I have two cats in a 1br apartment (moving to 2br in a month).

One cat C (12yo Male) has stage 1-2 kidney disease. He’s been on Royal Canin formula for about a year and has been eating his food just fine, but I have to lock him in the bedroom so that the other cat H (7yo Male) doesn’t steal his food. This is not ideal as H is a grazer and I hate having to lock them up until they’re done eating.

Last week, H was taken to vet for sudden diarrhea, every test under the sun was done, and vet thinks it’s pancreatitis and gave me antibiotics for the next week, along with a $1200 bill. H likes his new food, everything was fine.

Yesterday while I was fixing something in the bedroom, C got out and H got in, they ate all of each other’s food. Today, neither of them want their own food, but they do want the other’s food, so I know it’s not a matter of them refusing food in general.

H has always been finicky but seems to always want what he’s not supposed to have. I think it’s unfair that I have to lock one up until he eats as I’m single and work a lot. In addition, I don’t have the financial means to keep buying all this food and paying all these vet expenses.

Am I wrong for wanting to throw in the towel here? It’s been very difficult having the different diets. I can manage one cat but this separation during feeding has been terrible. I’ve had C for 11 years and can definitely manage his needs, but would a rescue be a more suitable option for H? I’ve had him two years but I want him to have the best chance - he’s such a sweet cat.