Can cats eat dog food?
If you have both cats and dogs in your home, you may find that your cat steals the dog’s food or wet food. However, have you ever wondered if cats can eat dog food? Is dog food safe for cats? The short answer is yes; cats can eat dog food in small quantities for a short time, and it will not be safe for your cat.
However, if we delve deeper into the question of “can cats eat dog food,” we need to start with the differences between felines and canines, which are complex. Although a small amount for a short period of time will not harm your cat, if your cat steals dog food for a long time, it will seriously affect your cat’s health.
As pet owners, we need to be aware of our cat’s nutritional needs, whether it’s a cat that’s curious about the dog’s food bowl of grain or you’re running out of time and cat food. Hsviko has looked up the information and consulted with vets to put together a list of whether or not cats are able to eat dog food and how it can affect your cat.
Is it safe for cats to eat dog food?
Can cats have dog food? Is dog food bad for cats? Dog food is non-toxic, and cats can eat occasional dog food, wet dog food, and canned food in moderation, just as cats can eat occasional fresh “snacks,” but dog food cannot be part of a cat’s daily diet. Because cats and dogs are different animals in the animal kingdom, they have different body compositions and nutritional needs.
Cats are natural hunters and obligate carnivores, which means their cat food must contain ingredients of animal origin. Cats’ diets need to contain high levels of protein, moderate amounts of fat, vitamins, minerals, taurine, and carbohydrates, among other nutrients.
Dogs, on the other hand, are omnivores, and they can get their nutrients from both plants and animals. Dog food usually gets its nutrients from plants and animals and tends to be lower in protein than cat food.
However, cats and dogs are two different species that have different nutritional needs. Dog food does not meet the nutritional needs of cats, and keeping cats on dog food for a long period of time can have an impact on their safety, and in some serious cases, it can even be harmful to kill them.
Differences between cat food and dog food
Cat food and dog food are pet foods designed for cats and dogs, and the differences between them are mainly in a number of areas, including nutritional content, shape and size, taste, and formulation. Nutrition experts have studied the body structure and nutritional needs of cats and dogs very well, which is why the formulas of different brands of cat food and dog food on the market are always different. Below are some of the main differences between cat food and dog food:
Protein content
Cats are carnivores and their dietary needs are predominantly high in protein and fat to satisfy their fast metabolism and active lifestyle. Cat food contains high levels of animal protein as well as essential amino acids such as taurine, which are necessary for healthy growth.
Although dogs are omnivores, their dietary needs also favour meat, although they are better able to digest plant-based ingredients compared to cats. The proportions of protein, fat, and carbohydrates in dog food differ from cat food to meet the physiological needs of dogs.
Cats are strict carnivores and have a very high protein requirement, especially for certain specific amino acids (e.g., taurine, arginine) that far exceed those of dogs. For this reason, cat food usually contains a high amount of protein to meet the unique nutritional needs of cats.
Taurine
Because cats’ bodies lack the enzyme that makes protein, it is essential that their diets contain taurine. If a cat is deficient in taurine, it can lead to very serious health problems (blindness or heart disease). Taurine supplements for cats
Fatty acids
Cats also need a certain amount of arachidonic acid (ARA), an essential fatty acid, which dogs synthesise partly on their own, so it may not be added to dog food or in smaller amounts.
Dogs are a different story. The dog’s body is able to synthesise taurine, which is not always added to dog food. As a result, feeding cats dog food on a daily basis can lead to taurine deficiencies, which can have a serious impact on your cat’s vision and heart health.
Vitamin A
Cats cannot convert from beta-carotene to vitamin A as efficiently as dogs, so cat food is directly fortified with easily absorbed vitamin A. Vitamin A plays an important role in maintaining healthy eyes, skin and coat in cats. Cat food usually contains more vitamin A than dog food. Multivitamin Tablets For Cats
Arachidonic acid
Arachidonic acid is an essential fatty acid that cannot be efficiently synthesised from linoleic acid (another essential fatty acid) in cats. Arachidonic acid plays an important role in the physiological functions of cats, especially for skin health, coat lustre, kidney function and the normal functioning of the immune system. Cats are unable to produce it on their own. Therefore, it needs to be provided by food.
Unlike cats, dogs, although also carnivorous, have some ability to synthesise arachidonic acid in their bodies, meaning that dogs do not rely as strictly on arachidonic acid supplied directly from food as cats do. Therefore, it is not necessary to place special emphasis on the addition of arachidonic acid in the production of dog food. As long as an adequate supply of linoleic acid is ensured in the dog food, the dog will be able to synthesise enough arachidonic acid through its own metabolic pathway to meet its physiological needs.
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Niacin
Cats cannot synthesise enough niacin from certain amino acids (e.g., tryptophan) as efficiently as dogs. For this reason, cat foods are often fortified with additional amounts of niacin to ensure that the minimum nutritional requirements of cats are met. According to the standards of the National Research Council (NRC) and other relevant organisations, the minimum requirement for niacin in cat food is around 40mg per kg of cat food.
Although dogs also need niacin, they are able to synthesise a certain amount of niacin using tryptophan in their food, so the requirement for niacin in dog food is relatively low. Nonetheless, dog food manufacturers still formulate their food to ensure that the level of niacin is sufficient to meet a dog’s daily nutritional requirements.
Calories
Cats typically have a higher metabolic rate relative to body weight than dogs, and even at rest, cats need to expend more energy to maintain basic life activities. Therefore, the protein content of cat food is usually higher than that of dog food, and protein is a high calorie nutrient, so the total calorie content of cat food is correspondingly higher.
In order to meet the high energy requirements and special nutritional needs of cats, cat food will focus on providing high protein and high calorie formulas in its design, while dog food will adjust the nutritional ratios and calorie distribution according to the omnivorous nature of dogs and the life habits, age and weight of different breeds.
This is one of the reasons why long-term consumption of dog food for cats can have an impact on cat safety, and dog food cannot provide enough calories for cat growth.
Taste and shape
Cat food is usually smaller and easier for cats’ small mouths to chew and digest, while dog food pellets can vary in size and texture depending on the size of the dog. Cat food often has a fishy smell to appeal to cats, while dog food has a more varied flavour profile, including meat and other flavours.
Adaptation of the digestive system
Cats have shorter intestinal tracts and are less able to digest carbohydrates and plant fibres, so cat food has a low proportion of these ingredients, while dog food contains some vegetables and grains to accommodate the omnivorous nature of dogs.
Flavour
Cats have fewer taste buds than dogs, and studies have shown that cats have about 470 to 500 taste buds, while dogs have between 1,700 and 2,000. The cat’s palate is biased towards sensitivity to meat and high-protein foods, with a high reliance on the amino and fatty acids found in meat. In addition, cats are not sensitive to sweetness because they lack taste buds that detect sweetness, whereas dogs recognise it.
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Why does my cat like dog food?
Because cats have a smaller number of taste buds, they may rely more on the smell and texture of the food to determine if it is palatable. For this reason, cat food is often enhanced with aromas to appeal to the cat’s sense of smell, rather than relying solely on flavour. Cats usually don’t like dog food, whereas dogs really like strong-flavoured cat food.
If you have one or more dogs in the house and the cat sees the dog enjoying the dog food, the cat may try the dog food out of curiosity to mimic the dog’s behaviour.
Sometimes cats may simply be interested in the bowl or container that holds the dog food, or they may be used to the eating activity in that place or at that time of day.
Can I feed my cat dog food?
Can cats eat dog food for a couple days? It is OK to feed your cat dog food in small amounts for a short time if you run out of cat food temporarily, but keep the following in mind:
Short-term emergency: if it’s just a temporary replacement for one or two meals, dog food won’t immediately cause major harm to your cat. However, this is not a long-term solution, as dog food cannot meet all the nutritional needs of cats.
Control the amount: Give only a small amount of dog food if possible to ensure that the cat still has the opportunity to return to its normal diet, i.e. specialised cat food, as soon as possible.
Monitor the cat’s reaction: pay attention to the cat’s reaction after consuming dog food, including digestion, mental state, appetite, etc. If there is any abnormality, stop feeding the dog food immediately and contact your veterinarian.
Avoid long-term substitution: try to avoid letting your cat form the habit of consuming dog food, as long-term consumption of dog food will lead to malnutrition, affecting health and even endangering life.
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What happens when cats eat dog food for a long time?
Long-term consumption of dog food by cats will lead to a series of health problems, such as nutritional deficiencies, developmental disorders, and physiological disorders, and even threaten the cat’s life in serious cases.
Health problems: dog food lacks essential amino acids (oxalic acid, arginine, niacin , vitamin A, etc.) required by cats, and cats consuming dog food for a long period of time will suffer from a lack of essential nutrients. Cats consuming dog food for a long period of time may suffer from a series of health problems, such as vision loss, heart disease, muscle atrophy, and weakened immune system function.
Nutritional deficiencies: Cats have a more demanding need for protein than dogs, and the protein content of cat food is usually much higher than that of dog food. The ratio of protein and fat in dog food cannot meet the daily needs of cats. Long-term consumption of dog food can lead to malnutrition in cats, affecting their muscle development, immune system, and overall health.
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Affects growth and development: the amount of vitamin A and arachidonic acid in dog food is usually not enough to meet your cat’s needs. Cats that consume dog food for a long period of time may develop a deficiency of vitamin A and arachidonic acid.
Vitamin A deficiency will seriously affect your cat’s vision, skin, and mucous membrane health.
Arachidonic acid deficiency will affect your cat’s skin and coat health, as well as reproduction and growth.
Obesity: dog food is relatively high in carbohydrates, and a cat’s digestive system is not well suited to handle large amounts of carbohydrates, which may lead to obesity, pancreatitis, and other health problems in cats in the long term.
As responsible pet owners, we must ensure that our cats’ diet meets their physiological needs by providing them with nutritionally balanced cat food designed for cats. At the same time, we must take measures to prevent cats from eating dog food indiscriminately, such as individual feeding and regular dosing, to ensure that each pet enjoys the right food for its own physical needs, thus maintaining the health and well-being of pets.
How do you stop a cat from eating dog food?
For multi-pet households where dogs and cats co-exist, it is important to manage their respective diets properly. Sometimes, we encounter situations where cats develop a keen interest in dog food, however, long-term consumption of dog food is not conducive to the health of cats. It is not healthy for cats to steal or consume dog food over a long period of time. Below are some ways to discourage cats from consuming dog food.
Setting up a separate feeding area: keeping cats away from dog food
Place cat food and dog food in separate areas to ensure that your cat cannot easily access the dog food. This can be done by using a tall pet bowl stand so that the cat can’t reach the dog food, or by placing the dog food in a closed pet feeder at feeding time and only switching it on when the dog is near.
Timed and rationed feeding
Feeding at regular intervals will help reduce your pet’s food cravings and reduce the chance of your cat stealing dog food. Stagger the feeding times of cat food and dog food to ensure that the dog is enjoying his exclusive meal while the cat is enjoying his own.
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Feed quality cat food
Choose a tasty cat food that your cat will enjoy so they don’t covet the dog food too much. hsviko’s cat food is nutritionally balanced and palatable, and meets all of your cat’s nutritional needs while still being extremely palatable.
Training and Rewards
Simple training will teach your cat not to touch the dog food. Whenever the cat tries to approach the dog food, use a gentle voice to remind it and give it appropriate rewards after it leaves the dog food to gradually cultivate the cat’s habit of staying away from the dog food.
Supervision and Intervention
When your pet is eating, especially when a new feeding system is initially implemented, you need to closely monitor your cat’s behaviour and guide it back to its food bowl as soon as you find it trying to eat dog food.
Reasonable arrangement of pet interaction time
Try to avoid letting your cat enter the same room during your dog’s feeding time to reduce the chance of your cat taking the opportunity to steal dog food. During non-feeding hours, you can let them live together harmoniously in the same space to enhance their relationship.
FAQ
Can cats eat dog food for a few days?
A cat may not be in acute danger from eating a little dog food occasionally for a short period of time (1-2 days), but prolonged or large amounts of dog food are extremely detrimental to a cat’s health, and can lead to nutritional deficiencies, digestive upsets, and even long-term health problems.
Can cats and dogs eat the same food?
No, they can’t. The nutritional needs of cats and dogs differ greatly; cats are specialised carnivores and require specific amino acids (such as taurine) and other nutrients, while dog food usually does not provide enough of these nutrients. Prolonged exposure of cats to dog food can lead to malnutrition and health problems.
Can dog food kill cats?
Dog food itself does not usually kill cats directly, but when used as the sole food source for a long period of time, it does pose a threat to the life and health of cats due to nutritional imbalance, leading to a variety of health problems and thus indirectly endangering their lives. Short-term, small amounts of accidental ingestion are usually not fatal, but it is strongly recommended to avoid letting your cat consume dog food for a long period of time.
Reference:
Can Cats Eat Dog Food? What You Need To Know | Dutch
Can Cats Eat Dog Food? – PetMD
Can Cats Eat Dog Food? Read Before You Feed – Purina
Can cats eat dog food? Explaining your feline pet’s dietary needs. – USA today
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