We have a himalayan kitty who loves to eat our dog's kibble. Is this enough nutrition for her?
2007-06-03 14:35:25 · 11 answers · asked by earlylyte 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
Cats need nutrients like taurine to prevent blindness and heart problems. This isn't found in high enough levels in dog food. Cats need a higher protein level than dogs do. Feed the cat cat food and the dog dog food and you'll be OK.
2007-06-03 14:53:38 · answer #1 · answered by KimbeeJ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Dog food does not have some of the nutrients that cat's specifically need. Try different cat foods until you find one she likes. You can even mix canned cat food with the kibbles to encourage her to eat it. I have a kitten I have to do the with as she's very picky. She is particularly fond of Whiskas kitten food, you might want to try that. The dog food won't hurt her, it's just not formulated properly for your kitty and can cause malnutrition. Also remember not to feed exclusively wet food or people food. They need the crunchies for healthy teeth and gums. Hope that helps some! Best wishes.
2007-06-03 14:52:02 · answer #2 · answered by Sniggle 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be better if your cat ate cat food. Cats are carnivores, as opposed to dogs, which are omnivores. It won't hurt if the cat eats some of the dog's food (or vice versa, for that matter), but the primary diet should be cat food. One way to encourage your cat is to get a bit of the REALLY smelly "wet" food and mix the dry food with it; your dog probably won't be interested, but the cat will likely go bonkers ;-)
2007-06-03 14:40:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No! Cats need special proteins that dog's bodies make in order to mantain their vision. If these proteins are not digested, the cat will go blind.
Try a different brand of cat food, maybe she just doesn't like the cat food she has. Some cats can be very picky!
2007-06-03 14:38:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cats require more meat protein than is in commercial dog food.
Cat also cannot make taurine in their bodies (dogs and humans can). That is an essential amino acid for the cat. Lack of it can lead to death from heart problems and/or blindness. Taurine is added to all commercial cat foods.
2007-06-03 14:56:30 · answer #5 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. She can't eat it exclusively. Dogs can eat cat food, but cats can't eat dog food. I've been told that, over the years, by more than one vet.
2007-06-03 14:39:59 · answer #6 · answered by pookabun1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you shouldnt keep feeding the cats the dogs foods cause they might have liver damage , even grow slowly during their ages . you should get cats foods like cat dry food at the market cause i heard that cats bodies are little different then dogs have . where did i heard that from the news . you can gave youre cats some chicken breast or tuna cans that human also can eat . i gave my male cat that for lunch with some his dry cat food.
2007-06-03 14:42:48 · answer #7 · answered by statecalifornia2009 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Probably more, I'd imagine, since dog food is generally meant to provide nutrition for a much larger animal. Don't be surprised if your kitty gets MASSIVE faster than she should be. :P
2007-06-03 14:38:29 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think it does, my dog does the same thing with cat food.
And my dog eats cat food.
I think one might might have more protein than the other.
2007-06-03 14:40:01 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
as a steay diet, no. cats need more protein than dogs do, so they need a food that is specially formulated for cats.
2007-06-03 14:39:27 · answer #10 · answered by Magick Kitty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋