I just found out my mom's been feeding my dog Meow Mix for the past while. i heard once you shouldn't do things like this, but forgot why. She claims that the dog won't eat anything else. Should we find something she likes?
2006-12-09 13:23:19 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Cat Food has too much protein and would be hard on their kidneys. I give mine a few kibbles for a snack, but I feed them primarily on dog food.
If your dog is small, try getting a small breed specific food-with smaller kibbles.
FYI Cat food passes through the cat's gut much faster than dog food, so it has to be higher protein. That's why dogs like cat "tootsie rolls" so much....it's still got a lot of food value.
2006-12-09 13:26:54 · answer #1 · answered by hoodoowoman 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Peopel have already answered with the answer about protein. However a dog eating cat food is no real issue. A working dog can survive on it. A cat however can't thrive on all but the best of dog foods. Even then there are ingredients missing that are essential for cats.
Keep in mind "pet food" has only been around since the 1960's. What do you think they ate before then?
2006-12-09 22:39:53 · answer #2 · answered by adopt_koli 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The foods have different levels of vitamins/proteins etc. But I once had a vet put my dog on canned cat food for a while when she was grieving the loss of her other canine companion and wouldn't eat anything.
It won't hurt the dog; but she isn't getting the proper amount of nutrition she should be getting and her protein intake is probably WAYYYYY too high since cat food has higher amounts of protein than dog food.
2006-12-09 21:27:16 · answer #3 · answered by Melissa B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they say that you shouldnt because it can make them sick and can make them have the poops.however if people have both cats and dogs the dog will eat the cat food and the cat will eat the dog food and never have any problems..but as far as feeding your dog cat food all the time it may not be a good thing...contact a vet and they can let you know.
2006-12-09 21:28:27 · answer #4 · answered by noseyroseysillywillie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hmmm I don't know why it's bad for them. They say it's OK for a cat to eat dog food, but not OK for a dog to eat cat food. Wierd. I think it's cuz cat food has too much protien. (Well, that's what I've heard) Try feeding your dog canned wet dog food. I've never seen a dog turn down that stuff... They just like it better than dry. Atleast my dogs do...
2006-12-09 21:28:18 · answer #5 · answered by Ch33kS_x00x 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Too much protein is hard on a dogs kidneys. I'd try Chicken Soup for The Dog Lover's Soul dog food. It smells delicious (yes it really does!) and our dogs gobble it up.
2006-12-09 21:26:09 · answer #6 · answered by Rescue Wench 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The gastric distress (ie: farting) should tell you something is not right with digestion of cat food. My dogs will occasionally "sneak" a little out of the cat bowl- and the smell from their rear is atrocious!!!!
All of that beside the fact that it is not nutritionally good for them.
2006-12-09 21:29:48 · answer #7 · answered by rottymom02 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my in-laws have a small dog and the vet put him on cat food because of tummy troubles. Best to check with your vet.
2006-12-09 22:17:33 · answer #8 · answered by lucysmom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
way too much protein, dogs cant digest it well, it can make them very sick, gain or lose a lot of weight, etc..... thats why it's "cat" food & "dog" food, different species, different nutritional needs, stick to what is designed for your pet (or your moms, whatever)
2006-12-10 01:20:40 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A DOG eats DOG FOOD, and a CAT eats CAT FOOD.........can you tell the difference the DOG goes WOOF! (or GRRR!), and the CAT goes MEOW!(or HISS!)
Also CAT FOOD is fish, DOGS do NOT eat FISH they eat BEAF or CHICKEN
2006-12-09 21:38:18 · answer #10 · answered by Diva 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋