Tips To Discourage Pet Food Sharing
Thankfully, keeping your pets’ noses out of each other’s bowls is possible with a little planning and forward thinking. The Cummings Veterinary Medical Center at Tufts University explains that you can keep your pets focused on their own meals by trying the following tips:
If you’re still having trouble feeding your pets separately, seek the guidance of a pet trainer who can help you modify your pets’ behaviors. Or, let your vet know your dog ate cat food they may be able to share some feeding tricks to curb these habits.
Cat food is for cats. Dog food is for dogs. It really is best to feed them their respective food to ensure they get the proper nutrition they need and deserve. A random treat swap or hoovering a stray kibble from the floor won’t hurt your pet, but it’s not a good idea to offer up one big bowl of food each day and assume all of your pets are being nourished in the ways their bodies need. If you’re unsure which types of food would be ideal for your pets, chat with your vet about your pets’ current health conditions, ages and nutrient needs. After all, your pets deserve the best.
Vegetarian Dog And Cat Food Risks
Dogs and cats process certain nutrients differently than people do. Here are two examples:
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Vitamins A and D: Dogs and cats cannot make vitamin D in their skin, so it needs to be in their diet. And the vitamin D needs to be D3, which comes from animal sources, not D2, which comes from plant-based sources. People and dogs can use D2 to some extent, but cats really need D3, Heinze says.
Taurine. Dogs can make taurine if provided the right building blocks through dietary protein. Cats cannot make their own taurine at all, so it is regarded as an essential amino acid in this species and must be present in adequate amounts in the diet. Both species can suffer taurine deficiencies.
What About The Name
Cranberries got their name from the Pilgrims. They named it craneberry because the blossoms looked like Sandhill Crane heads.
Cranberries are in the Vaccinium plant family along with blueberries, bilberries and huckleberries.
All of these colorful berries have countless health benefits. So lets look at what cranberries can do for your dog.
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Can Dogs Eat Cat Food
Have you ever run out of dog food and wondered if you can just give your dog some of your cats food until you get to the store? Or does your dog like to snack on the cats food?
If you answered yes, youre not alone. Lots of pet owners wonder can dogs eat cat food? and you might be surprised to find out that the answer is no, not really. Dogs really shouldnt eat cat food and you should avoid allowing your dog to eat food meant for cats.
Cautions With Cranberries For Dogs
In general, cranberries are very safe for dogs in moderate amounts. Start out slowly to avoid any digestive upset.
But there are a couple of important cautions.
Cranberries may interfere with anticoagulant drugs.
Check with your vet if your dogs taking blood thinning drugs. Cranberries could increase bleeding risk.
Cranberries May Cause Oxalate Crystals Or Stones Or Not!
Some veterinarians warn of a risk with cranberries. They say oxalates in cranberries may increase the risk of oxalate stones.
So we did some research. And theres a direct conflict .
A 2005 Mayo Clinic study suggests cranberry juice may increase the risk of urinary stones.
But another study at the University of Capetown found the opposite that cranberry juice may help manage calcium oxalate stones. The study sponsors dont appear to be affiliated with cranberry producers!
So, to be safe, use caution if your dog is prone to oxalate stones. Or at least check with your holistic vet before giving cranberries.
Overall, its a great idea to give your dog cranberries. And thats especially true if hes prone to UTIs.
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How To Handle Feeding Time
Weve established that a dog shouldnt eat cat food, and a cat shouldnt eat dog food, but in a busy, multi-pet household, how the heck can you keep them apart?
Separate feeding areas are a start. In my house, I feed the cats on a tall, sturdy cat tree where the dogs cant reach. Raised surfaces are ideal for cat feeding, but if your cat is older or has mobility issues, instead of moving their food up, just move it to a closed-off area in your home. Heres a list of DIY cat feeding station ideas to get you started:
- A stable bookshelf
- A dedicated cat shelf like the one shown here
- A laundry room or walk-in closet with a cat door installed
- A dog-proof feeding station
Just make sure your cat-feeding surface is secure in case your dog tests the limits. You dont want a broken door, or a bookshelf toppling over on top of your eager pup!
As for keeping the cat out of the dog bowl, closed doors are the cheapest and easiest solution. Simply feed your dog in a separate room, and dont open the door until all the food is gone! If you dont have extra doors to close, a raised dog feeder can help keep your cat from getting into the bowl. You can also try hand-feeding your dog , or simply feed both species at the same time so they stay busy with their own food.
Why Dogs Eat Cat Food
Dogs love the smell and taste of the higher protein and fat content in cat food. If you free-feed your cat, your dog probably also loves that the food is available all day. If your dog is like most, she seems to want a treat all the time. A bowl of cat food can look like a bowl of treats to your dog. Who can resist that?
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Cats Are Carnivores Which Means That They Eat Meat Exclusively
Can cats eat dog food safely. Dog food isnt toxic to cats, so if your pet eats a small amount here and there, it shouldnt make your cat sick. The short answer is no, dogs can’t safely eat cat food. Fortunately, small amounts of dog food will usually not harm a cat.
2 thats why its essential youre vigilant about what gets dropped on the floor around your pets. So, the answer to can cats eat dog food is both yes and no. Can cats eat dog food?
No cats cannot be maintained on a dog food diet. Dog food lacks the vital nutrition that cats need to live a long, healthy life. Cats can eat catnip and treats made from tuna, salmon, and chicken, but can cats eat dog food?
Going to dive into the answer right at the start here: Dogs may suffer sickness and diarrhoea after. If a cat is only fed dog food for a long period of time, then detrimental, if not deadly, consequences can occur.
While dog food wont necessarily harm a cat, its not a good idea to feed it to them. Cats can definitely eat peas and a lot of commercial cat foods contain pea protein as a substitution for other proteins for cats that tend to have food protein allergies. Peas offer both carbohydrates and protein, and can be a fun treat for your kitty.
The short answer is no dogs cannot safely eat cat food. Being a cat owner, you must take care of your cat without it eating the dogs food. The short answer is no , dogs cannot safely eat cat food.
If cats can obviously eat cat food can dogs eat it safely.
Is Dog Food Bad For Cats
Though its not so common for cats to adore commercial dog food, I have met my share. And so you know, its not a great idea. At least not on a regular basis and definitely NOT as an exclusive diet. Heres why cats can’t eat dog food:
#1 Vitamin A must be supplied in cat food, whereas dogs can make do with beta carotene instead . While some dog foods may contain additional vitamin A, many wont have the amounts a cat requires for a lifetime of optimum health.
#2 Taurine is an amino acid all cats require. Dogs can make their own. Many dog foods may be deficient in taurine, the result being a cat who suffers a devastating kind of heart disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This also happens when cats eat a fish-only diet, since fish meat is so deficient in this amino acid. Which is probably why youve heard that fish is “bad” for cats, even though it’s not. Well, not unless youre offering a poorly balanced diet.
#3 Arachidonic acid is a fatty acid dogs can build themselves, while cats need the real thing.
#4 Protein levels are another big reason not to feed cats dog food. Though some dog foods do offer very high levels of protein, most do not reach the percentage of protein our carnivorous cats require. A lifetime of low protein may not kill your cat, but we know its not their natural diet and therefore cant be a good thing.
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Macadamia Nuts: Cant Eat
Dogs should never eat macadamia nuts.
Macadamia nuts contain an unknown toxin that may lead to vomiting, muscle weakness, tremors, hyperthermia and depression when dogs consume them, even in small amounts .
Additionally, macadamia nuts have a high fat content, which may elevate your dogs triglyceride levels and potentially lead to pancreatitis.
What Do Cats Need To Eat
As carnivores, cats need foods high in protein, fats, and taurine in their diets. According to the Cornell Feline Health Center, cats need:
- Protein from meat or fish
- Amino acids like taurine and arginine
- Fatty acids
Many veterinarians believe that about 35 to 45 percent of a cats diet needs to be protein.
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How To Feed Ginger To Your Dog
Ginger comes in a variety of forms, including powder, capsule/pill, tincture, tea and raw root.
Fresh organic ginger root:
Cut the skin off with a knife and finely mince the yellow part of the root.
Demian Dressler DVM , recommends the following dosages to help prevent nausea from cancer treatments
10 lbs or less ¼ tsp, 3 times daily10 to 35 lbs ½ tsp, 3 times daily 35 lbs or more ¾ tsp, 3 times daily
Always start slow and work your way up to the full dose.
For other forms, Ottawa Valley Dog Whisperer recommends the following dosages:
Powdered ginger:
1 to 10 lbs up to tsp 10 to 20 lbs to ¼ tsp 20 to 50 lbs 1 tsp 50 to 100 lbs 2 tsp Over 100 lbs up to 1 tbsp
Ginger tea:
You can buy ginger tea or make your own from fresh ginger root.
1 to 10 lbs less than ¼ cup, 1 to 3 times daily10 to 20 lbs ¼ cup, 1 to 3 times daily20 to 50 lbs ¼ to ½ cup, 1 to 3 times daily 50 to 100 lbs ½ to 1 cup, 1 to 3 times daily Over 100 lbs up to 1 cup, 1 to 3 times daily
Capsule:
1 to 10 lbs ½ capsule, 1 to 3 times daily 10 to 20 lbs ½ to 1 capsule, 1 to 3 times daily 20 to 50 lbs 1 to 2 capsules, 2 to 3 times daily 50 to 100 lbs 1 to 2 capsules, 3 to 4 times daily Over 100 lbs adult human dose
Tincture:
1 to 10 lbs 1 to 3 drops, 2 to 3 times daily10 to 20 lbs 3 to 5 drops, 2 to 3 times daily20 to 50 lbs 5 to 10 drops, 2 to 3 times daily50 to 100 lbs 20 drops, 2 to 3 times dailyOver 100 lbs adult human dose
What Health Risks Are Associated With Cat Food
Cat foods high concentration of both fats and proteins poses real danger to dogs if they eat it normally or exclusively. Protein is good for a dog in proper measure. Too much protein can lead not only to obesity, but also puts excessive strain on a dogs kidneys and liver. Excess consumption of fats is just as problematic. Too much fat can negatively affect a dogs pancreas, leading to pancreatitis, which can impact the efficiency of their digestion.
If it seems like your dog is addicted to cat food, you have a couple of alternatives. First is to restrict their access. If necessary, feed your cats in a room or area of the house where the dog is not allowed. One of the common conjectures or misapprehensions about why dogs eat things like grass or dirt is that they are making up for nutritional deficiencies. Its worth consulting a veterinarian to determine whether protein or fat is lacking in your dogs diet and adjust accordingly.
About the author: Melvin Peña trained as a scholar and teacher of 18th-century British literature before turning his research and writing skills to puppies and kittens. He enjoys making art, hiking, and concert-going, as well as dazzling crowds with operatic karaoke performances. He has a one-year-old female Bluetick Coonhound mix named Idris, and his online life is conveniently encapsulated here.
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Different Nutritional Profiles Between Cat And Dog Food
The main reason you need to keep your pup out of the cat food is that cat food is higher in fat and protein than dog food. This makes cat food super appealing to your pup. Most dogs love the smell of meat or fish in the cats food.
Dog food, on the other hand, has some more carbohydrate content then cat food. Dogs need less fat and protein than cats. Dog food usually has some kind of grain or another carbohydrate source including rice, corn, wheat or oats.
Recap: Can Dogs Eat Cat Food
If your dog has stolen a little cat food, dont worry, it wont hurt them. But just because they can tolerate cat food, does not mean they should eat it.
If your dog eats a big helping of cat food it might make them sick. Your pooch definitely should not eat cat food regularly, because although many ingredients are similar, the balance of nutrition will be completely different and ill-adapted for a dogs digestion and needs. Eating cat food regularly can cause problems like obesity, and potentially pancreatitis.
Meanwhile, the same goes for your cat. Although dog food shouldnt be toxic, they definitely shouldnt eat a lot of it or chow down on dog food regularly instead of healthy cat food.
Instead of feeding your dog cat food, why not feed them dog food. Even better, feed them a nutritonally balanced, healthy and wholesome dog food such as Pure. Pure offers dogs delicious nutrition to help keep them happy, healthy and always excited for mealtimes.
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Stick To The 10% Rule
Treats, whether dog or cat, are nutritionally incomplete they dont contain all the nutrients required to thrive. This means that, alongside other incomplete sources, they should never make up more than 10% of your pets daily calorie allowance. When youre working out how many cat treats your dog can have, look at their total daily calorie allowance, then find 10%. Now, take off calories for any table scraps, dog treats, dental chews, or other snacks they get. Whats left is how many calories they can have in cat treats and its probably not many!
Experiment With Other Cat Food Flavors
Although it wont work for all dogs, you may be able to dissuade your dog from eating your cats food by picking another recipe. For example, your dog may love your cats chicken-flavored food, but he may not find a salmon-based recipe so irresistible.
This is obviously a bit tricky for owners who have finicky cats, but it is worth trying. Additionally, if it works, itll prove to be the simplest solution of all.
And while were talking about dogs who like to eat cat food, it is important to note that some dogs show a predilection for eating, um, pre-eaten cat food that they collect from the cats litter box.
This is not only a revolting practice, but it can also make your dog sick, so youll want to put an end to it as soon as possible.
Theres really only one way weve found to tackle this problem: Use a dog-proof litter box. There are a number of these products on the market, and several of them are quite effective. Check out our comprehensive guide to dog-proof litter boxes if you need help dealing with this particular problem.
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Why Your Dog Loves Cat Food
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Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they depend on nutrients found only in meat to survive . They can have a little bit of plant matter, but cat bodies require meat to function, and commercial cat food is loaded with protein. Dogs are able to eat an omnivorous diet , so their food has a broader range of ingredients.
If they can eat more than just plain old meat, why do dogs love cat food so much? Well, think about the pungent aroma that arises from a freshly-popped can of cat food. Cat food is specifically formulated to appeal to your carnivorous cat, but that juicy, meaty goodness will get your dog salivating, too.
Another reason cat food appeals to dogs: its there! Many cats free-feed, meaning their food is left out all day long. Depending on how food-motivated your dog is, sometimes the mere presence of off-limits, delicious-smelling food can cause an obsession .