I have multiple cats and one needs a special diet. What are some ways I can keep them from eating each other's food?

Many cat owners find themselves literally herding cats at mealtime. Some cats require special diets, while tubbier tabbies eat their siblings' food. So how can you keep each kitty's nose in his or her own food bowl? Veterinarian Margee Scherk, editor of the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, has some tips. You can get cat doors that respond to the microchip your cat has hopefully embedded for identification purposes so that it can be keyed to the cats that get to go through that door for the food on the other side.

Doctor Scherk says you can also install a hook and eye. Leave the door open but latched, so your skinny cat can get through to the food but your fat cat can't.

– Dr. Andrea Looney, DVM for the “Purina® Animal Instincts” Podcast Series

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