For the Maine Coon that gulps -- one trick to try is to put some large, clean smooth river stones into the food dish. Not huge but large enough so the cat can't swallow them and so they have a little weight. The cat then is forced to slow down and not gulp food because it has to work around the stones and move them to get at the food. Maybe 2-3 inch circumference stones -- not so large that they're hard to move.

The other idea if the cat eats dry is to use a cat treat ball. Then the cat has to work to get its meal and it comes in small bits.

I have friends with a gulper who tried the first trick and said it really helped. It may take a little while for the cat to figure out that there's food in them thar stones, but food enthusiasts tend to find it pretty fast! Both these tricks also work with dogs who are gulpers.

[ Reply To This Message ] [ Subscribe to this Thread ] [ Hide Replies ]