Are Dogs Omnivores or Carnivores?

Question

I know CATS are carnivores but I thought dogs were omnivors? So are they?

Answer 1

Dogs are carnivores NOT omnivores!!


Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Canis
Species: familiaris

CARNIVORA - Meat Eaters


Families of this order include the dogs, bears, seals, walrus, raccoon, weasels, civets, hyenas, skunks, and cats. All carnivores have four large canine teeth and they have special teeth called the carnassial teeth. These are located in the rear of the jaws and they act like scissors to tear flesh and shear bone.

Although most of these animals include berries, nuts, and fruits in their diet, they still are the flesh-eating mammals.

In addition to the design of their teeth and jaws if you studied their digestive systems you would quickly learn that they are indeed meat eaters not grain/veggie eaters. They are not designed to digest plant material and grains.

Answer 2

if u are looking at it scientifically then they are carnivores, the shape of their teeth (pointed and sharp) , and the movement of their jaws , restricted to up and down movement only ( for slicing meat ), ... are all clear characteristics of carnivores. However, if all dogs are like mine , then they will eat basically anything , so i guess they are omnivores in that perspective.

Answer 3

At present, there is some debate as to whether domestic dogs should be classified as omnivores or carnivores, by diet. The classification in the Order Carnivora does not necessarily mean that a dog's diet must be restricted to meat; unlike an obligate carnivore, such as the cat family with its shorter small intestine, a dog is dependent on neither meat-specific protein nor a very high level of protein in order to fulfill its basic dietary requirements.

Answer 4

Although dogs are most often considered carnivores because, in the wild, the canine will most often attack and kill other animals for food, you may also see them grazing, nibbling at grass, foraging in gardens, stealing veggies from the farmer's field.
They really are omnivores deriving many of their essential nutrients from vegetables.
Also, it's not that cats are strictly carnivores, it's that they are obligate meat eaters. Without taurine, present in meat, cats will go blind. But I still can't get my cats to stay out of my window flowers and greenery.

Answer 5

Omnivores.
Even wolves in the wild are omnivores - think about it, when they bring down prey, be it a rabbit a rat or an elk - what is the first thing they eat? The internal organs, including the intestines. And what is IN the intestines of herbivores? Vegetation...
Most commercial dog foods today include grains and other types of vegetation. Wellness (which I feed one of my dogs) has tomatoes, spinach, carrots, blueberries, and sweet potatoes. Of course since they are already in the kibble he is MOL obliged to eat his veggies, but the same dog also loves cantaloupe, baby carrots, apples, pears, and bananas. Also broccoli but he does not get that b/c it gives him gas - OMG does it give him gas...

Answer 6

Dogs are omnivores as JUST meat doesn't give them all the essential vitamins and minerals they need.
Cats are obligate carnivores as they need taurine from meat.

Answer 7

In the wild they are omnivores because they eat grass to help digestion and if you feed the a certain type of dog food they would technically be considered omnivores but that only works if you feed them certain tyoes if dry dog food.

Answer 8

Dog's can survive on both a purely meat diet or on a purely vegetable diet, that alone is what makes them omnivores.

Answer 9

Dogs are omnivores..... dogs eat plants(veg) and meat

Answer 10

YES! Dogs are omnivores!