for them or not!!!!!

So, what I would do (and it is hard hearted) is to feed them their food separately and, after 1/2 hour throw it out, and that is all they get.  They can go a lot longer than one day with no ill effects (After all there may be days between meals in the wild!).

So I think you were on the right track but did not persevere enough.  I would try it for a week, and, if they still refuse to eat, let me know.  You are just going to have to out last those three, as tough as they may try to make it on you!

Good luck!!!!!

Best regards... Norm.