Do you think it is ok to give my dog, the cats food?

Question

Just the usual in my house, something runs out and they do not let someone know or write on the list. Today upon the morning rush, go to feed dog and not one kibble or bit in the dog food bin. Until I can get dog food later today, either he gets the cats food or nothing till later. Thanks

Answer 1

Lots of different opinions here it seems.
The questions is whether or not the food will sustain him untill you can get dog food, then the answer is yes. I personally try to ensure my dog nevr msises a meal, because dogs stomachs are always creating acid (bile), and when there is nothing to break down, they have to throw up the acid. This can happen after missing even just one meal. 1 feeding of cat food is not going to forever harm your dog unless he's shown in the past to be allergic to something within the cat food.

My recommendation would be to actually boil some rice if you have any, and feed the dog that instead. Even better to boil in chicken broth if you have any. You'll notice that his evening poo will be harder, as rice does harden the stool, but its probably the healthiest thing to give him in a pinch, and probably something you'll have in the cupboard.
Serving size depends on the dog, my 40 lb retreiver will eat 1/2 cup boiled rice.

Answer 2

It won't hurt your dog to have a cat meal once in a while. You're dog would be happy to get his breakfast out of the cats litter box too probably ;-)

People didn't buy special food for pets until after WWII. Before the Second World War most people fed their pets on table scraps or bought cheap meat from the butcher. Although there were people experimenting with pre-made pet food as early at the 1860s.

Pet food manufacturers spend a lot of money advertising why their products are so wonderful. It is good for your dog to have a well rounded diet. But a well rounded dog-diet doesn't have to include commercial dog food.

Answer 3

It is not going to hurt your dog to eat cat food every once in awhile, but to get proper nutrition she should be eating dog food. Dogs tend to prefer cat food because the smell is more potent (cats are pickier eaters than dogs in general). I would put the cat's food up high, somewhere where only the cat can reach it. If she doesn't like her dog food you could consider switching brands. (esp. if you use the cheap dog food from a grocery store or something) Look at the ingredients list. Make sure the first ingredient is a type of meat. You can also mix some canned food in with it to make it tastier.

Answer 4

We have a dog and 4 cats, Our dog is always eating cat food, and the cats are eating dog food. but cat food is not good for dogs, as it gives them kidney problems. (we have separated the cats and the dog now) give him something like a piece of chicken or some left overs.
hope this helps.

Answer 5

I used to have dogs and a cat. I asked my vet that question and he said it was OK to give cat food to a dog, but NOT dog food to the cat.

Answer 6

cats need alot more protein than dogs do. if you are constantly feeding a dog cats food it can lead to the dog being overweight and heaving major muscle issues. id recomend not using it, dog food is made for the dogs body, cats food is made for cats. would you feed rabbit food to a dog? just avoid it

Answer 7

Then nothing as cat food is bad for dogs.

Answer 8

In a pinch, there's nothing wrong with giving your pooch the kitty's food, but don't make a habit of it. Kitty food isn't nutritionally balanced for the pooch. Kitty's are carnivores, and Dogs are omnivores, so the pooch wouldn't be getting exactly what he needs.

That being said, the pooch isn't going to starve to death if she misses a meal. But, if you have to feed her something, kitty food is better than people food.

Answer 9

my dog eats the cats food, fish food and the ferret & rabbits food. And out of the trash so I say why not let her eat whatever she wants the vet says she is healthy. I just wish she would eat the frogs food, the crickets keep escaping & I hate touching them ewww.

Answer 10

My vet told me that it is okay to for a dog to eat cat food, but it is not okay for a cat to eat dog food.