Are your cats seeing a vet? I understand it can be expensive, but really, it should be considered a requirement of owning a pet. Like tipping when you go out for dinner: if you can’t afford the tip, you can’t afford any of it. Anyway, if they haven’t seen the vet in awhile, bring them in for a check-up, and while you’re there talk about their weight. At the least, the vet can offer some professional suggestions for a weight-loss routine. The vet can also rule out any medical condition that may be causing the weight problem. If they’ve been in for a check-up recently, call the vet up and ask for suggestions for weight-loss. You should also spend some time doing research. Check online and in your local library. Vets are professionals but they are human and, therefore, fallible. What are the latest findings about feline weight, diet, exercise, etc? As for my own suggestions: Diet content is just as (more?) important as portion sizes. From what I understand, dry foods just aren’t good for cats: a wet-food diet is the way to go. Obviously, not just any ol’ wet food is good; and yes, the best foods are more expensive (because cheap is, well, cheap), but expense alone isn’t a sign of quality. Do your research. I understand “Wellness” is a good brand name, but I’m sure there are others. Follow the portion size recommended by your vet (confirmed against what apparently-reputable sources say online/in print). About exercise, in order to provide adequate exercise for your pet, no matter what kind of animal it is, you have to know it personally. What does it like doing? This means experimentation. Do your cats like it when you shine a pen-light on the floor and move it around? Do your cats like Cat Dancers (
http://catdancer.com/products.htm )? Do they like toy mice stuffed with cat nip? Do they like being chased around the home? What do they like? How can you entertain them? Dedicate a good chunk of every day (or a bigger chunk ever day or two) to entertaining them and getting them moving. I’m talking 15+ hours a week. Good luck, I hope I helped!