Is It Safe To Give My Dog Or Cat Fruit
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There are many benefits of including fruit in a healthy human diet, but as a pet parent, you may ask yourself: can my pets eat fruit? If you’re tempted to feed these tasty treats to your furry friend, you’ll be happy to know that you can include fruit in your pet’s snack routine, as long as you stick to those fruits that are safe.
Some fruits can be toxic to your pet, so it’s very important to double-check with your veterinarian before sharing your fruit salad. Also, remember that it is very important to consider your pet’s overall diet. If your dog or cat is already eating a well-balanced diet, make sure that you don’t overdo it with feeding them fruit, even if it is a nutritious treat.
Ive Heard They Could Eat Cat Food
Hedgehogs can eat cat food. In fact, dried varieties are a perfect choice for hedgies. The fat to protein ratio is almost just thats needed for the prickly creatures. Of course, you still need to watch out that the dry cat food wouldnt contain anything entirely suitable for hedgehogs as their main ingredients. Be careful not to overfeed your hedgehog with dried cat food, though. The calories add up easily. Its similar to people and their common failure to stop eating savory cookies or chips.
How To Prevent A Cat From Eating Dog Food
If your cat regularly seems more interested in the dog’s food than their own or are simply greedy, you may want to find some ways to avoid it. Here are some tips to help you keep themselves to themselves:
- Use differently designed bowls: dogs and cats have the ability to distinguish between shapes and sizes, so having two bowls which look too similar can make it difficult for them to distinguish which is which. Different colors may not be enough. Buy differently sized food dishes or even go for completely different shapes.
- Establish feeding schedules: whether or not you spend all day at home, having a feeding schedule for both animals is crucial. Cats and dogs are creatures of routine, so they will learn what time is feeding time. By controlling when they eat and encouraging them to eat at specific times, they will be less likely to go searching for the other pet’s food.
- Serve the food in different places: you dog and cat may be on the same eating schedule, but if you place their feeders in different places, they will be less likely to go to the others for food.
- Discipline: using positive reinforcement, you can train both dogs and cats to only eat from their dish. Giving a firm no if you see them eating from the other’s bowl can be helpful, but only if they are in the act. If you scold them after the fact they will not understand and it can cause them stress.
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Tracking Toxins In Your Dog & Cat
Toxins get into your pet through several means. Some get into your pet through accidental ingestion. Outdoor toxins like weed killers, pesticides, automotive exhaust & motor oil, and chemical road or sidewalk de-icers get into our pets when they breathe them in, eat chemical-laden grass, lick dust or residue off their paws or fur, or absorb them through their paws. Other environmental toxins arrive the same way from cleaners, air fresheners, laundry products and other chemicals used in the household. More toxins can be directly ingested in your pet’s drinking water, in commercial food and treats, and in the over-the-counter or prescription medications they take. And finally, some toxins are produced within your pet’s body, either through their own metabolic processes or by microbial activity, most often bacteria and/or yeast in the GI tract.
“Our pets’ wild counterparts have very efficient toxin elimination systems that have developed over centuries to handle the natural toxins they encounter, but our domesticated pets are bombarded daily with an overwhelming number of toxins, most of which their bodies have not had enough evolutionary time to adapt to.”
If Your Dog Tends To Move On To Your Cat’s Food Bowl After He Finishes His Dinner You’re Going To Want To Read This
Dogs will eat any food they can find. Whether its dog food, cat food, something you dropped on the ground while eating dinner, or garbage they find on their walk, they dont discriminate. We can assume that the garbage your dog finds on the road isnt healthy for him, but is it bad if your dog occasionally eats the leftovers your cat left in her bowl? Can dogs eat cat food? If your cat is the pet in your house that loves to eat, learn if cats can eat dog food.
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Can You Give Cat Food To Dogs
Dogs should not be fed cat food and dog owners who have cats should ensure their dogs access to cat food is restricted. One of the reasons for this is cats are carnivores and their diet is almost exclusively made up of meat. Dogs, on the other hand, are omnivores and need a much more balanced diet to meet their nutritional requirements.
Is Ash Content Important In Cat Food
Concern about ash content in pet foods came about as veterinarians and cat guardians were looking for the cause of Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease .
In the 70’s & 80’s, veterinarians thought ash was a factor in causing crystals in urine. There are, however, a variety of causes and ash is no longer considered a factor in causing FLUTD. The main problem was the formulation of commercial pet foods: most pet foods were creating a more alkaline urine which leads to an increase in struvite crystals.
Most commercial dry kibble diets are formulated with a high vegetable and grain content which creates a more alkaline urine. An all meat diet such as a cat would eat in nature creates a more acidic urine.
A high protein diet is the best way to maintain a low urinary pH naturally. Cats eating canned diets have fewer problems with FLUTD than those eating primarily dry kibble diets. This is due both to the higher meat content of canned diets as well as the higher moisture content increased hydration also prevents crystal formation.
A frozen raw food diet is ideal for maintaining a lower urinary pH and providing proper hydration. Focusing on low-ash foods will not solve FLUTD problems, but a healthier diet and proper hydration will.
A more effective means of preventing FLUTD than stressing about the amount of ash in your companion’s food is focusing on stress reduction for your pet and you. Stress is an often overlooked contributing factor to FLUTD, along with lack of exercise.
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Can Dogs Eat Cat Food What Happens If A Dog Eats Too Much
Their kibble may look similar, but there are differences between dog food and cat food. Thats because dogs and cats differ wildly. Sure, both animals are mammals and both eat meat, but thats about where their similarities stop.
Dogs evolved to take advantage of a variety of nutrients, including the fiber found in plants. Theyre scrappier they make do with what they come across. For this reason, dogs can fast for longer, too. This ability means they require less protein and fats, and more plant content than found in cat food.
Cat food not only lacks crucial nutrients dogs require, its also overabundant in nutrients they do need. You could think of cat food as a cheat meal or junk food for dogs. But while some turn to cat food as a treat in a pinch, dog specific treats are better for their health in the long run.
So, whats the worst that could happen if your dog gets into some cat chow? While many dogs can tolerate the occasional sneak meal, some dogs may overeat the already rich food and vomit or suffer diarrhea. If thats the case, the pooch will probably stabilize on its own, but be prepared for a visit to the vet if symptoms worsen.
In the long term, the high protein content of cat food can tax a dogs liver and kidneys. And the high fat content can lead to pancreatitis, which gives them digestion issues, among other dreadful symptoms like diarrhea.
The Difference Between Cat And Dog Nutrition
Dogs and cats have different nutrition needs. Dogs are omnivores, meaning they consume meat and vegetables, whereas cats are obligate carnivores, which means that they need to eat a diet that is mainly meat. In other words, dogs need a more varied diet than cats.
In addition, canines require ten amino acids, while felines require eleven. The additional amino acid they need is taurine, which is vital for normal vision, heart function, digestion, and a healthy immune system.
In order to satisfy feline dietary requirements, cat food is higher in meat-based protein, taurine, calories, and fat than dog food. This may be one of the reasons why dogs find cat food so irresistible. The higher fat and protein levels in cat food make it more fragrant and tasty.
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Can A Cat Eat Dog Food On An Empty Stomach
Some studies have shown that itâs best to feed your cat food which is high in protein and fat because it will help them maintain a healthy weight and balanced diet.
It doesnât matter if you feed them cat food or dog food because as long as they are high in those ingredients, your cat will be okay.
But as we said before, itâs best to avoid dog food altogether if your cat can eat cat food without any problems.
Have you ever given your catâs dog food? If so, how were their reactions and what kind of food did you give them? Let us know in the comments section below.
How Toxins Can Affect Your Dog & Cat
In a healthy body, toxins are rounded up and eliminated quickly through the organs of elimination . Our pets’ wild counterparts have very efficient toxin elimination systems that have developed over centuries to handle the natural toxins they encounter, but our domesticated pets are bombarded daily with an overwhelming number of toxins, most of which their bodies have not had enough evolutionary time to adapt to. In the short run, our pets’ bodies react to toxins as ours do – the immune system ramps up processes like inflammation, mucus production or diarrhea to help the immune system’s army of cells resolve the problem and purge the offending “invaders” from the system.
When the body is overwhelmed with too many toxins, it is forced to store them until there is an opportunity to eliminate them at a better time. For many pets, the better time never arrives, and toxins can accumulate indefinitely, where over time they can cause symptoms like lethargy, fatigue, and/or proneness to infection. Ultimately toxic overload can impede the work of your pet’s immune system to the point where cellular abnormalities like tumors and cysts may form, and other serious health conditions may develop as cells degrade and organ function is impaired.
- The Complete Guide to Holistic Cat Care, by Dr. Jean Hofve, DVM
- The Nature of Animal Healing, by Martin Goldstein, DVM
- Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats, by Richard Pitcairn, DVM, PhD, and Susan Hubble Pitcairn
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Differences In Food Types
Cats should be fed cat treats and dogs fed dog treats because the twodifferent foods are designed to meet the needs of two different animals. Cat treats are much higher in protein, making them attractive to dogs, which can cause health problems for dogs, who are omnivores.
Dogs require fruits and vegetables to make their diets complete. Catsdon’t. Thus, high quality cat food is made up almost entirely of protein and vitamins that cats need for their predatory lifestyle. Sincedog treats are formulated for dogs, they are simply healthier for dogs to consume.
Cats Vs Dogs: Nutrition
Cats and dogs have different dietary requirements. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means that cats must eat meat. Its a biological necessity. Dogs, contrary to some beliefs, are omnivores, which means they eat meat and vegetables, so they need a more varied diet than just meat alone to meet their nutritional requirements.
Cat food is much higher in meat-based protein than dog food. This might be why cat food is so appealing to dogs, since the meat smell and flavor are so strong. However, just because dogs crave it doesnt mean they should eat it.
Unless your veterinarian recommends otherwise, the best food for your dog is dog food, not cat food.
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Keeping Your Canine Out Of The Cats Food
If you have multiple pets, you know that it can be tricky to get them to eat their own food.
Your overweight retriever probably spends his time trying to steal your new puppys food while ignoring his low-calorie kibble. But the puppy doesnt seem to mind, because hes busy eating the cats food instead of his own. Meanwhile, the cat doesnt even notice, because he just wants to eat your parakeet.
Youll have to figure out how to keep your cat from tormenting your pet bird, but well try to provide a few tips for keeping your dog from eating your cats food below.
Can Hedgehogs Eat Dog Food
Hedgehogs arent common pets like cats and dogs. With the latter, we already tend to know what to feed them and which food items to skip. Exotic animals raise much more confusion. In this post, well take a closer look at the relationship between hedgehogs, dog food, and other appropriate food options.
No, dog food isnt a good or healthy choice for hedgehogs. You should only feed them dog food if:
a) the dog food products nutritional content matches the hedgehog feeding guidelines b) it doesnt contain any food items harmful or not recommended to hedgehogs c) and you break down the kibble into an appropriate size.
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Proper Use Of Cat Treats
If your dog simply loves cat treats, consider giving one or two as a special reward for performing a very difficult training task. For example, if your dog did a recall instead of running into traffic to seeanother dog or if your fearful dog approached a stranger, this might bea cause for a special treat, such as cat or human food.
However, don’t use cat treats for daily use. This should be for special occasion only. Don’t feed on a regular basis or because your ranout of dog food. A balanced human meal would serve your dog better.
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.
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But Whats Wrong With Dog Food
Most dog food products are harmful to hedgehogs. For example, the dog treats might contain fish. Hedgehogs shouldnt eat fish or seafood. But thats just the beginning. Many of the dog food mixes contain a big amount of corn or some grains. Hedgies dont have a natural capacity to properly digest this food. Even further, when you compare the protein and fat content, its definitely out of balance regarding hedgies needs. Dog foods have more fat, but hedgehogs actually need more protein in their diet.
And dog foods are just that, dog food! This means that the nutritional content is optimal for dogs, not hedgehogs. When the package says that the food contains X or Y, making it look beneficial, then theres a chance that product is a big fat zero nutrition-wise for hedgies. Another aspect concerns the kibble size. Dogs are much larger than hedgehogs, which makes the bigger kibble size completely reasonable. But the big size makes chewing and swallowing much harder for hedgehogs. In some cases, it might be just plain impossible to properly eat the food.
Attention! Dog food is a controversial topic. We stay cautious. Some rescue centres and other organizations claim to feed hedgehogs dog food without any problems. Other people online claim the same thing. But that doesnt really negate the idea that the nutritional content usually wont serve the hedgehogs needs. Plus, the kibble size is definitely out of proportion compared to the hedgehogs mouths and throats.