My daughter's had three cats for several years, two males and a female, all neutered. They've always gotten along fine. They're all in the neighborhood of 8-10 years old.
Lately one male (Ginger) has decided he's King of the Hill and is keeping the other male (Smoky) from eating. Smoky usually has a large appetite. My daughter's been taking Smoky into the kitchen where there's a barrier in the doorway so that he can eat away from Ginger, but Smoky will eat a piece or two of food and then have to be followed around the floor with the dish for a while before he'll be coaxed to eat just another piece or two. She's tried wet food, even spoon feeding him, but that's not all that successful either. He seems afraid to eat, maybe having become conditioned to associate food with Ginger's disapproval and threats. My daughter's almost certain that Ginger is terrorizing Smoky when she's not around. No wounds, but he's afraid.
Smoky's lost a little weight since this started. His teeth look fine, he still cuddles and acts otherwise fairly normal. She considered feeding him in a large cage but that would be worse for him to be confined.
It's a huge change in dynamics between the two (their relationship with the female hasn't changed) and there's no change in home life to account for it.
I'd appreciate some suggestions for her, advice from some cat people who've seen this kind of thing before and can give her some more insights or possible solutions before Smoky ends up ill.
Lately one male (Ginger) has decided he's King of the Hill and is keeping the other male (Smoky) from eating. Smoky usually has a large appetite. My daughter's been taking Smoky into the kitchen where there's a barrier in the doorway so that he can eat away from Ginger, but Smoky will eat a piece or two of food and then have to be followed around the floor with the dish for a while before he'll be coaxed to eat just another piece or two. She's tried wet food, even spoon feeding him, but that's not all that successful either. He seems afraid to eat, maybe having become conditioned to associate food with Ginger's disapproval and threats. My daughter's almost certain that Ginger is terrorizing Smoky when she's not around. No wounds, but he's afraid.
Smoky's lost a little weight since this started. His teeth look fine, he still cuddles and acts otherwise fairly normal. She considered feeding him in a large cage but that would be worse for him to be confined.
It's a huge change in dynamics between the two (their relationship with the female hasn't changed) and there's no change in home life to account for it.
I'd appreciate some suggestions for her, advice from some cat people who've seen this kind of thing before and can give her some more insights or possible solutions before Smoky ends up ill.
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