Roommate's cat is stealing my cat's food. What to do?

[charlie and algernon]

The Roommate's cat (Holly) has been stealing food from my cat (Esther).

Esther is on a strict diet from the Vet because she's overweight, so she only get gets about a third of a cup of the science hill diet food twice a day. She doesn't ration the food she gets, instead will eat nearly all of it right away, finishing it off within 30 minutes.

The Roommate's cat, Holly, has a full bowl of food available all day. She used to be fed the same food as Esther, but the roommate's been giving her cheaper (cost-wise) food for the last several months. I've seen Esther drink out of Holly's water bowl, but I've never seen Esther eat Holly's food.

Lately, Holly has made it a mission to run into my room where Esther's food bowl is and chow down on any left overs as soon as Esther walks away. I pick up Holly, take her out of the room, and she just runs right back in. I can't just close the door because then Esther loses access to the rest of the house. That's fine in the evening, when I could open the door again after Esther has finished eating, but in the morning, I fill her bowl and leave.

Holly is also much more of a jumper than Esther is, so if I put the bowl up high that's just taking the food away from Esther.

What can I do to keep the roommate's cat out of Esther's food?

[Sanity Claws]

1. I have a couple of ideas

1. Talk to your roommate and ask her to feed her cat the same stuff so that her cat does not steal your cat's food.

2. Feed your cat three times a day instead of two. The idea is to give her less food at her meal so she finishes it. If there's no left over food, there is nothing for the other cat to steal.

[charlie and algernon]

3. hm, I might try feeding my cat three times a day

In the morning, right after work, right before bed. Heh, that might even have the added benefit of stopping her from bothering me before my alarm goes off. :rofl:

[Betty88]

4. snack before bed is key to a good nights sleep

I have to watch what one of my cats eats because he is diabetic, the others all eat his food just to make like easy. I found that feeding a little less for dinner then putting down a hand full of dry for the night insures my rest and makes them all happier.

[ceile]

2. Ask your roommate to go in on the food

Y'all can split the cost of the food- sounds like Holly may prefer the Hill's food...