Is dry cat food bad for dogs?

Question

My dog keeps eating dry cat food and my husband heard it maybe bad for her.

Answer 1

yes but my dog sometimes eats it and she doesn't get sick

Answer 2

There are all different qualities of dry food so that is one issue. A higher quality is preferrered (no corn, wheat, or by-products.. named meat meal such as "chicken meal" should be first ingredient). I don't believe this is the case for dogs (yet) but for cats, experts are starting to see a link between a dry-food only diet and kidney issues. So for cats I would recommend giving at least some canned food every day. Canned food also tends to have more protein than dry food which is great for cats. Many cats just don't get enough water if they're left to drink it on their own.

Answer 3

Pet food companies spend a lot more money on cat food to make it taste better, since cats are typically a lot finickier with their food than dogs. Which is why the dog eats the cat food.

As for it being bad, you can't feed a dog a daily meal of cat food, no. Is it going to kill your dog? No. Will it make your dog fat and introduce unecessary calories to your dog's diet? Yes. In the end, it's the extra calories that are bad for your dog, not the cat food itself.

Answer 4

Dogs need to eat DOG food. Keep the cat food out of reach. You won't see the effects of this for years to come. If you continue to allow the dog to eat cat food you will see kidney and liver damage as she ages.

Try Natural Balance, Canidae,Wellness or Innova. Those are a few of the best dog foods out there. They provide all the essential nutrients that a dog needs. Read the ingredients and compare to cat food.

DOGS SHOULD NOT EAT CAT FOOD PERIOD.

Answer 5

I have a cat and two dogs. The cat eats the dog food and the dogs sneak in and eat the cat food. It's not their reagular diet, I think it's like a treat. They both eat their own foods and then they go eat each others. Won't hurt either one of them if it's not on a regular basis. All my animals are in perfect health.

Answer 6

It is not bad, but it contains nutrients specifically for cats. They will not hurt dogs, but not get utilized, either. So just put the catfood where the cats can reach and the dog can't. Cat food will not hurt, but Dog food is much better.

Answer 7

It won't necessarily cause her harm but it is not good for her cat food is designed with the vitamins and minerals etc. required for a cats optimum health not a dogs their nutritional needs are different and a steady diet of cat food will cause your dog to gain alot of weight, but don't worry every so often my dog gets into the cats dish and it doesn't bother her it really ticks the cats off though.

Answer 8

YES..... it is made for cats and will make your dog fat, my dog only ate atta cat and he got really fat, put the dog food down and put the cat food on the table when the cat is done. it works the same way with cats eatting dog food.

Answer 9

In a word, yes.

Cats are carnivores, meaning they do just fine on an all meat diet. Dogs need the carbs that catfood won't supply.

Answer 10

I have a chihuahua that loves dry cat food and it seems to make her shed ALOT more and it makes her breath smell really gross.

Answer 11

i don't think it will hurt. except maybe extra calories. i wouldn't feed the dog only that. it's not nutritionally designed for a dog. you don't even want to know the kinds of things my dog seeks out and eats.