What Is The Difference Between Dog Food Vs Cat Food
Cat food consists of high amounts of animal protein. Generally, a cat would require 2 to 3 times more protein than dogs do. Even a kitten should be fed a protein-rich diet, at least 1.5 times more than a puppys diet.
A main ingredient that is present in cat food is the essential amino acid Taurine. Their bodies cannot produce it. The body of a dog makes its own Taurine.
Another such component is Arachidonic Acid. Cats must obtain this Omega 6 fatty acid from their diet. A dogs body can make its own Arachidonic Acid.
Cats have a particular requirement for Vitamin A. It is found naturally in animal tissue. Their bodies lack the gastric enzyme that can convert Vitamin B-carotene in plants to the active Vitamin A.
Isn’t Feeding Raw Food Dangerous Due To The Risk Of Salmonella And E Coli
The digestive tracts of dogs and cats are very different than those of humans. The human digestive tract is approximately 25 to 28 feet long with a stomach acidity between 1.5 and 2.5, whereas dogs and cats have a much shorter digestive system at an average of 10 to 13 feet for dogs with an acidity of less than 1.
This means that raw food moves through your pet’s system in less than half the time it would through a human’s system, and the high acidity kills most bacteria. Even if the food was contaminated, it is unlikely that the microbes would enter the animal’s bloodstream.
Commercially prepared raw food manufacturers take measures to control against the presence of unwanted organisms such as salmonella and e. coli, so if you’re concerned about contamination, frozen raw diets are a good option.
If you eat meat, then you are aware of the precautions to take when handling raw meat. The same precautions apply to raw pet food: wash bowls, utensils and your hands after feeding and handling the meat. Keep the meat frozen until two to four days before feeding, and thaw in the refrigerator. Don’t leave the food down for your pet for more than 30-40 minutes, and throw any leftovers away after this time.
If you use common sense, feeding raw food is no more difficult or dangerous than any other pet food, and the health benefits are unparalleled.
Problems With Pets Sharing Foods
It may seem easy to simply fill a big bowl with one food and let all your pets munch and crunch as they desire throughout the day, but there are several reasons why this isn’t recommended. For starters, you have no idea how much food each pet is consuming. Are they overeating? Not eating enough?
Let’s say you do feed each pet individually, but you have a sneaky pup who likes to eat the cat’s dinner for dessert. Your dog may be ingesting too many calories for the day, which could lead to obesity and other related health issues. Also, when a dog eats cat food, they’re not getting the proper ratio of protein, fiber and other nutrients needed to maintain their healthy lifestyle. This can lead to gastrointestinal problems, strain on the liver and kidneys, pancreatitis, or a number of other issues. The same can be true if your cat is sneaking your dog’s food. Not to mention, cats require a few nutrients, like taurine and arachidonic acid that are not required by dogs, and therefore, not always monitored in dog food. In the long run, a cat eating dog food may experience nutrient deficiencies whereas a dog eating cat food is more likely to experience problems associated with excess energy or nutrients.
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Friskies Is A Brand Of Cat Food
Can dogs eat friskies cat treats. Divide into 2 or more meals. In general, cat treats are relatively high in protein. Look for natural ingredients, water or broth, and added vitamins or minerals instead of artificial ingredients.
This brand is offered as a canned soft/wet food, as well as dry food. The brand makes five different types of meals for cats. When cat food is harmful for dogs
Protein is good for a dog in proper measure. When introducing a pet to a new food, we recommend a gradual change over a 10 day period. Limit the amount your cat gets on a daily basis.
Unlike dry cat food, canned cat food could contain 40% to 50% protein. Cat foods high concentration of both fats and proteins poses real danger to dogs if they eat it normally or exclusively. It is owned by nestlé purina petcare company, a subsidiary of nestlé.
Pancreatitis requires immediate veterinary care. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they need to eat meat as their main food source, whereas dogs are omnivores and need a diet with. Or if you have a cat like jazz, give them a large dog sized piece to chew on so the others can eat in peace!
What i mean by this is that cat food isnt the same across the board. Friskies party mix natural yums cat treats are carefully crafted with real salmon as the #1 ingredient, accents of sunflower & garden veggies, and a blend of vitamins, minerals & nutrients. Start by feeding 90% of their old food and 10% of friskies.
pet supplies Cat food storage, Cat food, Purina
An Overlooked Dog Food Option
Canned dog food. That was it. Bailey wouldnt eat the kibble. But he sure did love that wet food.
So, I decided to learn more about canned dog food. I knew Bailey liked it. And he liked it a lot more than he liked kibble.
But I had to be sure if it was OK for him to eat. After all, Id always heard that canned dog food wasnt as good for dogs as kibble.
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Complications Of Feeding Cat Food To Dogs
If your dog eats a lot of cat food on a regular basis, or if you are feeding your dog a diet of cat food instead of dog food, complications may arise, as it does not have the correct balance of protein, fiber, and all of the nutrients dogs need to stay healthy.
Dogs can certainly survive on cat food in a tough spot, but the nutrient imbalance can lead to gastrointestinal upset, obesity, and pancreatitis. Pancreatitis requires immediate veterinary care. Symptoms include abdominal pain and a hunched back, lethargy and weakness, appetite loss, vomiting and diarrhea, a distended abdomen, and fever. Even if your dog eats cat food and suffers no obvious ill effects, the high protein levels can be hard on his liver and kidney.
Are Cinnamons Poisonous For Dogs
So, we know cinnamon is not poisonous for dogs. But can dogs eat cinnamon safely?
In small amounts, then answer is yes. Which means one teaspoon or less per serving as an occasional treat, it offer health benefits and perfectly safe. It should cause no problems if eaten in small amounts from time to time.
In large quantities, it may irritate the dog mouth or stomach.
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What Do Cats Love The Most
8 Things Your Cat Loves 01 of 08. Cats Love Taking Naps. 02 of 08. Cats Love Grooming and Being Groomed. 03 of 08. Cats Love Fresh, Nutritious Food. 04 of 08. Cats Love Running Water. 05 of 08. Cats Love Scratching and Clawing. 06 of 08. Cats Love Daily Playtime. 07 of 08. Cats Love Watching Birds. 08 of 08. Cats Love Their Humans.
Can’t Dogs And Cats Only Eat Food Labeled As Complete And Balanced
Pet food companies have a pretty big interest in perpetuating this myth. Is every meal you eat complete and balanced?
Even the most health conscious among us don’t worry about meeting the proper balance of nutrients at every meal. We know that over the course of the day or week our diet will be fairly complete, so we don’t have to worry about eating exactly are recommended intakes on daily basis.
Many of us take vitamins and supplements to fill in any gaps, because even eating a very healthy diet of whole foods may not provide all the vitamins and minerals our body needs to stay healthy.
Variety is the key to a healthy diet for dogs and cats as well. If you’re feeding at least 50-60% commercially prepared foods that are designed to be “complete,” then you are well on your way to providing a majority of the balance of nutrients. Adding healthy toppers, people food, fresh vegetables or other non-formulated foods to your pet’s meals will boost the overall nutrition of the diet as long as it is not overdone.
Providing a daily multi-vitamin adds extra nutrients to fill in the gaps. One caveat here: meat is higher in phosphorus and lower in calcium, so when adding more than 15-20% extra meat to your companion’s diet on a regular basis, keep the calcium and phosphorus ratio balanced over time by including raw bones or adding a calcium supplement.
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The Difference Between Dog And Cat Food
At a first glimpse, dog and cat food appear strikingly similar. They are both dry kibble that come in similar shapes and looks. They come in bags and they may even have a similar smell. But they are quite different when it comes to ingredients.
Cats are obligate carnivores and as such, their diets are very rich in protein. Sharon Crowell-Davis, DVM, DACVB and professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia, suggests that it’s this high protein content that has a major impact on flavor.
The fact Rover loves Fluffy’s food is a no-brainer, but the real question is: Will eating cat food harm my dog in the long term? Below, we will take a look at the health implications and side effects of eating cat food as a habit.
Why Do Dogs Love Cat Food So Much
There’s no doubt that dogs love cat food. Some dogs love it so much that their owners use cat food as a high-value treat to reward them for exceptional performances. Dogs love cat food so much that many cat owners are forced to feed their cats in separate areas that are out of the dog’s reach. Dogs even enjoy eating cat food after it has been digested: There’s no denial that many dogs perceive kitty’s “Tootsie rolls” as a pure delicacy.
So what makes cat food so appealing to dogs? Is it just the fact that it’s different? Does Rover get an adrenaline rush when he steals it? Is it more appealing because it’s left out longer ? Or does it actually taste better?
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Do Pets Need Life Stage Appropriate Diets Like Puppy Kitten And Senior Formulas
Life stage diets were created as a marketing tool: the more formulas manufacturers develop, the more shelf space they command. While it is true that puppies and kittens need more food for their size than adults, they don’t need a specially formulated puppy or kitten diet. A high-quality, varied diet is the best option for your young pets.
For puppies, this can include dry food, canned, freeze-dried, dehydrated, and raw food.
For kittens, kibble is not recommended to be a large portion of the diet as it can contribute to dehydration, urinary tract issues and less than optimal health over time. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they eat mostly meat and very little carbohydrates. High meat, grain-free foods are a good option if you’re supplementing with kibble, but canned, freeze-dried, dehydrated and raw are the best choices.
Feeding younger animals more frequent meals, like 3 times per day, is helpful while they are in their biggest growth phase. After three or four months of age, two meals per day is sufficient for most animals. Puppies and kittens should be kept slim, just like adult animals. Keep an eye on your little companion’s waistline and don’t let them get round.
Senior animals tend to slow down as they age, so while their calorie requirements may shrink, their need for the healthiest food you can provide is never greater.
The Risks Of Eating Salmon
There are different types of canned salmon, and some are better than others.
When feeding your dog canned salmon, make sure its packed in water . This is because, being a saltwater fish, salmon has a high amount of sodium already. Make sure its not flavored either, as this can also add to the salt content.
Some canned salmon also contains bones, which dogs can choke on, so look for boneless salmon to feed to your dog.
If you cant find a suitable canned salmon option, never give your dog raw salmon, as it may have parasites and bacteria that can poison your dog.
Potential issues include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, extreme weight loss, dehydration, and even death. If your dog starts to show one or more signs of distress after eating salmon , take him to the vet immediately.
To alleviate these risks, even if you think youve cooked the salmon well, try to opt for boneless canned salmon packed with water where possible.
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Can Cats Eat Carbohydrates
There has always been a lot of misunderstanding about cats and carbohydrates. This is because carbohydrates are not an essential component of a cats diet. The feline body doesnt need carbs to produce energy as it uses protein as the primary energy source. However, cats can benefit from the dietary fiber that is a compulsory part of most dog biscuits.
Cats dont have the enzyme Glucokinase that is responsible for digesting carbs in most mammals, including dogs. However, they do have an enzyme, called Hexokinase, which performs the same function. Consequently, they can utilize highly-digestible carbohydrates as an alternate source of energy.
Can Dogs Eat Canned Sardines
Yes, but you have to choose the right kind of canned sardines! There are a lot of varieties out there, and not every type of canned sardines are fit for consumption by your furry best friend.
Go for canned sardines that are:
- Salt-free
- Other omega-6 rich oils
- Ketchup
Canned sardines can be fine, but not all canned food is created equally. Pay close attention to what youre buying. In particular, check sodium levels and for the presence of a packing oil rich in Omega-6. You dont want either of these things and should look for another choice if present in the canned food you were considering feeding to your dog.
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My Dog Ate Cat Food What Do I Do
Dogs get into cat food all of the time. Some steal from the cats bowl, others break into food bags and containers. Eating cat food on occasion may lead to nothing more than vomiting and diarrhea, but this can vary from dog to dog. If your dog exhibits signs of intestinal discomfort after eating cat food, call your veterinarian.
If your dog regularly gets into cat food, it is best change where you keep your cats food or where and how you feed your cat.
As a general rule, try to discourage your dog from eating cat food unsupervised by placing it out of his reach. As always, pay attention to your dogs reaction when feeding him something new and talk to your veterinarian about any concerns you may have.
Can You Mix Dog Food With Cat Food
So lets say youre scraping the bottom of the dog food bag. Should you mix in some cat food? At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the answer is no. The proportions between nutrients are important when it comes to pet food formulations, and this mixture would disrupt the balance.
According to veterinarian Megan Keller, dog foods should contain 8-26% protein. For cats she recommended a protein percentage of 30-34% and even more for canned food. Will you be able to strike the perfect ratio yourself? Dont take that chance!
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Grain Free Chicken Cat Food
Raw, Grain Free Chicken Cat Food that is easy to make, store, and serve your cats!
I have talked before about how Our Pets Arent Vegan, and I have also posted the recipe for the raw, Anti-Inflammmatory Dog Food that I feed Fluffie, our little, five-pound, four year old Yorkshire Terrier, Fluffie, so it seemed high time that I posted the recipe for the Raw, Grain Free Chicken Cat Food that I make for our outdoor tomcat, JG, and our Bengal cat, Mazel.
Surprisingly, this Raw, Grain Free Chicken Cat Food recipe is actually one of the most Instagram-requested recipes that I have created! Many people are interested in feeding their cats a raw food diet, especially when they learn that cats cannot digest carbohydrates because they do not have the enzyme to process carbs, which is amylase. This means that most store-bought cat foods are actually really unhealthy for cats to eat because the foods are mainly made with grains like corn or wheat.
Another plus to this Raw, Grain Free Chicken Cat Food is that the food is very wet, similar to canned cat food. This is great for cats because they need a lot of moisture in their foods to help with digestion and the processing of the high-protein content of their meals.
I would love to see your thoughts on this post, so please comment or ask any questions! In addition, if you were inspired to put a picture on Instagram because of this post, tag me at #shalomhomestead!
Best wishes and shalom, friends!