my dogs eats cat food?

Question

You would think a 2-year-old lab would know the difference between high quality dog food verses cheap generic cat food. My dog won’t eat the dog food. And goes after my cats. I need tricks to get her to leave the cats food alone an eat her own. She was an abused stray when we took her in. 1 fry and she never left. She is even afraid of my declawed cat. Who ever had her before us treated her so bad she puts her tail between her legs and lowers her head down? She still acts that way even after being around good people and has been around us for almost a year

we have tried to keep her from it and she still gets to it. we have even switch from dry dog food only for her and can cat food for the cat and the dog still would rather attack the can of cat food instead.

Answer 1

are you sure you have a dog, not a cat? does the dog meow?

Answer 2

Cat food is really bad for dogs, so you definitly need to wean her off this habit. First, get rid of the canned food, the dog is gonna smell that a mile away no matter where you put it cuz it's yummy for them. Then put the cat's food in a high place like the fridge or a window sill. My favorite is one of those floor to ceiling cat perches, the cats love them and dogs cannot get on them, they're too awkward for them. Put one by a window and it will be the cat's new favorite spot, plus you can put his food on the top perch where the dog can't reach it. Also, leave your dog's food out ALL THE TIME. Unless she fat (which as a previous stray I'm assuming she is not) this is my favorite way cuz she can eat in her own time. Dogs as a general rule don't overeat, so you shouldn't have a problem with that. And cats don't like dog food at all so you won't have to worry about that.
As far as her being skittish because she was mistreated, there's nothing you can do about that. She will always be that way. But you can help her get better. I'm sure she's better now than she was when you first took her in. With skittish dogs, though, never yell, and never raise your hand toward them. This will terrify them and take away all the good you've accomplished. When she is bad just put your hands on your hips and speak very sternly and glare, this will get the point across, believe me. And remember to pet her afterwards so she knows its okay you still love her.

Answer 3

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 4

all dogs like catfood cheap or not. bad for the dog and dogfood bad for cats.I have 4 cats 2 dogs. I keep the cats food on a mat on top of the dryer where dogs cant get it or another high place. show the cats where the food is. your dog will probably always be skittish, just give all the love u can and special treats and a good brand of dog food. sounds like she was beaten and very terribly abused as these are some of the signs. DO NOT LET ANYONE hit her because the memories will come back and she will go 2 steps backwards. just be patient. she will probably always have a fear of scolding for fear of being beaten. LOVE is the answer

Answer 5

Cat food is not good for dogs so couldn't you find somewhere to put the cat food that's out of her reach.

You have no way of knowing what happened to this poor dog before you took her in. She may always be afraid, but witha lot of patience and love she'll trust you in time. The progress may be slow but the more you interact with her, don't be afraid of doing a little obedience with her (not at class, at home) and the praise she gets from you will go a long way to boosting her self confidence. You just have to make training fun, lots and lots of praise and keep sessions short and I'd think you'll see some difference in her.

Answer 6

You need to keep the cat food somewhere where the cat can get it, but not the dog. Cat food is dangerously unhealthy for dogs. I keep my cat food and litter in the basement at this house, and have a cat door for access. House came w/that, wish I thought of it at prior house. There, I blocked the basement with a pet gate that cats jump over, but my dogs, though jumped 5 ft fence, never jump. I also, had put cat food in a bedroom with pet gate up. My friend used to keep the cat food on top of the refrigerator, where the cat had to go to to feed, but I didn't want to encourage cats on the counter to jump up to that spot. My 2nd dog was an abused rescue-- took 4 yrs and agility to improve his fearful wetting, hiding in crate or under furniture, afraid of toys and afraid of authority telling him anything, and so much more. Agility has made him downright cocky these days---struts with pride! Good luck finding what makes your dog tick.

Answer 7

Bless your soul for rescuing that sweet dog. The world needs more people like you. Let me say this though. I have a year and a half old basset hound who loves eating cat food as well. I found that boiling boneless chicken breast, dicing it up, and mixing it with his food helps. You can slowly ween him off of the chicken breast. You can also use broiled hamburger. Don't fry it. The grease is bad for them. Most of the time this works. If it doesn't help then I would consult your vet. Adopting a rescue is never easy both my dog and cat are rescues. Your doing a wonderful thing for that dog and hopefully you can find a solution. I would try the chicken though. It worked for me!

Answer 8

Dogs tend to commit the same indiscretions over and over. Once they develop a taste for cat food they will go to great lengths to keep getting it. Feed them in places safe from canine thievery

Put Cat food high--Cat's can jump astonishing distances, feed the cat up high.

Use a food protector--feed cat in the utility room, behind a baby gate or in another enclosed are where the dog can not get to the food.

Answer 9

My dog use to eat our cats food all the time , Now she has diabetes from it .Its really bad for dogs its high in protein , try and put the cat food up high were the cat can get to it and the dog cant , good luck ,too late for my dog.

Answer 10

My dog also eats my cats food but the cat will also eat the dogs food The only way I can stop this is to put the cat and dog in different rooms until they are done eating

Answer 11

my dogs love cat food too but I keep the cat's bowl where the dogs can't get to it.

Some animals will never fully recover from being abused. We have a dog that was terrified of lighters, the sound of soda cans opening, fire and you could never grab him by the collar without first talking to him and moving very slowly. But...he is the gentlest dog I've ever met. He will take a tiny cookie out of a 2 yr old's mouth without even touching the child's lips with his own and has amazing patience with kids. Go figure.