Can dogs eat cat-food?

Question

My Dog sometimes finishes the cats dinner off, is this safe for him to do so?

Answer 1

Here is what you need to know about dog and cat food.

Generally you should NOT feed your dog any great amount of cat food because it contains a much higher level of protein and most dogs do not do too well on high protein diets. Cats are carnivores so their food contains a much higher protein content.

Now, things have changed a bit with recent research. Natura which produces the healthiest pet foods in the world (Innova, Karma, California Natural) have recently produced EVO which is a high protein, low carb diet. This food is geared towards extremely active dogs like sport, hunting or herding dogs. Again, many dogs do not do too well on this food because of the high protein and because they are not active enough to use the stored energy....it goes in one end and out the other and you are left with a nice mess!

By the sounds of it your dog is just eating a bit of cat food here and there which is fine. Just remember...if he's eating the cat food, cut back on the dog food you give him or you are going to have one overweight dog which can be very unhealthy.

As a pet nutrition consultant, I always strongly recommend that people be cautious of what brand of food they are feeding. Stay away from generic brands like Iams, Eukanuba, Science Diet, Purina, Pedigree, and so on. Almost 100% of foods you can buy at the vets or in grocery/department stores are extremely low grade. You can ONLY get high quality foods at a pet specialty store. I mentioned above Innova which is the highest quality food in the world but if you can't find that check out these as well: Canidae, Evolve, Wellness, Fromm, Merrick, and other brands that do not have fillers (corn, wheat, beet pulp, etc) or by products.

Good luck:)

Answer 2

I don't know about dog nutrition, but I do know about cat nutrition and your cat will not be healthy on dog food. It doesn't contain taurine which is essential to a cat. Aslo I'm sure it's full of grain, which is basically carbohydrates and your cat can develop diabetes and become fat. You need to be strict for their own sake and feed them high quality species appropriate diet. Feed them at the same time in different rooms. Take the food away after 30 minutes if they don't eat it and refrigerate it. Try again in a few hours. No animal will starve itself just out of being fussy about their food. The cat would be harder to adjust, but the dog will give in pretty fast. Pour some tuna juice over the cat's food, it should make it more appealing. You can try mixing it gradually, but you need to make a change or you are risking your pets' health in the long run. More about cat nutrition here:

Answer 3

Its not recommended that you deliberately feed you dog cat food as his regular meal, cat food is very high in nutrients and can put a strain on his kidneys long term. But, frankly, some dogs will eat the most revolting things they can find on the pavement; I don't thinka lick of cat food to clean the plate will hurt!
Phone your vet if you're unsure, and keep both your dog and cat wormed.

Answer 4

Well it won't kill him.

Cat food contains a lot more salt than is suitable for a dog, so don't let him do it too much. Plus when my dog ate a lot of cat food she got a little smelly out the other end...

Just warning! Don't go for extended trips in the car with your dog in the next few days!

Answer 5

There is a reason it's called cat food, and dog food...

Feed your cat up high, on the dryer, on a window sill..etc.. Keep that cat food out of his reach.. If is not good for them, first it has way to much protein and fat in it for a dog. To much protein can harm your dog.

And it will give your dog some nasty gas, and diarrhea..It really upsets their stomach and intestines..

Answer 6

It is safe for an occasional feast on catfood, but for a steady diet NO> If fed as a steady diet the catfood is too high in protein for a dog. It can cause kidney and liver and digestional problems.

Answer 7

yes. my dog eat cat -food

Answer 8

Yes but since cats and dogs have different nutritional needs, he'll benefit more from dog food.

Answer 9

Yes its safe, I don't know about the nutritional value. We put our cat's bowl up high so that only the cats can get to it, otherwise our poor cats would only have mice to eat.

Answer 10

Safe enough... cat food gives my dog runny BM's.