Cats are very picky eaters. So if you’ve ever found yourself unexpectedly without food for your cat and wondering what to do, we understand. You wouldn’t be the first cat owner to look at dog food and wonder if it’s okay to give your cat dog food until he can head to the store to stock up on Sir Pounce’s usual choice food. >
It could even be that you caught your sweet feline nibbling on the dog’s bowl and are wondering if it’s safe for your cat to eat dog food. It’s rare for cats to want dog food, but if they do, should you worry?
We’ve got you covered. Read on to find out everything you need to know about cats eating dog food.
Is it safe for cats to eat dog food?
in small amounts, dog food is probably fine for cats to eat. but it’s important to remember that dogs and cats are different species of animals and therefore will have very different nutritional needs. in the short term, you can get away with feeding your cat dog food, but in the long term your cat may begin to experience complications and health problems.
difference between cat food and dog food
For starters, cat food has a much higher protein content than dog food. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they need meat-based proteins and animal fats for optimal nutrition. dogs, on the other hand, are omnivorous and will therefore thrive on a diet of meat, as well as some plant content.
On top of this, cats don’t taste the same as dogs. While dogs love cat food for its high protein content, cats rarely reach for dog food as they just don’t like it. The reason is that cats have a different taste system, so their food is specially formulated to appeal to these specific tastes.
For example, cats can’t taste sweetness, while dogs can. According to research based on changes in the sweet receptor gene, cats show indifference to both sweet carbohydrates and sweeteners. perhaps the fussy eating habits of cats developed around the remaining taste receptors.
Cats require their food to contain certain special ingredients not normally found in dog foods. A cat’s body can’t make taurine (an amino acid that’s important for digestion, vision, and heart health) or arachidonic acid, a fatty acid that dogs can make on their own. A lack of arachidonic acid in a cat’s diet can lead to abnormal liver and kidney function, inadequate blood clotting, and an increase in skin problems.
Vitamin A is another important dietary element required by cats. Dog food often includes vitamin A, however it is rarely at the levels cats need.
Carbohydrate needs differ greatly between cats and dogs. a cat requires much less carbohydrate in its diet, and a diet that is too high in carbohydrates can lead to weight gain and other problems, including diabetes. dogs, on the other hand, require significantly more carbohydrates in their diet, usually derived from plants, that cats generally do not eat.
Can Kittens Eat Dog Food?
A cat’s nutritional needs change throughout its life. what is an appropriate food for a kitten will not always provide the right amount of vitamins, protein and other nutrients for an adult or senior cat.
young cats and pregnant cats will generally require a higher energy content in their food to use for growth, while older cats will need a higher protein content to maintain muscle mass.
Dog food and treats are rarely suitable for any stage of a cat’s development due to a lack of amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals that cats need.
caught my cat eating dog food. what do i do?
If you’ve caught your cat stealing treats from the dog’s bowl, you probably don’t need to panic. a mouthful or two of canine food won’t harm your cat, but it certainly won’t meet your cat’s nutritional needs. a nibble here and there is fine, but dog food should never be the main part of your cat’s diet.
As we mentioned, cats and dogs have very different nutritional needs, so dog food will never be nutritionally complete for your cat, and cat food will never provide optimal nutrition for your dog.
The only real danger to your cat from eating dog food is that she will likely gain some weight due to the high carbohydrate content in the dog food. Not to mention, your cat is likely consuming dog food beyond his normal chow, so we’re looking at a significant calorie surplus.
More worrisome is the potential for food allergies and sensitivities. while not very common, your cat may show signs if the dog food contains an ingredient that doesn’t agree with him. watch for gastric symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting, a change in toileting habits, itching, excessive scratching, and excessive brushing, and contact your vet if your cat displays any unusual symptoms.
how to prevent a cat from eating dog food
If your cat frequently steals food from the dog bowl in addition to devouring its own food, it can cause rapid weight gain, especially considering that dog food contains a higher carbohydrate content than what cats usually need. So how do you prevent your cats from stealing from the dog’s bowl and vice versa?
The easiest solution to cats and dogs stealing from each other’s bowls is to feed them in separate areas. Eating is rarely a social occasion for cats, and they prefer to dine in private without an audience anyway.
If you have little space to keep pets apart during meals, your solution would be to supervise your pets during meals. that way you can step in when one starts looking at the other’s food. it usually takes 10-20 minutes for your pets to finish eating, then you need to pick up their bowls and remove any unfinished food.
Free feeding of pets is generally discouraged as it can cause weight gain, especially in cats or dogs that live predominantly indoors and may be prone to boredom.
Can cats get sick from eating dog food?
If your cat eats dog food occasionally, you probably don’t need to worry. however, you must keep an eye on his cat for signs that the food is not good enough for him.
Look for signs of allergies, including vomiting, diarrhea, hair loss, behavior changes, and excessive scratching or grooming. If your cat is showing signs of an allergy or sensitivity, please contact your vet for advice. Before talking to your vet, make a note of what dog food your cat has eaten to help the vet make a diagnosis and determine the best course of action.
can you feed a cat dog food in an emergency?
Sure, if you’ve run out of your regular cat food and are in a bind, it should be okay to give your cat dog food to help him out until you can go to the store. however, outside of emergencies, you should always select high-quality cat foods that are formulated specifically for your cat’s nutritional needs.
can cats eat wet dog food?
Some experts believe that wet food is preferable because cats are not big water drinkers and the moisture in wet food helps maintain hydration.
In the end, your cat will tell you which food he prefers wet or dry. what is most important is that he chooses a high-quality food that is high in protein, low in carbohydrates, and fortified with the necessary vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids your cat requires.
Raw food is gaining in popularity because it is believed to mimic a cat’s diet in the wild. free-feeding a raw diet is especially discouraged, as pathogens can develop and spread to the rest of the family, including humans.
takeaway
Dogs and cats have very different nutritional requirements, so an occasional bite of dog food probably won’t hurt your cat. Feeding your cat exclusively with dog food will cause health problems in your cat, since its nutritional needs will not be adequately covered.
If you don’t have a viable option and need to feed your cat dog food, then you should be fine. but it’s a good idea to monitor your cat for possible allergic reactions or sensitivities.
If your cat is stealing treats from the dog’s bowl, don’t panic. but it’s a good idea to stop this type of behavior, as dog food tends to have a higher carbohydrate content than cats normally require. the downside to this is that the high carbohydrates in dog food can cause weight gain in cats and can lead to other problems such as diabetes.
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