Dear Ms. Kitty: Sometimes when I feed my three cats, the shy one, Percy, doesn’t want to eat with the others. He’s starting to look skinny, and I’m worried he’s not getting enough food. Help! 

Signed, Hungry in Hayden

Dear Hungry:  While it may be heartwarming for us, most cats don’t enjoy family-style dining. They are solitary hunters who don’t share their prey in the wild (except for moms sharing food with kittens).

When cats eat next to each other or out of the same bowl, we force them to compete for their most basic need—making less assertive cats retreat and they may miss out completely. 

This can lead to stress-related illnesses, such as ulcers and other gastrointestinal diseases, even with siblings. As cats age, feeding them correctly is even more important for keeping them healthy. 

Get Percy back on track with these 11 easy tips:

• Separate to satisfy. Get separate bowls or plates for each of your cats. Thrift stores have lots of ceramic or glass options that help you avoid plastic.

• Destress the whiskers. Choose shallow, wide bowls that don’t press against their whiskers. 

• Space them out. Feed all animals at a comfortable distance—at least 3 feet apart. Monitor them for stress (dilated pupils, whiskers pulled in, ears flattened, ducking away from other cats or dogs) and place the bowls out of that range.

• Avoid busy zones. Avoid high- traffic areas like the kitchen unless you can schedule feeding times away from busy times of the day.

• Keep it clean. Wash their bowls daily. Bacteria builds up in uneaten food and dirty bowls—especially plastic ones. 

• Feed in layers. Use different levels of a cat tree to create separation in shared spaces.

• Try room service. Feed Percy in a separate room if needed, especially at first.

• Appeal to the nose. Warming cold food ensures cats can smell it, stimulating appetite. Don’t feed near scented plug-ins, candles, cleaning products or other strong smells. 

• Ditch the buffet. Let kibble run out between meals. Avoid topping off or using plastic auto-feeders.

• Prevent feline acne. Yes, cats can get acne, usually on their chins. When bacteria builds up, it can clog the hair follicles, creating blackheads and pimples—a serious condition if left untreated. Keeping their bowls clean will help. 

• Make it a puzzle. Cats enjoy hunting for their food. Puzzle feeders engage their natural hunting instincts and reduce boredom.

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