Can Cats Eat Carbohydrates
While cats are obligate carnivores and can convert protein and fat into glucose, they can also utilize carbohydrates as an energy source.
There is a lot of myth and misunderstanding about cats and carbohydrates. Unlike the essential nutrients listed above, cats do not have a specific requirement for carbohydrates in their diet. Nonetheless, carbohydrates are a great source of energy in the form of glucose, as well as dietary fibre.
Cats do not have the enzyme glucokinase, which is the main enzyme used by the mammalian body to breakdown carbohydrate and extract glucose. Instead, they have an enzyme called hexokinase and this performs the same function in cats, thereby allowing them to utilise highly digestible carbohydrates.
We already know that cats obtain most of their energy needs from the breakdown of protein, so even though they dont need carbohydrates, they can use them as an alternative energy source if required. More importantly, cats benefit from the dietary fibre contained in highly digestible carbohydrates to enhance their gut health.
Choosing The Right Cat Food
For all of the reasons mentioned above, you should not feed dog food to your cat as their sole source of nutrition. But, how do you know the cat food you buy has all of the individual ingredients your cat needs, in the correct quantities, and in the mix of other ingredients that will not inhibit your cats ability to metabolize and absorb them?
When you are buying a bag of cat food, look for the AAFCO statement. AAFCO stands for Association of American Feed Control Officials. They are the governing body that has set the minimum standards for what is required in formulated foods for our pets.
The AAFCO statement will usually be on the side panel. It will either say that this particular food is formulated to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles or that it has passed animal feeding trials for cats. That way you know for sure that the food has all of the things your cat needs to be healthy.
The best statement is one that mentions the company has done feeding trials on their food. Here is an example of an AAFCO statement indicating the company has done research on their food to prove it ensures the health of cats:
Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that provides complete and balanced nutrition for cats.
Reading pet food labels can be overwhelming. Check out this webpage that describes what is required on a pet food label and what each item means for more information:
What Is The Difference Between Canned Dog Food & Canned Cat Food
While an occasional nibble of your dog’s food won’t hurt your cat, long-term feeding of food formulated for dogs certainly can. For proper nutrition, feed your kitty only food specifically labeled for cats. Cats have different nutritional needs from dogs and become malnourished if fed a diet designed for canines.
Recommended Reading: Iams Dog Food Henderson Nc
What Happens If My Cat Eats Dog Food
The food in dog food is not toxic to cats, which is why you shouldnt think that small amounts here and there will make your cat ill. Your cats health will become worse after consuming dog food for a long period of time if eating it becomes a regular thing for you, youll have trouble making sure she has enough nutrition from pet food.
How Do I Feed My Multi
Cats and dogs can live together harmoniously, but their food dishes just dont mix. The easiest solution for feeding your cats and dogs: separate feeding areas.
Mikel Delgado, a cat behavior expert with Rover, suggests having separate food dishes for each animal in your house and place them in separate areas. Keep in mind that cats naturally hunt small animals that they dont share, she explains. Although for us, its a ritual to eat together, that is not true for cats!
Delgado also brings up an excellent point about cats natural instincts: They prefer their space and privacy while eating, and they dont always want to take turns at a shared bowl.
Recommended Reading: How To Soften Dry Cat Food
What Is Cat Food Made From
Contrary to the diet of a dog, cats need food rich in protein and fat. It also needs to be lower in fiber. Felines need added vitamin A as they are an organism which is unable to metabolize it on their own. The same happens with taurine, an amino acid which cats in the wild get from eating raw meat, especially offal such as the liver or heart. As commercial cat food is not raw and doesn’t always contain these elements, it must be added to the food during production. We should not underestimate how important taurine is to the health of our cats. A diet sufficiently deficient in taurine will lead to various health problems in cats including heart disease. This is something which needs to be considered if you are thinking of providing a raw food diet for cats.
When you are considering your cat’s diet and nutritional needs in general, you need to remember that they are obligate carnivores. This is why they require so much protein in their diet. If they don’t have sufficient amounts of protein, they will not have the energy they need to carry out their physical activities throughout the day. Although cats might seem like lazy animals at times, in actuality they burn a lot of energy during games or when hunting. If a cat has protein deficiency, they will not only become lethargic, but can develop severe illnesses.
What To Do If Your Cat Eats Some Of Your Dogs Food
You just walked in and saw your cat eating out of your dogs bowl. Now, youre concerned for your furry friends health and youre wondering what effects this meal could have on them. Dont worry. Dog food isnt toxic for a cat. The problems arise when your cat is eating dog food in place of cat food because they wont be getting all of the nutrients they need to remain healthy.
You May Like: Best Food For Pomeranian Puppies
What If My Cat Accidentally Eats Dog Food
If your cat accidentally eats your dogs dinner, dont fret.
Dog food isnt dangerous to cats, but it shouldnt be eaten in place of cat food on a regular basis. A cat can eat some dog food without illness even though its not the best nutrition for them.
If you are in an emergency situation where you forgot to stop by the store to pick up more cat food and all you have is dog food, feeding it your cat will be fine, Dr. Ochoa says. And if your cat takes a few pieces of food out of your dogs bowl, theres nothing to worry about, she adds.
But cats cannot survive on dog food alone for their long term diet. Without the right amount of protein, cats lose muscle mass and become lethargic. When it comes to taurine, VCA Animal Hospitals explains that the amino acid is critical for vision, digestion, heart function, fetal development, and a healthy immune system in cats.
What Is Dog Food Made From
Both dog and cat food comes in different formulations with various ingredients and flavors. There are also specially designed recipes for dogs depending on their health status, age, breed and size. Despite the fact they are created with these variations, the food for a cat is formulated differently to cat food.
Dog food contains a higher amount of high concentrations of beta-carotene, something crucial for proper canine development. This is due to the need to be converted into vitamin A. In older dogs beta-carotene is particularly important as it can specifically restore immune responses which have been wakened by age. Canine food is also characterized by being rich in vitamins, fiber and being lower in proteins and fat than cat food. The last difference is due to a dog’s tendency to gain weight more easily if these constituents are elevated, something which will happen if you let a dog eat cat food regularly.
For this reason, it is better for a dog not to eat cat food. Their species, breed and age needs to be considered and cat food will not meet these specific needs, especially over a prolonged period.
Recommended Reading: How Long Does Dry Dog Food Stay Good
My Cat Does Not Like Eating Cat Food But Will Eat My Dogs Food How Can I Make Sure They Are Getting The Nutrients They Need
Pick up any remaining dog food right after your dog finishes eating. Offer your cat canned or wet cat food with a strong odor to encourage eating their own food. Feed your cat in places your dog does not have access to so your dog does not eat your cats food. Work with a veterinary nutritionist to design a homemade recipe you can cook for your cat.
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.
Don’t Miss: Dog Food With Food Stamps
The Right Amount Of Vitamins And Minerals
Minerals make up 0.7% of the animals body weight. The most common macro-minerals are calcium, potassium, sodium, and magnesium. Micro-minerals are iron, zinc, copper, manganese, iodine, and selenium. Each one needs to be provided in the right proportion and overdosing any of them can be harmful to the pet.
Vitamins are used to promote and control a variety of physiological processes. Just as with minerals, the right amount is key and will provide better results, some vitamins can even cause health issues and be toxic in excess, in the best case itll be a waste of money to add too much of a given vitamin in a diet.
Nutrition Needs For A Cat
Cats are obligate carnivores. They need animal protein in their dietary meals to keep fit and healthy. Apart from that, cats need the amino acid taurine in their diet. Dog foods are incapable of providing the vitamins, minerals, and vital nutrients that a cat requires thriving. Association of American Feed Control Officials or AAFCO directed the following nutritional needs for a cat.
- Meat and fish protein
- Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids
- Taurine
- Animal fat
Don’t Miss: Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Low Fat Dog Food 28.6 Lb
Video Answer: Can Cats Eat Dog Food What Would Happen
Dogs have been known to adopt an abandoned or orphaned kitten. This is an instinct that female dogs have because of their maternal nature. They do this so the kitten will survive. The dam, or the dog mother, will welcome the kitten into her litter and feed it as her own.
Kittens may not be scared of adult dogs or puppies at first.
Nevertheless, Kittens are small and fragile and can be easily hurt, especially if an adult dog has a strong prey drive.
So, can Huskies drink milk? No. Milk should be completely avoided and not be part of a Husky’s diet because they are lactose intolerant. Milk consumption can lead to stomach problems including vomiting, diarrhea, and possibly obesity if consumed over a long period of time.
Kittens are Not Puppies.
Mother’s milk is a kitten’s best feeding option but isn’t always available.
It’s probably safe for cats to lap up puppy milk replacement in small amounts, but it won’t contain the proper nutritional balance necessary for proper development.
Dog treats should not be given to cats. There may be ingredients in dog treats that aren’t safe for cats, explains Dr. Heinze. For example, ethylene glycol the main ingredient in antifreeze is sometimes added to dog foods in small amounts to keep it moist.
Is it safe to give Per AG kitten milk replacer plus to a puppy? No, the nutritional needs of puppies and kittens are different.
How To Prevent Cats From Eating The Dogs Food
If youve caught your cat trying to get into your dogs food bowl more than once, there are a few things you can do to make sure the food they have access to is the one that meets their dietary requirements.
The out of sight, out of mind rule can be helpful in helping cats focus only on the food meant for them. Put enough distance between the cat and the dog food bowls to stop your little feline from being tempted into trying their house mates dinner.
Having the two pets in different rooms at meal time can help.
While dog food is not on the list of harmful and poisonous substances for cats, it is important to make sure it doesnt become the default meal for a cat curious to try new things at dinner time.
If you want to find out more about the different dietary requirements of cats and dogs, read our handy guidelines for feeding your cat and feeding your dog.
Also Check: Is Natural Balance Dog Food Made In China
Can Cats Eat Dog Food What Happens If They Do
When I was growing up, my dad lived in the country. We always had a lot of cats who lived outdoors on his farm. My dad fed them dry cat food mixed with dry dog food to make the cat food last longer and save money. I always wondered, can cats eat dog food? Is it bad for cats to eat dog food?
If you feed a feral cat colony or have both a dog and a cat living in your home, you may have some similar questions. You may wonder, can cats eat dog food? Is dog food bad for cats? Can cats eat dog food for a day, a week, a month, or longer? Is it OK to feed a cat dog food in an emergency? Lets delve into these questions.
Will Dog Food Harm My Cat
Cats will not be harmed by dog food if theyre given it short-term. Although nutrient deficiencies can be dangerous, a cats system wont collapse overnight or even within a couple of days.
Starvation is far riskier and may leave your cat to waste away in a far shorter amount of time. You can be certain: its much better to give cats dog food than it is to offer no food at all.
Just be aware that there may be side effects. If your cat has an allergy to one of the ingredients found in dog food, it may become sick. Likewise, dog food has a much higher fiber content than cat food. This may cause bloating and constipation.
On a comforting note, any sudden change in diet can do the same. If youve ever swapped out your cats brand of food before, you will be familiar with the symptoms. The cat will recover in the same way, too.
Your cat may get diarrhea, which will be messy and uncomfortable. As long as its given a calm environment and plenty of water, your pet will be fine. Diarrhea is only harmful to cats that are extremely young or old.
Also Check: Can Food Stamps Buy Dog Food
Can Cats Eat Wet Dog Food
Wet dog food is safe for cats to eat. It is palatable and wont pose a choking hazard. The ingredients do not contain anything harmful or toxic to cats. Unless your cat has an allergy, it may even prefer the aroma and taste of the gravy.
Be wary of any dog food that is served as large chunks, though. It can be quite easy for a cat to choke on such lumps of food. If no other meal option is available, chop these large pieces into smaller bits before offering them to your cat.
Cats cannot eat wet dog food in the long-term. It should only be used as a substitute meal in dire circumstances.
So Why Do They Need So Much Protein
Cats rely heavily on protein as their main source of glucose in the body. Glucose is the bodys primary fuel. It provides the energy for every function in the body from growth, to breathing to thinking to physical repair. Glucose is required at a cellular level to simply allow the body to function.
In cats, most of their energy is obtained from protein breakdown in the liver, but the liver has a fixed rate of activity to achieve this. Ultimately, if cats dont obtain sufficient protein in their diet to meet this energy requirement, they will start to break down their own body protein or muscle.
Protein is made up of chains of amino acids and a number of these are only found in meat.
Herbivores and omnivores have the ability to create these amino acids from other plant-based protein sources, but cats are unable to do this.
They rely so heavily on protein as a significant energy source in the body, that they have evolved not to waste this precious resource on converting amino acids that can readily be obtained from eating animal tissue. Consequently, all cat food must be formulated to contain sufficient levels of taurine and arginine in particular. Without enough of these amino acids supplied through food, cats are at risk of developing heart disease, eye disease, and neurological disease.
But cats dont only require essential amino acids to be supplied in their food. They also have a unique requirement for a specific omega-6 fat called arachidonic acid.
Also Check: Darwins Dog Food
Cats Eat When They Feel Like It
Cats know how to dose their food well and are not like dogs, that eat it all at once. Unless the veterinarian recommends otherwise, free access to food is fine for all felines.
Cats tend to become overweight because they dont exercise enough. In these cases, we recommend you follow the dietary guidelines provided by your veterinarian after studying your pets case.