What Happens When Dogs Eat Cat Food

Is Cat Food Good For Dogs

As I hinted at earlier, cat food is not designed for your dog. Labels and guidelines are available for all kinds of foods so that everyone is eating what is most appropriate for them.

Feeding your dog a cats diet can have some short term and long term side effects therefore try and be careful about what you are feeding him. Make sure that it is always good for him.

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.

Whats The Difference Between Cat Food And Dog Food

Lets start with a basic understanding of how the digestive systems differ between cats and dogs.

As an obligate carnivore, cats are required to consume high volumes of protein as the primary source of their diets. Its this high protein content that likely makes cat food so tempting to dogs. Their food is also enriched with amino acids like taurine, vitamin A and arachidonic, an essential fatty acid.

Read Also: Do Edible Arrangements Take Ebt

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 Dogs Get Sick From Eating Cat Food

Even if your dog seems to love the taste of cat food, over-indulging or eating cat food as part of their regular diet could make him sick. McCarthy says that gas and diarrhea are the most likely symptoms of changing your dogs food, but more severe symptoms are possible.

The high protein content and different nutrients can cause health problems like pancreatitis and obesity, she says. The higher protein content can also be harsh on a dogs liver and kidneys.

Read Also: How Long Does Dry Dog Food Stay Fresh Once Opened

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.

How To Train Your Dog To Stop Eating Cat Food

Start by making bowls of food distinguishable.To be fair to your dog, it may be hard to tell the difference between a bowl full of kibble that theyre supposed to eat, and a bowl full of kibble thats off-limits. Help your dog out by making the bowls of kibble look very different from each other. Try different bowl sizes and colors, and if you have a placemat under your pets bowls, make sure theyre different too.

Teach your dog the Leave It command. Once your dog knows Leave It, introduce cat food and repeat until they can successfully ignore the food. It can take daily practice for a few weeks, but stay consistent with your training and youll get it together!

Remove the opportunity for your dog to eat cat food.The best way to keep your dog from eating cat food is to separate your pets when food is out. Start by moving your cats bowl to another room one your dog cant get to. If your dog never has access to the cats food, theyll never get the opportunity to steal it! Here are some options:

The bottom line: Dont leave cat food out when your dog has plenty of opportunities to sneak over and grab a few bites. If youre used to leaving food out throughout the day, it may take a while to get your pets used to eating their meals in full on a schedule. However, the benefits of a feeding schedule and removing any food that isn’t eaten in 10-20 minutes is worth it.

Don’t Miss: Purina Dog Food Good For Dogs

Why Do Cats And Dogs Have Different Food

It is obvious why dogs shouldnt eat a rabbit diet they would probably give you a long, hard stare if you put hay in their bowl for dinner. What may not be as obvious however, is why cats and dogs should have different diets. After all, many meats such as chicken, beef, and fish come under the favourites category for both species.

But the picture is not as simple as that . A major difference is that cats are obligate carnivores, meaning their diet must consist of meat primarily, as they have a higher demand for fat and quality proteins. Dogs, on the other hand, are omnivores , so their diet will be slightly lower in meat content compared to cats, but higher in carbohydrates and vegetables, which help provide the right nutrients.

There are also a number of nutrients and supplements which appear in cat food but not dogs, and vice versa. For example, cats will need arginine , arachidonic acid , and vitamin A in their diets, as they are unable to make this in their own bodies.

Cats Vs Dogs: Nutritional Needs

Cats and Dogs have different nutritional needs. This is especially true if you have a much larger dog. Cats need meat to survive. Dogs do too but on a much smaller scale. Because of this, most cat foods are much denser when it comes to animal protein content.

Because most formulas are so much more nutrient-dense and concentrated, its not recommended for canines to eat long term. It also has a higher calorie count in a smaller package. This means your dog can gain weight and develop other health issues if they eat it long-term.

Don’t Miss: Is Purina A Good Dog Food

Can Dogs Eat Cat Food What You Need To Know

If you share your home with both dogs and cats, then its likely that your dog has, at some point, found an opportunity to steal a tasty bite of your cats food. Is there any harm in this, and should this be something you need to put a stop to right now?

What if you forgot to pick up dog kibble at the grocery store, but you have plenty of cat food? Is it okay to substitute cat food? Is cat food safe for dogs?

The short answer of whether its safe for dogs to eat cat food is that its not going to cause any problems if your dog eats cat food occasionally. But its not something you should make a habit of or encourage in any way. Lets look at why.

Can You Feed A Dog Cat Food

You can, its your prerogative, but you should have an understanding about what you are feeding your dog. Cat food does not equal dog food, it doesnt even equal cat food. What I mean by this is that cat food isnt the same across the board.

Unlike dry cat food, canned cat food could contain 40% to 50% protein. Thats close to triple the amount a dog needs for minimal maintenance.

This could definitely impact your dog’s health. Before you start feeding your dog the cats food, you may want to consider the side effects that a high protein diet of cat food could have on him.

Recommended Reading: Can Chickens Eat Avocado

What Happens If Dogs Eat Cat Food Regularly

Dogs and cats have different food for a reason. Each different food is formulated to suit the specific animals needs and biology. So if your dog is regularly eating cat food it can cause havoc because, funnily enough, cat food is balanced according to a felines needs and not a canines.

Your pooch can actually have a far more varied diet than cats because canines are omnivores. Although they need a lot of protein and fat in their diet, they dont need as high proportions of it as a cat does in their diet. Cat food has a much higher amount of both fat and protein because cats are true carnivores, and it means their food is hard for a dog to digest. It might sound barking mad, but a dog really can have too much protein.

Annoyingly, while a cat is less likely to find dog food appetising, a dog will probably wolf down any cat food they find. Thats because cat food is developed to be more appealing to cats and their limited taste buds. Dogs have more than double the number of taste buds as a cat, so to your pooch, cat food is highly flavourful and near irresistible. But your dog should not be allowed to eat cat food regularly because it will probably have a detrimental effect on their health. For example…

Your dog might pile on the pounds

At risk of pancreatitis

The balance of vitamins isnt suitable for dogs

How Do I Stop My Dog Eating Cat Food

It can be challenging to make sure each of your pets eats their food and their food alone, but here are a few tricks to try and reinforce this. The aim of the game is to keep the cat bowl out of the dogs reach. So, try feeding them in separate closed rooms, or using an automated cat feeder. Another simple solution is to place the cat bowl at an elevated location where the dog cant reach, such as the countertop, or on a shelf.

Recommended Reading: Good Food For Pomeranian Dog

Can Dogs Eat Cat Food What Happens When They Do

Did your dog recently eat some cat food, and you aren’t sure what to do? Our veterinarian Jo Woodnutt weighs in on if cat food is safe, and your next steps.

This article was written by a veterinarian, but it should not substitute as contact with a trained professional. If your dog ate cat food, we recommend you contact your own veterinarian.

Most cat owners feed their cat on the floor. This presents a problem when you have a greedy pup that loves to go and dig in when you arent looking. So can dogs eat cat food? And what happens when they eat a bunch of it? The short answer is yes. But you shouldnt be sharing your cats food with your canine companion regularly, and theres some caveats we need to explore.

Most dogs can eat a small amount without any problems at all. Cat food contains no ingredients that are poisonous to dogs. In fact, dogs can actually get some nutritional benefits after consumption. Given how much they like it, some dog owners have been known to use it as a high-value training reward on occasion.

While its usually safe for dogs to eat, they shouldnt eat too much, or have it too frequently. It should not be a replacement for their normal dog food diet. Theres a reason why cats and dogs have different foods, as they have different nutritional needs. Your pup also shouldnt eat any at all, even as a treat if they are suffering from liver or kidney disease, or prone to pancreatitis. Lets dive in and look at some details.

Contents

Is It Dangerous For My Dog To Eat Cat Food Occasionally

To answer in short: no. If your dog has scoffed a bowl of cat food, it most probably isnt going to cause any serious problems. Its also unlikely to turn into an emergency. Dogs are known to have an affinity for consuming a wide range of food substances , and sometimes even non-food items , so in most cases snacking on cat food wont give them any trouble.

Some dogs however, may experience some mild signs afterwards. Those with sensitive stomachs might end up with diarrhoea or vomiting, for example. Others may show signs of itchiness, if they are allergic to any of the ingredients in the cat food. There could be a wide range of reactions to cat food, depending on the individual animal.

Make sure you keep an eye on your dog if you know theyve consumed cat food if they develop any serious symptoms , then bring them to the vet immediately.

Read Also: What Is The Best Dog Food For A Pomeranian

What Happens If Dogs Eat Cat Food

Many petowners consider feeding cat food to dogs as a treat. If you give cat food toyour dog as a treat for his/her good behavior you should feed it in moderation.Avoid using cat food as treats for dogs here are some of the best dog treats youcan opt for instead of cat food.

Dogs thateat cat food in moderation are not at any health risk but frequently eating catfood can cause health issues. What exactly happens if dogs eat cat food? Dogsface side effects of eating cat food.

The sideeffects of cat food on dogs that eat cat food on a regular basis are quiteserious. Cat food is protein-dense and too much protein can lead to an upsetstomach in dogs.

Even if your dog is not sensitive or allergic to certain food cat food can still cause an upset stomach in dogs. Consuming cat food for a long time or on a regular basis will lead to digestive problems. Dogs cannot properly balance the protein-rich cat food.

A dogs digestive system needs a proper balance in fiber, fat, and protein. Dogs that eat cat food develop gastrointestinal problems. Vomiting and diarrhea are very common symptoms to detect an upset stomach if your dog eats too much cat food.

The highamount of meat with fats and proteins are also very harsh on the dogs kidneyand liver. It can also cause obesity in them and obesity will further lead tomore problems.

Feed Your Cat In A Different Room

Another simple way to prevent your dog from eating your cats food is to simply feed your cat in a closed room your dog cant enter.

You could use any room for such purposes, but bathrooms, laundry rooms, pantries, and garages are among the best. Baby gates can also be used to segment off a part of a room. Some household dog gates are designed with a small opening that allows cats to pass through while keeping canines out!

Recommended Reading: Dog Food With Food Stamps

Can Dogs Eat Cat Food How Safe Is It

So, can dogs eat cat food? Dogs can survive on cat food. However, it can lead to obesity, pancreatitis, or other stomach complications.

Because of the difference between the two foods, cat food will not have the proper balance of nutrients that your dog needs to be healthy.

If your dog shows any signs of distress, take them to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

• Abdominal pain.
• Diarrhea
• Fever

Even if your dog doesnt show signs of distress, ensuring that they have the nutrition they need is critical. Be sure to offer your dog quality dog food.

How To Stop Your Dog Stealing The Cat Food

The easiest way to stop your dog stealing your tabbys food is to keep it out of reach. You could place the cat food on a counter or high feeding perch where your dog cant get to it. Another solution is to feed them in different rooms.

Place tabbys food in an automatic feeder so it only opens when the cat is around. Take your dog for a walk or play a game outdoors with him so your cat can eat in peace. Most of all, dont encourage your dog to eat cat food.

Don’t Miss: Which Dog Food Is Better Purina Or Pedigree

What If Your Dog Ate Too Much

The primary problem is that its high in protein and high in fat. When your furry friend takes in that much food at once, it can upset their tummy. If youre lucky, youll get away with a bit of wind or some mild diarrhea after eating too much. Those who are less fortunate may find themselves at the vets office with a dog that is vomiting, has profuse diarrhea, and is refusing to touch any food. While gastroenteritis usually passes once the offending food is gone from the gut, pancreatitis can set in. Pancreatitis is much more serious and can cause severe dehydration and even death if left untreated.