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12-06-2012 at 9:52 AM
gamergirl5...
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gamergirl522 is not online. Last active: 03-22-2013, 7:52 AMBronze

Cat keeps dive bombing other cat's food

Hey guys! I have a new cat, Hermes.  He's about 8 months old and have had him for about 2 weeks now.  I feed the cats in the same room, Hermes on the floor and Skittles on the table. They share a bowl of dry food and  I give them each 1/2 a can of wet food every night.  The issue is with the wet food only.

 If I feed Skittles first, Hermes jumps up and pushes Skittles out of the way and starts scarfing Skittles' food.  If I feed Hermes first, Hermes scarfs his own food and then, while Skittles is still eating, jumps up and pushes Skittles out of the way and scarfs down Skittles' food.

I'm at the point that I have to stand in the room and babysit the cats while they eat.  I really don't want to have to do that as it is quite frustrating.  What can I do? HELP!
 
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12-06-2012 at 3:47 PM
SadieLouWh...
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SadieLouWho is not online. Last active: 05-08-2013, 3:37 PMNewbie

My old dog used to do this. She (lab/husky) would eat quickly then steal the other dogs (lab) dinner. Is it possible for you to feed them in separate rooms? I know this sounds like a pain, but it worked for us.

Can you try putting Hermes in the bathroom with his dinner, and shutting the door until Skittles is done eating in the kitchen?

I know it sounds mean, but he will really only be in there for 5 min. tops - and after a few days he will realize that he is not trapped and that you will always let him out when he is done.
 
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12-07-2012 at 8:34 AM
Dork_Fish
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Dork_Fish is not online. Last active: 05-10-2013, 8:56 AMGold
SadieLouWho:

My old dog used to do this. She (lab/husky) would eat quickly then steal the other dogs (lab) dinner. Is it possible for you to feed them in separate rooms? I know this sounds like a pain, but it worked for us.

Can you try putting Hermes in the bathroom with his dinner, and shutting the door until Skittles is done eating in the kitchen?

I know it sounds mean, but he will really only be in there for 5 min. tops - and after a few days he will realize that he is not trapped and that you will always let him out when he is done.

I'm with Sadie. I'd feed them their wet food in separate rooms where one is behind a door so that they have to stay separated until you say it's okay.

 
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12-08-2012 at 11:01 PM
Kaiene
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Kaiene is not online. Last active: 04-15-2013, 4:36 PMPlatinum
SadieLouWho:

My old dog used to do this. She (lab/husky) would eat quickly then steal the other dogs (lab) dinner. Is it possible for you to feed them in separate rooms? I know this sounds like a pain, but it worked for us.

Can you try putting Hermes in the bathroom with his dinner, and shutting the door until Skittles is done eating in the kitchen?

I know it sounds mean, but he will really only be in there for 5 min. tops - and after a few days he will realize that he is not trapped and that you will always let him out when he is done.

We do something similar.  3 of our cats eat while 2 are in the basement. Once the 3 are done, the 2 are let out of the basement and fed. 
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12-31-2012 at 6:54 PM
Abz99
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Abz99 is not online. Last active: 01-12-2013, 11:17 AMNewbie
I agree, feed them in separate rooms. Also it may be a factor that Skittles is above Hermes, maybe Hermes feels threatened by another cat above him..Do they otherwise get along okay? Also the fact that he is able to get some of Skittles' food is positively reinforcing the behavior..Maybe you can gradually move them to the same room..but sounds like for now it's better to feed them separately..Also maybe feed one of them always first so they get in more of a routine/know what to expect.
 
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