Okay But Is It Actually Better
Many of these fresh pet food brands are marketed as being human-grade or say they dont contain fillers, but that doesnt mean theyre better than traditional pet food. The fillers in pet food are grains or carbohydratessuch as corn, soy, or wheatthat offer your pet nutritional value. Preservatives extend the shelf life, flavor, and smell of pantry pet foods and typically go through quality-control testing by the FDA or another governing body, to ensure the food is still safe for your pet to consume.
The Association of American Feed Control Officials defines human-grade food as being suitable for human consumption, meaning all ingredients must be safe for humans to eat. Bullen explained that feed grade can be defined as being suitable for animal consumption. But the distinction may not be much more than marketing when youre talking about a dog who likes to eat leftovers out of the trash. There are so many things that would make food feed grade rather than human grade that wouldnt harm the animal in any form or fashion, Bullen said. A prime example of feed grade would be poultry by-product meal, which can consist of poultry liver, spleen, or kidneys, but would not include poultry feathers or feet.
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 .
Reasons For Changing Cat Foods
- Age: As cats grow and age, their nutritional needs change. Around age one, kittens should transition to adult cat food. Kitten food is higher in calories and nutrients that support growth and development. Once they reach maturity, those extra calories can lead to weight gain. Similarly, cats over the age of seven may benefit from a senior cat food to support their joint health, immune system and more.
- Weight: If your cat is not her ideal body condition, you may need to adjust her diet. This may mean feeding her more or less of her current food. In other cases, you may need to switch to a healthy weight formula. Check with your veterinarian for their recommendations to help your cat achieve and maintain her ideal body condition.
- Health: Aside from weight, certain other health concerns can be addressed through changes to your cats food. For example, if your cat has a sensitive stomach or dry, itchy skin, a sensitive skin and stomach formula may help.
- Indoor vs. Outdoor: If youve rescued an outdoor cat and plan to keep her indoors, you may need to switch to an indoor cat food formula. Indoor cats tend to be less active than outdoor cats, and theyre prone to more hairballs, so an indoor formula can help address those issues.
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Cats Love To Wet Their Whiskers
Even though a dry food diet might be more convenient for you, many aspects of wet food speak to cats natural appetites. Just like people, cats love variety. Varying textures and flavors can go a long way for your cat, and they tend to prefer to eat smaller meals more often during the day. are an ideal wet-food option to mix into your cats dry food. Just snap, peel and mix to turn an average meal into a special treat in seconds.
When Do I Feed My Pet A Bland Diet
Its best to consult your veterinarian if your pet is experiencing GI difficulties because the causes and treatments can be complex however, here are a few general guidelines for pets that have minor upsets.
The first thing to do if your pet vomits is nothing! Its best not to feed anything for 12-24 hours. But its important to prevent dehydration so offer water. Wait 2-3 hours after a vomiting episode and offer ¼ cup water. If your pet holds this down, offer a little more water every 2-3 hours. Your veterinarian may also suggest a supplement to manage electrolyte balance. When your pet can drink and hold down water, its time to move on to more solid bland food.
The goal is to rest the GI tract, so reintroduce bland food gradually. Several small meals per day are better than one or two large ones. Start by offering a very small amount, 1-2 tablespoons of food every 2-3 hours. If your pet tolerates this, you may gradually increase the amount and decrease the frequency of food, .
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How To Keep Dogs From Eating Cat Food
The best way to prevent your pup from eating cat food is to separate your pets when food is out. Start by moving your cats bowl to another room your dog cant get to. If you have a big dog, install a tall baby gate in the doorway with a small opening for your kitty or a small cat-flap in the door. If your dog is small, set up a sturdy baby gate they cant jump over.
Alternatively, you can feed your cat on a higher surface your dog cant reach, like a counter, washing machine, cat tree, or even a fridge.
You should also consider teaching your dog the Leave It command. Once they know this command, introduce cat food and repeat until they can successfully ignore the food.
Get The Latest Recipes Right In Your Inbox:
DIY dog food can easily be made right in the slow cooker. Its healthier and cheaper than store-bought, and its freezer-friendly!
If you didnt know what your slow cooker is capable of, youll be very happy to know that you can now add dog food to the crockpot list.
Remember that DIY homemade dog food recipe I made recently? Well, this is pretty much the crockpot version, using a blend of different veggies that will hold up a little better in the slow cooker.
Now the best part about this, just like all slow cooker recipes, is that you can simply dump everything right in. Thats it! Simply set it before you go to work and then you can come home to 2 weeks worth of dog food by the time you get home.
Its easy, its healthy, its nutritious, and you know exactly whats going into your pups bowl. This recipe is also completely customizable to veggies that you have on hand just be sure to double check what your pup can and cant eat. You can simply do a can my dog eat xyz search on Google.
But as always, please consult with your pets veterinarian for possible allergies and when applying this information to your own dogs diet.
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The Pfma Suggest Feeding A Species
If your cat will eat dog food it is fine to replace the odd meal when you run out of cat food but only as a temporary measure. Dog food is not toxic or unsafe it is just nutritionally inadequate. Your dog will probably confirm the higher value of cat food by attempting to steal it at any available opportunity!
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Can Dogs Eat Cat Food Is Cat Food Bad For Dogs
If you have a dog, youve probably noticed that theyre crazy about cat food. But is eating cat food safe for dogs? While a little cat food occasionally is unlikely to cause your pup any harm, it should definitely not be offered on a regular basis. After all, theres a reason why dogs eat dog food and cats eat food specifically crafted for them.
Heres everything you need to know about the difference between dog and cat nutrition and whether it is safe for your canine companion to indulge in cat food.
Pro Tip: If your pup eats something they shouldnt, pet insurance helps ensure they get the professional help they need along with financial support for vet bills.
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Q: What Are The Dangers Of A Cat Eating Dog Food
Dr. Leslie: A little nibble here or there is not usually a problem for cats. But in some cases, dog food may contain ingredients that are harmful to cats. For example, propylene glycol is commonly used in semi-moist dog foods. It’s perfectly safe for dogs, but higher levels can cause health problems in cats.
Over time, if a cat were fed only dog food, then protein, amino acid and fatty acid deficiencies would be expected. Dogs’ nutrient needs are lower, so the content in dog food is often less concentrated.
What Dogs Need To Eat
Despite their classification as Carnivora, dogs are considered omnivorous. This means that even though dogs like meat, they can also eat plant material and survive with such a diet. Indeed, dogs have shown the ability to digest carbohydrate-based foods.
Dogs, unlike cats, don’t have a strict need for for taurine and they can create their own arachidonic acid from vegetable oils. Unlike cats, they aren’t dependent on meat-specific protein and don’t necessarily require to consume a very high level of protein in order to fulfill their basic dietary requirements.
Additionally, recent studies have found that dogs, unlike wolves, have adapted to digest a starch-rich diet as a part of domestication.
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What Is Cat Food
There are two basic types of cat food, wet and dry. Manufacturers will cook the ingredients right in the can when preparing wet cat food, sealing in moisture and flavor. Dry food is like a biscuit or cookie mixed with ingredients and baked to hard, crunchy kibble. Both will provide your cat with a complete and balanced meal.
Cats are strictly carnivorous, so they require food high in animal protein. Unlike humans, they do not require any fruits, vegetables, or other plant matter in their diet. Animal proteins provide the cat with an important amino acid, taurine, which their bodies cannot create.
Feed Your Pet Foods Formulated For Their Species
Because of dogs’ and cats’ unique biology each species needs a different balance of nutrients. The best dog and cat food brands consider your pet’s biology before formulating the pet food. They will also take things such as lifestage, health conditions, certain pet food allergies, breed size , activity level, and a number of other factors into consideration before crafting a food that is right for a certain type of dog or cat.
This matters because all of those factors contribute to the overall health of your dog or cat. Think about it, you wouldn’t put the wrong type of gasoline into your car, would you? So, while you shouldn’t be too concerned if a kibble or two gets swiped, you should discourage them from sharing each other’s food when possible.
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How Do I Feed A Bland Diet
Bland diets help calm the revolt going on inside your pets stomach and intestines. Low in fiber, bland diets slow stool production so the urge to go to the bathroom is less frequent, easing diarrhea. These diets are also low in fat, are gentler on the stomach, and reduce vomiting. Moreover, they are highly digestible and reduce peristalsis giving the GI tract a needed rest.
Additional Dangers Of Mixing Pet Food
Besides compromising the nutrition of your pet, mixing their food can directly pose a danger to them as well. While not all cat food is dangerous to your dog, some varieties can harm him terribly. See, over time cats have become resistant to high Vitamin D levels in food. They can process things like marine-based foods without any problem whatsoever. Unfortunately, your doggie can get very ill if they feed on a diet with high levels of vitamin D. Some can die.
Additionally, cat food has more fat content than dog food. Most canines just cannot handle a lot of fat in their gut. Some should not eat fatty foods at all because they have fat intolerance. Lastly, the high protein in cat food can be too much for the canine system. While most dog foods are harmless to cats, there are cases where the food has certain ingredients that can pose a danger to the cats system. These include things like propylene glycol which is common in moist dog foods.
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Can Dogs Eat Cat Food A Vet’s Guide To Whether Cat Food Is Bad For Dogs
Knowing whether dogs can eat cat food can be an essential consideration in a multi-pet household
‘Can dogs eat cat food?’ is a common question asked by many dog owners. Concerned pet parents often ponder in particular whether cat food is bad for dogs, especially when their dog accidentally gets into the cat food.
The dog stealing the cats food is an age-old problem. In households with multiple pets, it is common for dogs to get into another pets food from time to time. Dogs usually find cat food quite tasty, but is it safe for them to eat? While even the most nutritious cat food is not toxic to dogs, there are certain health concerns associated with long-term consumption of cat food instead of dog food. Cat food is not ideal for your dog, but we will answer some common questions about what to do if your dog gets into cat food and how this product differs from dog food.
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.
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Influencing Factors On Determining Feed Amount
Activity level
Be honest with this assessment. Is your dog mostly a lounger that hangs out inside all day with a few backyard jaunts or is it a truly active dog like a sporting breed that hunts, a working dog like a police K9 or your pal that goes hiking with you multiple times a week for hours on end?
Human tendency is to over emphasize/assess activity levels.
Adjustments for weight gain or weight loss
Simply put, does your dog need to lose weight? Gain weight? Maintain? The answer to those questions will help you figure out which end of that 2-3% spectrum you want to start with when starting a raw food diet.
Life stage
Notice I said adult dogs when referring to the 2-3% of body weight for food amounts. Puppies are an entirely different story as theyre quickly growing and need more calories to support that growth.
There are two approaches for feeding puppies:
- 2-3% of their expected adult weight
- 5-6% of their current puppy weight adjusting with the dog as it grows
Senior dogs shouldnt have drastically different needs than a middle-aged dog unless of course, activity level impacts them.
Pregnant dogs are something you should speak to your vet about in determining the best amount of raw food to support a healthy pregnancy.
Making her homemade raw dog food has just become a part of the weekly routine now.
Its a 30 minute weekly commitment that has made both her and I incredibly happy.
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Can Dogs Eat Cat Food Once Or An Emergency
In an emergency where dog food is not available, you may be wondering if it is safe to give your dog a little bit of cat food instead. The occasional use of cat food is not toxic to dogs, but as previously mentioned, it is not ideal. As with any abrupt change in diet, you should expect some mild stomach upset. A better alternative in these situations is to feed a bland diet of boiled chicken and rice.
Another common scenario where owners consider using cat food is when their dog is not interested in the dog food. Since dogs usually find cat food appetizing, some owners will try to mix a little cat food in with dog food. Although this poses less of a health risk than feeding only cat food, it is still not recommended. Nutritional imbalances can still occur with the mixing of food. Some dogs are just picky eaters, but a poor appetite can indicate that your dog has an underlying health condition. If you notice your dogs appetite has changed, get them checked out by your veterinarian and discuss your concerns before making any major changes to your pets diet.
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