Feline Behaviorist Pam Johnson-Bennett is the author of a number of award-winning and critically acclaimed books, including Think Like a Cat and Psycho Kitty. The innovative methods described in all her books are based on Pam's unique way of training by actually understanding the way a cat thinks. She makes numerous television appearances including CNN, Fox News Channel, and National Geographic specials, as well as being a popular guest on many nationally syndicated radio programs. She is now considered to be one of the leading experts on feline behavior.

Q: I have two cats, Bailey (3 years) and Smokey (1 year). I also have a dog, Maddie. I feed Bailey and Smokey in the same room, but Maddie in another room. My problem is that Maddie eats most of the cat food, and whatever is left Smokey eats. Bailey is very passive, so she never gets any food whatsoever. I'm afraid she'll eventually starve, but there's nothing I can do to prevent the dog from eating the food. Maddie doesn't listen when I scold her and there's nowhere I can lock her up. How do I make sure Bailey doesn't starve?

A: Dogs are naturally attracted to cat food because of the higher fat content. It's also not unusual to have one cat be more assertive around the food bowl.

I suggest you switch to scheduled meals so you can monitor what's happening at the food bowls. Set out two separate bowls of cat food so each kitty will have his own. Keep the bowls far enough apart so Bailey won't feel intimidated by Smokey. You'll have to play security guard during mealtime, but it'll be worth it to know that Bailey is getting adequate nutrition. (You're already feeding Maddie in another room, so just feed her there at the same time and close the door, so she has no access to the cats.)

After the scheduled meals, you can leave dry food down for free-choice feeding. When you have a dominant kitty around the food bowl, it's also a good idea to set up two separate feeding areas in different parts of the house for free-choice feeding. Since Smokey can't be in two places at once, it will allow Bailey to do some snacking during the day.

Keep Maddie, the dog, out of the dry cat food by placing it in an elevated location so the cats can get to it, but she can't.