If my cat eats dog food Will it hurt him ?

Question

My new cat is always with my dogs even at meal time and he likes to eat with them, will it hurt him in any way.

Answer 1

It won't hurt him, but the dog food is different from cat food because the nutritional needs for cats and dogs are different. You can supplement kitty's diet with vitamins and treats until he decides to eat his own food.

Answer 2

Yes, dog food is not good for cats. Dogs are omnivores and as such their food has a lot more grains and veggies in it. Cats are carnivores, they need a very high protein meat based diet with no grains. Cats must have the amino acid called 'taurine' in their diet; dogs can actually make their own taurine. A cat eating food deficient in taurine can develop severe heart disease and other health problems. Cats require a different form of Vitamin A than dogs do. Dogs can use beta-carotene as a source of Vitamin A; cats cannot. Cats can not manufacture the fatty acid called 'arachidonic acid' and must have it supplemented in their diet; it is not essential for dogs to have this fatty acid in their food.

Answer 3

One piece of kibble here and there, no. But if he's eating more dog food than cat food, then yes it could. Dog food is too low in protein to sustain a cat, and also the levels of taurine aren't as high in dog food as it is in cat food. Most species can make taurine, but cats can't, they need to get it from food. And they can't turn off the metabolic pathway that burns protein for energy, they ALWAYS burn protein, which is why they need so much more of it. You can meal-feed cats like you do with dogs (set the food bowl out twice a day) so that he feels part of the "social" club, but put cat food in his bowl.

It's pretty common for cats and dogs to want what is in the other dish, just because it's different. Curiosity and all that.

Answer 4

Taurine is an essential amino acid that is added to all commercial cat food because cats cannot make it in their bodies (dogs and humans can). So if your cat eats nothing but dog food he can develop serious heart problems and/or go blind.

Dogs love the cat food so it is best to feed the cat in another place from the dogs.

Answer 5

Yes it can hurt your cat! A little bit now and then is ok, BUT if your cat is not eating cat food she can have damage occur to her heart and retinas! Cat food has an ingredient called TAURINE that is not present in dog foods. Your cat's body requires taurine to function normally and without it permanent damage can occur.

Answer 6

Eating dogfood will not poison your cat if that is what you are worried about. However, dogfood does not contain the necessary nutrients that a cat needs in its diet (especially taurine and pre-prepared Vit A) and contains ingredients that a cat will not be able to digest very well. You realy need to feed your kitty CAT food.

Answer 7

If he starts barking, get him to a vet immediately.
:P
Just kidding. No, it will not hurt him. But don't think it's a good substitute -- cats need more protein than dog food has in it.

Answer 8

Are you talking about dry food? No, my cat nibbles from time to time. I think it has a better flavor than her food and she is on a diet so she is constantly looking for food.

Answer 9

for a full time diet dog food doesn't have enough protein for good cat health.

Answer 10

I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS HARMFUL FOR YOUR CAT TO EAT DOG FOOD BUT IF YOU CAN PREVENT YOUR CAT FROM EATING DOG FOOD THAT MAY BE THE BEST THING FOR YOUR CAT...