My only problem with this suggestion is what if he doesn't eat ANY of
the food in 20 minutes? Then I starve him for the rest of the day
while I'm at work? And if he refuses to touch it again at night?

I've been through this also - a completely healthy cat decided to stop
eating for 24 hours for no reason and by the time I noticed she was
YELLOW because her liver had failed. Perfectly curable sure, but we
had to let her go because the $2000 vet bill was going to be
unfathomable.
He's already ill, I can't risk starving him to death as well.

On Mar 3, 6:53*pm, jmc wrote:
If you're only giving them food for 20 minutes at a time... feed them
first, separated. *Go about your morning routine. *Pick up any leftover
food and refrigerate it. *Go to work.

Is your convenience more important than your cat's health? *I expect not.