When it comes to mealtime, it’s not uncommon for cats and dogs to be curious about what’s left in their furry brother’s bowl. You’re not alone if your dog ate cat food once or twice, or if your cat ate dog food or treats — the occasional food swap isn’t much of a problem. but, if it becomes part of your daily routine, it’s time to correct this behavior.
let’s look at why your pets shouldn’t share the same kibble or eat each other’s food, what happened inside your pet’s body the last time your dog ate cat food (and vice versa), and how we can discourage sharing meals once and for all.
problems with pets sharing food
It may seem easy to just fill a large bowl with a single food and let all your pets munch and chew as they wish throughout the day, but there are a number of reasons why this is not recommended. For starters, you have no idea how much food each pet is consuming. are they overeating? aren’t you eating enough?
Let’s say you feed each pet individually, but you have a crafty pup who likes to eat the cat’s dinner for dessert. your dog may be eating too many calories per day, which could lead to obesity and other related health problems. Furthermore, when a dog eats cat food, he doesn’t get the proper ratio of protein, fiber, and other nutrients needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle. this can lead to gastrointestinal problems, stress on the liver and kidneys, pancreatitis, or other problems. the same can be true if your cat is stealing your dog’s food. Not to mention, cats require some nutrients such as taurine and arachidonic acid (a type of AT) that dogs do not require and therefore are not always controlled in dog food. in the long term, a cat eating dog food may experience nutrient deficiencies, while a dog eating cat food is more likely to experience problems associated with excess energy or nutrients.
Are any of your pets eating therapeutic food? Therapeutic foods are specially made for dogs or cats experiencing specific conditions that can be managed with nutrient levels (higher or lower) than those found in “normal” foods. special care must be taken to ensure that only the pet that needs this food eats it. if you discover that another pet in the household ate the food, call your veterinarian to discuss any possible reactions or concerns, as well as next steps to keep your pet healthy.
feed your pet food formulated for its species
Due to the unique biology of cats and dogs, 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 into account such things as life stage, health conditions, certain pet food allergies, breed size (for dogs), activity level, and a host of other factors before crafting a food that be suitable for a certain type of dog or cat.
This is important because all of these factors contribute to the overall health of your dog or cat. Think about it, you wouldn’t put the wrong kind of gas in your car, would you? so while you shouldn’t worry too much if they steal a kibble or two, you should discourage them from sharing food with each other when possible.
tips to discourage pet food sharing
Luckily, keeping your pets’ noses out of each other’s bowls is possible with a little planning and farsightedness. the cummings veterinary medical center at tufts university explains that you can keep your pets focused on their own meals by following these tips:
- Separate your pets during meals. This could mean your cat is fed in the kitchen while your puppy eats in the living room. the physical distance between pets encourages them to eat their own food, in peace.
- Try using automatic feeders. These can be placed in the area of the house dedicated to each pet. if their spots are not accessible to other pets, they can become the perfect feeding grounds to ensure there is no food sharing. just remember to keep your cat’s food away from his litter box; many cats are picky eaters and don’t want to eat where they poop. would you?
- stagger your feeding times. If space is limited, feed one pet at a time, then pick up his bowl when he’s finished eating. monitor feeding time to make sure no other pets come up to get food out of the bowl. this may require a little extra attention, but is easier than caring for a sick pet.
- make a cat food box. If your main concern is the dog getting into the cat’s food, try using a covered litter tray (without the litter) as a feeding station . the dog cannot enter the enclosure and your cat will feel safe while he eats his kibble. win-win!
- Training: The best method of keeping your cat and dog off each other’s food is to train them both. Discourage them from approaching their brother’s plate with words like “no!” and reward them for being good by placing treats on their respective plate. it is important to watch them during feeding time from the beginning to help them learn this behavior.
If you’re still having trouble feeding your pets separately, seek guidance from a pet trainer who can help you modify your pets’ behaviors. or tell your vet that your dog ate cat food (or your cat ate dog food); they may be able to share some eating tips to curb these habits.
cat food is for cats. dog food is for dogs. it is best to feed them their respective food to ensure they get the proper nutrition they need and deserve. A random trade of treats or vacuuming a stray kibble off the floor won’t harm your pet, but it’s not a good idea to offer a large bowl of food every day and assume that all your pets are being fed in the ways you would expect. their bodies need. If you’re not sure what types of foods would be ideal for your pets, talk to your veterinarian about your pets’ current health conditions, ages, and nutrient needs. after all, your pets deserve the best.
