When dogs and cats live under one roof, eating each other’s food is not unusual. However, pawrents need to prevent their furry pals from forming this habit. Continue reading to learn why dogs and cats sharing each other’s food is a bad idea.
The Reason Behind Some Dogs’ Affinity for Cat Food
There are many differences between cat and dog food. The biggest one is their taste.
Cats are known for being fussy eaters. Unlike dogs that have 1,700 taste buds, cats only possess 470. To entice felines to eat, cat food was formulated to be flavourful.
Dogs also cannot resist its aroma and taste. For this reason, they have no trouble wolfing down cat food.
Dog Food Is Less Favoured by Cats
Cats are more likely to eat dog food if it is the wet variety because of its high protein content.
You may also like: Best Dog Food Ingredients
4 Reasons Why Cats and Dogs Should Not Eat Each Other’s Food
Many cat and dog owners observed that their pooches and kitties often share food. Hence, questions such as “Can dogs eat cat food?” or “Can cats eat dog food?” arise.Let us look into the explanations why the answer to both questions is no.
1. Cats and Dogs Have Different Calorie Requirements.
Why is dog food bad for cats? Dogs and cats have different caloric needs. On average, a medium-size dog weighing 13.6 kilos (30 pounds) needs about 800 calories per day. In comparison, an average cat requires around 300 calories per day.
For example, if a cat eats grain-free dog food that is meant for a large dog, she will be more susceptible to abnormal weight gain. If left unchecked, it can lead to obesity and diabetes.
2. Cats and Dogs Do Not Have the Same Nutritional Requirements.
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they must eat meat. In contrast, dogs are omnivores, thus their body requires them to eat a mix of meats and vegetables. Due to these differences, cat and dog nutrition are distinct from each other.
Felines require more protein, vitamin A, and taurine in their diets, whilst dogs must have protein and fibre to stay healthy.
Various health issues may arise as a result of nutritional imbalance if they are fed the wrong pet food.
For instance, frequent consumption of dog food can lead cats to suffer from taurine deficiency. They are also in danger of developing certain nutritional deficiencies such as a lack of vitamin A and arachidonic acid.
Dog food has inadequate levels of these nutrients because they are not primarily needed by canines.
3. Cat Food Is Higher in Fat and Protein.
So why is cat food bad for dogs? Cat food is formulated to be high in protein and fat contents, which is not suitable for dogs to eat because they cannot digest fat properly.
Now you might be asking yourself: “What happens if my dog eats cat food daily?” A dog eating cat food regularly runs the risk of unhealthy weight gain and experiencing obesity.
Gastrointestinal diseases, including life-threatening pancreatitis, are also possible negative effects that may arise if you feed cat food to dogs.
4. Cat Food Contains High Protein Levels.
Another reason why feeding cat food to your dog is a bad idea is its high protein content. Dogs fed regularly on cat food are at risk of liver and kidney damage.
Excessive protein intake triggers the release of urea, which forces the kidneys to work doubly hard. Other health problems resulting from excessive protein are hypokalaemia (excess potassium), acidosis, and blood toxicity.
You May Also Like:
Can Cats Eat Dog Food Temporarily?
Yes, cats can eat dog food temporarily. Feeding a cat dog food serves as a short-term solution if a cat’s food has run out. This also applies to dogs when it comes to consuming cat food.
However, always consider looking for healthier food substitutes first. As you continue reading, we will discuss alternative food your cats and dogs can eat.
What Are Suitable Emergency Food Options for Cats and Dogs?
- Fresh human-grade raw meat
- Small amounts of unspiced deli meats
- Plainly cooked lean meat
When preparing the meat, make sure to remove any fatty parts. The liver is rich in vitamin A, but do not overfeed it to your cat as it can lead to vitamin A toxicity.
Avoid processed meats like bacon and ham as they are high in salt and can damage your pet’s kidneys. Food leftovers are a no-no since they often contain harmful ingredients such as onion, garlic, and alcohol.
Be careful when feeding your dog and cat bones. Make sure that these are raw because cooked bones can easily break into splinters when chewed. These can cause mouth injuries, choking, and stomach blockage.
Once you can buy your pets’ regular food, slowly switch them back to their former complete and balanced diet to prevent malnutrition, weight loss, or obesity.
Sudden food transition must be avoided as cats and dogs have sensitive stomachs and may suffer from gastrointestinal upset.
You may also like: Which Human Food Can Cats Eat?
How Do I Stop the Dog from Eating the Cat’s Food?
Keep your cat’s food out of your dog’s reach by placing the food bowl in elevated places. A sturdy and stable bookshelf or a high-level cat feeding station are good alternatives.
Consider using a creep feeder for your cat. This type of feeder has a small hole that allows cats to gain access to their food. The hole is too small for dogs, so they will not be able to eat from it.
How to Stop Cats from Eating Dog Food
Set a time limit on their meals too. Remove your dog’s and cat’s bowls after 15–20 minutes. This prevents them from sneaking a taste of each other’s food.
FAQs About Can Dogs Eat Cat Food
1. Can I Mix Cat Food With Dog Food?
You can mix cat food with dog food. However, as stated above, this should be done only when no other options are available. As much as possible, it is best to stick with feeding regular pet food that is fit for their life stage to your furry friends.
2. Can Cats Eat Wet Dog Food?
Cats can eat wet dog food, but feeding it to them should be a last resort. Wet food cannot be a part of their long-term diet as it can cause a deficiency of amino acids and essential fatty acids.
It is important to get your cat back to her normal diet as soon as possible after she is fed wet dog food.
3. Can Dogs Eat Cat Treats?
Dogs can eat cat treats, but it is not recommended. Cat treats are not formulated for them; thus, they greatly lack certain essential nutrients that are beneficial for their health.
4. Can Cats Eat Dog Treats?
Cats should not be allowed to eat dog treats. Some brands use propylene glycol as an ingredient in their dog treats, which is toxic to felines.
Conclusion
Avoid free-feeding your cat as this makes it harder to keep your pooch from eating cat food. The exposed meal can be too tempting for him to ignore.If your dog has already developed a habit of eating your cat’s meal, correct this behaviour. You can, for example, spray water on him and utter a command as soon as you see him nibbling food from the cat’s bowl.
Do not discipline him if you have not caught him in the act so that he makes the proper association.
