How can I get my dog to stop eating my cat's food?

Question

I don't really have a good high up place to put the food and my apartment is pretty small.

Answer 1

If you just leave it out all day try feeding your cat at the same time as your dog. Thats what I do with mine. My cats get started eating first and then I feed the dogs. If the dogs get done early then they have to go into the other room until the cats are done. To start out I would give your cat 5-10 minutes to eat and then take up the food. This way the cat will learn when its dinner time I have to eat or I dont get fed. It may take a few days for the cat to catch on but it should work. and while your cat is eating make the dog stay in another room with you or go outside for a walk or to play while the cat finishes dinner. Then take up any remaining cat food until the next meal time. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

A common problem in homes that have both cats and dogs centers around the food issue and which species should eat which food. Unlike many cats that are finicky, in general, dogs truly love their mealtimes and puppies will eat almost anything. If you have cat food lying around, most puppies and many dogs can't resist it and will eat the cat's food. Dogs love to eat cat food because they love the higher protein, higher calorie content and because they can get away with it if it's just lying around. Although the occasional theft of some cat food probably won't seriously harm your dog and usually the main consequence is some diarrhea or loose stools, try not to let these accidents happen. Cat food is formulated for a cat's metabolism and dog food is made for dogs. A dog that eats a steady diet of cat food will almost certainly gain too much weight and will miss out on nutrients that it needs from its own food. Cats are carnivores and dogs are omnivores (meat and plant eaters) so cat food is missing the 'plant' nutrients that are present in dog food. I would suggest maybe you put the food up on a bench or chair so the dogs can't get it. I don't think it is a good idea to feed your dogs cat food. There is a reason pet food companies manufacture both cat and dog foods.

Answer 3

I don't think there is a solution, other than putting the food up.
Maybe only feed the cat when you put the dog out.
That might mean, Feeding the cat right as you walk the dog.
The cat should learn he needs to eat then or be hungry.

Or put a cat door on one of your interior rooms, that would only work if you don't have a small dog that could fit in it.

Answer 4

You will have to put it in a place, or at a time, when the dog cannot get at it. Dogs will eat almost anything. Even a countertop might be high enough to stymie the dog; the cat will get onto it easily.

Answer 5

Buy an enclosed litter box, and keep the cat food in it. It should be big enough for the cat to get into it, but too small for the dog to get to it.

Answer 6

Well, there's really nothing wrong with your dog eating cat's food. Pet food for cats/dogs doesn't really vary that much. I wouldn't worry about it. Unless you want to feed your cat the canned food, she would probably eat that right up and then you wouldn't have to worry about your dog stealing her food.

Hope this helps! M-E-O-W ............

Answer 7

I put mine on top of the dryer. Otherwise you may just have to feed your cat when your dog is crated. Dogs really like cat food.

Answer 8

I have my cats food on top of my dryer, that way the cats can get at it, but the dog can't.

Answer 9

You can put it on your counter or on a kitchen table or when you want to feed your cat put him/her in the bathroom or lock your dog in the bathroom while your cat eats.

Answer 10

Put it in a place the dog can't get to it or live with it.