My 18 month old daughter is OBSESSED with eating cat food/treats and dog jerky treats. I frequently check the recall sites and none of my foods/treats have showed up on any lists but I am just wondering if she does this because shes missing a nutrient of some kind? None of my other 3 children did this. Should I be worried?
2007-04-26 14:19:47 · 11 answers · asked by Shell 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
OK for the idiots that want to criticise my parenting - you dont have children do you. First off the cat food is in a locked cabinet (the bag) as well as CLEANING products you critical moron! (a different cabinet) I am not feeding the cat food to her, but I have three other children as well and YOU try telling them they have to keep certain gates up and doors closed, it is IMPOSSIBLE to keep your eyes on a child 100% of the time especially when you have morethan one which you will find out yourselves if you ever find anyone idiotic enough to marry you. They get into things and as soon as the door opens to the garage (the cat hangout) she makes a beeline for the food. I take it from her and make her spit it out, im just wondering if her obsession has to do with a nutrient lack!
2007-04-26 15:27:35 · update #1
I don't think you should be worried. Pet foods have a lot of the same ingredients as people food, and as long as the foods are not being recalled, I think it's probably safe for her to eat. If she's eating vegetables, meat, people food, and her diet is pretty much balanced, she probably isn't suffering from any kind of nutrient deficiency. She probably eats it because she loves the kitties and the puppy and wants to mimic them, and with most pets food dishes being on the floor, it's easily accessible to her.
2007-04-26 14:52:02 · answer #1 · answered by Erin 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I doubt there's anything lacking from her diet. It's probably more like a 'forbidden fruit' sort of thing. My son is almost 15 months, and ever since he could crawl and he discovered the cat bowl, he's been wanting in it. So far, I'm pretty sure he's only actually eaten 5 or 6 pieces of dry food, but I have to fish it out of his mouth several times a week, and he always giggles and tries to run away with a handful of it. I think it's an attention-getter, and a boundary-pusher. Eventually, the novelty will wear off and both of our kids will stop doing that. It can't possibly taste good...
2007-04-26 18:29:32 · answer #2 · answered by Queen Queso 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I had to laugh when I read the first portion of your question. My 18 month old always goes for the cat food at Grandmas house as well. I think in her case it is a curiosity thing as well as she will put anything in her mouth that she can get her hands on. I don't think it is nutritional but normal.
2007-04-26 15:55:23 · answer #3 · answered by mamatohaley+1 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have a 10 yr old and a 6 yr old. Both of them at one time shared the cat food with my cat. It didn't hurt them at all. I think they did it for the extra attention and there very curious. They were both at about the same age when they were doing it.
A little trick I learned to make them stop was to have them there own bowl and put something that tastes yucky (like that cat food doesn't already) like a little hot sauce or vinegar (just a touch for taste) on it. After a taste or two (or four with the oldest) they stopped. My mom did it with my nephew and it cured him too. Good Luck.
2007-04-26 15:37:46 · answer #4 · answered by raven_sky27 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, it's nothing to worry about. She not lacking nutrients its just that she can reach it herself and its fun because you chase her to make her stop. Eventually she'll stop. Or put the cat food up higher where the cat can still get it and she can't.
2007-04-26 15:34:22 · answer #5 · answered by tomgirlr 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Talk to your family practicioner.
Presumably you have cats?
As for the food, if that is all she eats, she is missing critical nutrients, and yes you should be worried. If she *supplements* what you feed her with the cat food, then try to find a safe and healthy alternative for her.
2007-04-26 14:30:42 · answer #6 · answered by jcurrieii 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My son tries to get the cat food, he's yet to eat any though. Don't let your daughter wonder around the area where you keep the pet food. I wouldn't think it would hurt her once, but it shouldn't happen anymore.
2007-04-26 14:31:30 · answer #7 · answered by aprilmommy06 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
She is doing this because she is poorly supervised. Watch you child better. If you read the labels on pet foods it warns against human consumption and to keep away from children. Do you leave bottles of bleach laying around too?
2007-04-26 14:25:09 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
yea you should b worried. take her to the doctor and figure out y she's doing it. dog food and cat food isnt good for anyone. especially a child still in the developing stages
2007-04-26 14:24:12 · answer #9 · answered by mini 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My 20-month-old does this, too. (She eats bugs and worms, too.) The pediatrician says it's nothing to worry about.
2007-04-26 14:23:59 · answer #10 · answered by Yarro Pilz 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋