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!
When Cat Food Is Safe For Dogs
In fact, for some dogs, like those battling cancer and experiencing weight loss, muscle wasting, and a poor appetite, cat food may be an ideal alternative to many dog foods.
Cat food tends to be more palatable, provide more calories per serving, and offer a more nutrient-balanced option compared to many home-prepared diets in these cases.
Likewise, cat kibble can make for healthier, well-balanced treats or training rewards compared to some human foods commonly used, like cheese, chicken, or peanut butter, which provide a concentrated amount of primarily one nutrient.
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.
Also Check: Can You Use Food Stamps To Buy Dog Food
Can I Mix Cat Food With Dog Food
It is fine to mix wet and dry dog food or wet and dry cat food, provided both options are of high quality and meet your pets nutritional and other health needs. A quality wet and dry food is formulated to provide your pet with all the essential nutrients they need to thrive, including protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, and other vitamins.
Important Differences In Nutritional Needs Between Dogs And Cats
Dogs and cats are completely different species with their own set of nutritional requirements. Like humans, dogs are omnivores, requiring a balanced mix of both meat and plant-based diets, while cats are known as obligate carnivores, requiring a high-protein meat-based diet. The minimum requirement for protein in cats and dogs respectively is 26% and 18% of dry matter. Cats are also able to tolerate a higher fat content than dogs, with their minimum requirement for fat content being 9% and 5.5% 1. There are also some specific amino acids that cats require in their diet as they are unable to synthesise these for themselves, including arginine and taurine, so for this reason, you shouldnt feed dog food to cats2,3.
Also Check: Can You Buy Dog Food With Food Stamps
Baked Tempeh Beggin Treats For Dogs
Diana Laverdure-Dunetz is a South Florida-based canine nutritionist who thought shed have to give up her career after she became vegan herselfshe just didnt want to be responsible for any more animal deaths. But in 2017, after years of research, Laverdure-Dunetz switched from helping clients to create bespoke meat-based dog foods to teaching them how to make plant-based recipes.
Laverdure-Dunetz then brought together 17 of the worlds top veterinarians, scientists, and animal activists for her Plant-Powered Dog Food Summit, where attendees learned about all the research taking place in the field as well as how to decode the true nutritional requirements of canines.
The canine nutritionist currently offers plant-based tips and information on her website Plant-Powered Dog, and will be releasing a new book on how to do-it-yourself called The Plant-Powered Dog: How to Raise Dogs that Thrive While Caring for the Planet, Ourselves, Animals and Future Generations. My way of leaving the world a better place than I found it is through helping people to transition and feed their dogs plant-based diets, she says.
Vitamins Minerals Fruits And Vegetables
The relative lack of fruits and vegetables in cat foods, as well as the biological differences between dogs and cats, means that cat foods must be fortified with several important nutritional supplements.
For example, many dog foods contain ingredients that are rich in a substance called beta-carotene. When your dog eats these ingredients, his body converts some of the beta-carotene into a chemical called retinol better known as Vitamin A.
But cats cant convert beta-carotene to Vitamin A, so putting carrots in their food doesnt help. Instead, their foods must be fortified with Vitamin A supplements.
But this is just the tip of the iceberg cats need several other supplements in their food that dogs dont. For example, cats must obtain taurine an amino acid from their diet, while dogs make taurine internally.
Similarly, dogs can also make arachidonic acid an important fatty acid internally, while cats must obtain it from their diet.
Don’t Miss: Is Royal Canin Dog Food Made In China
Raw Fat Egg Fish Or Meat
Cats should not be given excessive raw meat, fat, fish or eggs. It could lead to vomiting, diarrhea or even a condition called pancreatitis . There is also a risk of salmonella or E. coli associated with your cats eating these foods.
We hope that our list has informed you of the dangers of everyday human grub that is considered to be toxic food for dogs. What about you? Do you know about any harmful products that are potentially dangerous to our animal companions? Let us know in the comments below.
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.
Also Check: What Stores Carry Rachael Ray Dog Food
Learn If It Poses Any Health Risks
Adrienne Kruzer, BS, RVT, LVT, has worked with a variety of animals for over 15 years, including birds of prey, reptiles, and small mammals.
- Pin
Have you ever wondered if it’s okay that your dog eats from your cat’s food bowl? Dogs are not big cats, so their digestive systems are not designed to eat cat food. Long-term feeding of cat food to a dog can cause some health issues, so it’s helpful for a dog owner to be aware of some of the differences in these similar pet foods.
How Can You Get Your Dog To Stop Eating Cat Food
If you own a cat and a dog, feeding time can be a challenge. First, try feeding them in different rooms or at different times of the day. Lock your cat in their own room until they finish their meal. If your cat slowly picks at her food throughout the day, you can try putting the bowl up on a window ledge or the countera place where the dog cant get to it. Now that you know not to feed your dog cat food, make sure you avoid these other mistakes that every dog owner makes.
Things Your Dog Wishes You Knew
Picking the Best Dog Breed for You
Also Check: Darwin’s Natural Pet Products
Problems Encountered When Dogs Eat Cat Food
While cat food may be enjoyed by dogs, it is not particularly healthy for them in the long term.
Pancreatitis
Diets containing a high fat content, such as cat food, can contribute to the development of a painful and life-threatening disease called pancreatitis in some dogs.
Dental Health
Dogs that routinely eat cat food will be at a higher risk of developing dental problems because the biscuits are too small to allow proper chewing, particularly in medium or large-breed dogs.
Gastrointestinal Upsets
A sudden change to a different diet designed for a completely different species is a recipe for a potential bout of diarrhoea something most owners would rather avoid.
Musculoskeletal Problems
Puppies that are still growing need a diet that is nutritionally balanced for their fast growth rate as well as ensuring the correct calcium to phosphorus ratios. Therefore, cat food is not at all suitable for growing puppies.
Is Wet Or Dry Cat Food Worse For Dogs
While dogs will eat almost anything if the situation presents itself, their digestive system is as habitual as ours. If a dog eats wet or dry cat food for the first time, theres always the risk of digestive upset, either in the form of vomit or diarrhea. Whether its cat food or dog food, dry kibble tends to have a higher concentration of carbohydrates. The tendency for people to feed their pets dry food exclusively is one of the main reasons why so many dogs and cats are overweight. Neither wet nor dry cat food, if they consume it once, or only occasionally, poses any inherent danger for dogs. Should it become habitual, dry cat food is much worse for a dogs overall health and functioning.
You May Like: Can You Buy Dog Food With Food Stamps
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.
Differences In Dog And Cat Food
One of the main differences between dog and cat food is the amount of protein. Cat food has much more protein than dog food. This is one of the reasons, when given a choice, dogs will likely prefer to eat cat food over their own. Its yummy!
The high levels of protein in cat food can lead to mild issues such as gastrointestinal upset – nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea – or more serious issues such as kidney disease or liver disease in dogs. Cat food also has more fat than dog food, so if a dog eats too much of it, not only may GI issues occur, but also a much more serious condition called pancreatitis may result. Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas and is extremely painful, can be difficult to treat, and can even be fatal.
Also Check: Is Crave Dog Food Good
Can Puppies Have Tuna
Puppies may have to wait a while before getting a taste of tuna. They have a lot of growing up to do and there are specially-designed puppy food formulas to give them everything they need to go through that process in a healthy way. Plus, making sure you offer them the right portion can be a bit trickier given their small size. When it comes to puppies, its safest to keep tuna in the cupboard for now.
Are Table Scraps And Other People Foods Bad For Your Dog And Cat
Most holistically trained veterinarians encourage the practice of feeding “people food” to our pets. Healthy leftovers are an excellent supplement to your companion’s regular fare. There are only two rules with people food for pets:
It’s important to note that not all healthy foods for us are healthy for our pets: onions, grapes and raisins can all be toxic to dogs and cats. If you’re not positive it’s safe, don’t feed it.
If you want to feed meat from the grocery store, there are a number of homemade pre-mixes available where you just need to add is meat and an appropriate oil for healthy fat content.
Pre-mixes contain vegetables, vitamins and minerals, and sometimes grains to make the meal complete. You don’t have to cook every meal for your companion to benefit from fresher food: even the occasional homemade dinner is a wonderful healthy treat!
Recommended Reading: Pedigree Vs Purina Dog Food
Tips To Stop Your Pets From Eating Each Others Food
Sometimes the temptation of your cats food may be difficult for your dog to resist. To avoid having your dog eating your cats food:
- Feed your cat in a separate room that your dog doesnt have access to, e.g., feed the dog in the kitchen and the cat in the laundry room.
- Feed your cat on a high shelf or counter.
If these techniques are not successful at keeping the pooch away, consider getting a cat-sized crate or box into which the dog cannot fit, and feed your cat in the crate/box. Finally, if all else fails, install a pet door to a separate room, such as the laundry room, that is either too small for your dog to use or that is activated by a remote on your cats collar. Close the door to deny your dog access to the cat food, and monitor feedings to make sure that each pet eats its own food.
Do More For Your Furry Friends
Other than whipping up homemade dog and cat food recipes to satisfy your fussy furry eaters, you can also show your fluffy pals some tender loving care by bringing them to the groomers! Check out these best places for pet grooming in Singapore to give your pets a good trim and pamper them with a spa treatment at the pets parlour! Meanwhile, improve your pets indoor living conditions with these pet-friendly home decor ideas.
Don’t Miss: Where To Buy Darwin’s Dog Food
What Cats Need To Eat
Obligate carnivore means “meat eater by necessity.” In other words, it’s a biological necessity for kitty to eat meat. Without meat, cats will fail to thrive because meat contains the essentials for their survival.
For instance, cats have a biological need for taurine, an amino acid that is mainly found in animal flesh. It’s also critical that cats ingest arginine, which is also abundant in meat sources, as well as arachidonic acid.
As obligate carnivores, cats also have a high need for protein. In order to live and thrive, cats therefore need meat.
Can Cats Eat Chocolate All The Snacks And Foods Your Kitten Can Eat
Cats are much-loved family members, but owners should always remember felines have very specific dietary needs.
As the holidays approach there will be more candy and alcohol in our homes than usual. While humans may love our sweet treats and the odd tipple, it may not be wise to share these with our furry friends.
Debra Zoran, Professor of Medicine at Texas A& M University, believes “feline diets are a lot different than human diets.”
So, can cats eat chocolate or raisins, and is alcohol toxic to your pet? Newsweek asked the experts.
Zoran told Newsweek: “In the wild, cats usually prey on small animals, such as mice and birds. But as a pet, a cat might only be preying on a can or bowl of cat food.”
As a result, she believes it is vital for cat owners to mimic the high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet their cat would naturally eat in the wild.
Zoran added: “People would like nutritional advice to be easy … ‘do this, feed that’ or make specific diet/brand recommendations , but it’s just not that simple to predict what food will be best for your individual cat.
“The diet should be complete and balanced , but each cat or kitten is an individual, and just like peoplemay have taste or texture preferences, unique dietary needs or require different nutrient profiles to meet their individual body’s needs.”
Also Check: Iams Veterinary Formula Intestinal Plus Cat