I have a Lhasa Apsos, shes 8 years old now. Ever since i got her she wont eat dog food. No matter how many brands i try she wont eat it, instead she sneaks downstairs and eats my cats food. Im a bit concerned because i dont know if this is healthy or not? If its ok , can i buy her cat food instead? I dont want to feed her too many table scraps because then shell get into the habit of begging everytime i make something. Can someone give me some honest advice? Thanks.
2006-08-16 02:16:13 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Nope, not healthy at all, and since she is older you really have to watch what you feed her. Cat food is made for cats and dog food is made for dogs...
"Ever since i got her she wont eat dog food"
So what HAS she been eating???....I hope it hasnt been cat food all these years??
I would suggest getting her a better dog food maybe...or feeding her RAW....if you dont know what that is there are many websites that can explain....
Anyway, please preven her from eating cat food
2006-08-16 02:23:54 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Cat food has way too much protein for dogs and over time will cause kidney problems. I would strongly suggest you put the cat food where the dog can't get to it. Our pets need quality pet food. Read the ingredients list and learn what the stuff on there is and what it does (or does not do) to/for our pets. A quick pet food 101. If the pet food contains corn/corn products or by products it is a poor quality food. Do not pay attention to advertising, they all say there food is great. Corn is a filler that can trigger skin problems. (allergies, skin problems, itching and excessive shedding) By products is anything from an animal not fit for human consumption, including cancerous tissue. Quality foods have meat as the first ingredient. California Natural, Solid Gold, Innova and Merrick are a few of the best brands available. If you want to learn more check out: http://www.sagekeep.com/petfood.htm www.api4animals.org/facts?p=359&more=1 http://animalark.eapps.com/animal/PetFoods.nsf/$$PetFoodsByRating?OpenForm
2006-08-16 09:54:52 · answer #2 · answered by Stick to Pet Rocks 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If your dog has been eating cat food for 8 years, I can't see it being a problem, I asked my vet once, same question. The only thing you should do is buy some calcium powder from your produce store and mix a little in with the dogs food.
2006-08-16 09:29:33 · answer #3 · answered by lyndell v 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not really healthy. My chihuahua was the same way. Try putting the cat food on a counter or somewhere the dog can't get at it, but the cat can jump up to. Don't feed the dog anything but dogfood. She won't starve herself. She'll eat it if she's hungry enough.
2006-08-16 09:40:15 · answer #4 · answered by twiggityT 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cat food is special for cats
It is important to remember that a cat eats like a cat and not like a dog. Cats are unique, and have unique needs. They require almost too much protein (don't forget that too much protein is bad for dogs, so don't let them eat the cat food) and their food is processed that way. Killing and eating mice etc., in the wild provides just about everything a cat needs, but for house cats and those that don't find their own food, the store bought food has most of the ingredients they need to stay healthy.
Dry, moist, gourmet or canned?
Actually it's best to have all of them available. Some gourmet foods are not very nutritional but cats like them, so give them as a "treat" type food. All of the others provide most of the ingredients that a cat needs. The standard canned cat food is the best for nutrients, and the dry food helps keep their teeth and gums in good shape.
Water and milk
It's not important for cats to have milk(unless of course they're kittens -and then they need mother's milk). It's more important to have non-chlorinated water available at all times. Cats don't like the chlorinating in water, but water is necessary for them. You may have to buy bottled water if your water has chlorine. Milk won't hurt them if they like it, but not all cats like it.
Kittens
Kittens require their mother's milk. There is no substitute for the nutrition provided in a kittens mother's milk and it's basically all they require in the beginning.
2006-08-16 09:54:28 · answer #5 · answered by hinsdalesprit 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's not. Cat food is too rich for dogs digestive systems. I would put the cat food somewhere your dog couldn't get to it. have you tried putting a little water on the dog food so it makes a bit of a gravy? Also you can mix a little plain scrambled egg in her food. Constantly changing her food too will upset her stomach so I would just pick one and stick with it. She will eat it when she gets hungry enough. I would talk to you're vet though just incase.
2006-08-16 09:24:56 · answer #6 · answered by PaganPoetess 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is not actually healthy for the dog to eat cat food or vice versa. Cat food contains Taurine which is a necessity for a cats health, but does not properly process in a dogs sysyem. Better to keep each on their own food.
2006-08-16 09:41:26 · answer #7 · answered by CounselorKC 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to put the cat food where your dog can't reach it. Cat food can give dogs the sh*ts. It is also made for cats, so there is not everything in the food that your dog needs. If my dogs can get ahold of cat food they would eat it too.
2006-08-16 09:43:37 · answer #8 · answered by sarah 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't see that it would be a problem. Is the cat food in a can or dry if it is can. The dog may eat can dog food. He or she may just not like dry food.
2006-08-16 09:23:10 · answer #9 · answered by HastyBabe 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No way. Cats need different nutrients than dogs and vice versa. I wouldnt advise it...your dog wont be healthy at all.
2006-08-16 09:30:38 · answer #10 · answered by Charlotte 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋