What would happen if you gave cat food to dogs or dog food to cats?
2006-07-11 14:00:51 · 20 answers · asked by jhseekings 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Nothing if it is only occasionally, but in the long run it will cause medical problems from dietary imbalances.
2006-07-24 04:54:57 · answer #1 · answered by iceni 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cat food is much higher in protein than dog food is so it is very upsetting to a dogs system to have it. Since I have both cats and dogs I'm very careful about not letting each get into the others food.
2006-07-11 21:05:03 · answer #2 · answered by genaddt 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only real difference is that cats need more protein and a certain mineral called tuerine. It is a vitamin they can't make in their bodies. A dog can live on cat food, but a cat on dog food will develop blindness due to a tuerine deficiancy.
2006-07-11 21:31:19 · answer #3 · answered by clmcanine 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats should eat cat food and dogs should eat dog food, period. Cats require a higher protein intake than dogs do. By eating dog food regularly, the cat will develop a protein deficiancy which can lead to serious health problems.
Dogs do not need as much protein in their diet. By eating cat food, the dog then will receive too much protein and will then face problems like bladder stones, urinary obstructions, fatty liver, ect.
Now, if your dog or cat happened to steal some food out of the other's bowl, there is no need to worry.It's only very harmful if they are eating it as their staple diet.
2006-07-11 21:12:21 · answer #4 · answered by badgirl41 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All I know it will soon kill the dog if given cat food instead of dog food. Feed only dog food to dogs and a good quality food.
2006-07-11 21:03:58 · answer #5 · answered by mustanglady 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Neither of them would get the right nutritional values they need. Besides cats usually dont like dog food, its the dog that eats the cat food.
2006-07-11 21:03:53 · answer #6 · answered by cassandra_werth 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cat food usually upsets the dogs stomach. Dog food has never bothered my cat.
2006-07-11 21:02:37 · answer #7 · answered by dolphin2253 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can give cat food to dogs without too much of a problem, but not dog food to cats. Cats have far more specific dietary requirements, so feeding them dog food (long-term) would cause their health to suffer.
2006-07-11 21:08:17 · answer #8 · answered by dreamerdrag0n 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there is to much salt in cat food for a dog and dog food is ok for a cat to eat
2006-07-12 09:46:54 · answer #9 · answered by coche 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cat food would make the dogs gain weight like crazy, because it has a ton more protein and junk in it.
2006-07-11 21:03:59 · answer #10 · answered by Dusty Shades 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would not hurt them short term, but would not be good over a period of time. A dog and a cat have different nutritional requirements.
2006-07-11 21:05:10 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋