Can Dogs Eat Cat Food

---

Dogs find it difficult to resist something that smells good as cat food. If you have a cat and a dog at home, it is possible your dog might eat some cat food every now and then. However, the dietary needs of cats and dogs are different. While your dog is not going to be harmed if they sneak a bite or two of your cat’s food, you shouldn’t encourage them to eat cat food on the regular. Here is what you should know about dogs eating cat food.

Nutritional needs

Most dog owners think that dogs are carnivores. However, the truth is that dogs are omnivores, which means they eat meat, fruits, veggies, grain, etc. Cats are natural carnivores, which means they need to eat meat to survive. Cats are not omnivores, and their food has much more meat protein than dog food. Dogs can find cat food irresistible, but that doesn’t mean they should eat it.

What are the possible risks?

If your dog grabs a bite of cat food every now and then, there is probably nothing you should worry about. Still, if you feed your dog with cat food regularly, some complications and health issues can arise. Your dog will not get all the nutrients they need from their diet, and the protein-grain-fats-fiber balance will be completely wrong.

If it comes to extreme situations, dogs can survive a couple of days on cat food, but that should not be your standard practice. Feeding your dog with cat food can lead to serious health concerns, and the most serious ones are;

• Pancreatitis
• Obesity
• Gastrointestinal upset (diarrhea and vomiting)

These health issues can have serious implications. They will include fever, lethargy, abdominal pains, skeletal problems, overall weakness, etc. These are not issues that should be taken lightly, and unless your vet recommends it, you should only feed your dog with dog food.

If you are not sure what good dog food is, you can check this article for some suggestions - Best dry dog food.

Can cat food be good for dogs?

There are some cases when feeding your dog some cat food might even be advisable. Dogs experiencing weight loss, poor muscle tone, or are battling certain cancers can benefit from eating cat food. Due to its higher animal meat and protein content, it is more palatable. Dogs that need more protein can eat cat food occasionally, but only if they don’t have gastrointestinal issues after eating it.

Another case where cat food can be beneficial to dogs is if owners use it as a treat. Dog owners often give their dogs human foods like cheese, chicken, or other tasty things as a treat. In that case, giving your dog cat food might actually be better. Remember not to overfeed them on cat food, and treat it as you would treat giving them treats.

Here are some suggestions on how to pick the best possible dog treats for your dog - Best dog treats and how to pick them.

What should I do if my dog ate cat food?

Dogs eat cat food all the time, and if you have a household with multiple pets, you probably noticed that happening. Most of the time, when your dog eats a lot of cat food, they will only have mild diarrhea and possibly vomit. However, if you notice they are experiencing prolonged gastrointestinal issues, you should call your vet and make sure everything is alright with your dog.

If your dog happens to find their way into the cat’s bowl or breaks into the pouches or cans of cat food, you should probably consider moving your cat food storage. It would be best to make sure your dog cannot reach the cat food and keep the food securely locked away. Whenever you feed your dog something new, or if they eat something on their own, keep a close eye on them and make sure they don’t have a severe reaction.

If you want to give something more palatable and appetizing to your dog, check out this article for some suggestions - Best wet dog food.

Can cats eat dog food?

If you share your home with multiple pets, knowing which animal can eat what food is kind of important. Just as dogs cannot survive on cat food only, cats cannot survive on dog food. Dog food doesn’t contain enough taurine and vitamin A to provide cats with a proper diet.

Providing your pet with proper food is one of the most important things you should do. That is the basic thing they will need to be healthy and happy. If your pet is not eating what they are supposed to be eating, there is a great chance they will develop health issues and attract diseases that could have been prevented with proper dietary habits.

World Dog Finder team