Cats can eat dog food but dogs shouldn't eat cat food? True?

Question

Someone told me it is okay to feed dog food to my cats--especially if they are outdoor cats. But I was told that it is not okay for dogs to eat cat food. Is this true? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Vice versa. Dogs can eat cat food but cats won't do well on dog food -- it lacks certain elements, such as taurine, that cats need, and it is too low in protein.

Answer 2

That's far from true. In fact, that's opposite. A dog can live on cat food (not solely) but cats will not be healthy on dog food. Cats systems are much more complicated than dogs. Cats can lose their sensitive and complicated eyesight, lose fur, develop all sorts of problems if fed dog food. Cat food costs more for a reason...it has more nutrients that cats absolutely have to have to be healthy.
In all honesty, dogs sgould have their own foods and cats should have theirs. Also, avoid the cheap 'grocery store' type pet foods as they have too many additives, by products and higher ash contents.
The better foods cost more initially, but more than pay for themselves in ways such as fewer vet visits, less food consumption as they won't have to eat as much to get the nutrients needed plus they potty less often. So, you use less food, you use less litter and you have healthy cats with fewer vet visits.

Answer 3

Dog food is bad for cats. Do not let your cat eat dog food. Give the cat a separate place to eat and put the dog food away when the cat is being fed. Taurine is missing from dog food that is good for cats eyesight. Your neighbor is correct.

Answer 4

Not necessarily true. Cat food is rich and could cause stomach upset and digestive problems for dogs. Dog food would not offer the types of nutrients a cat requires in his diet. It is best to purchase and offer premium pet food formulated for dog or cat respectively. Taurine is the first limited amino acid for cats and i'm quite sure this isn't found in dog food. You will have happy pets if you provide them their specific nutritional needs.

Answer 5

My cat eats dog food all the time and hes fine. but also my dog eats the cat food nothing has happened to him I don't think that anything bad will happen if your dog eats cat food

Answer 6

Yes, that is true. I doubt if many cats would eat dog food unless they were starving, but it won't hurt them. Cat food is so high in protein and fat that many dogs get pancreatitis if they eat very much of it. That can be fatal.

Answer 7

It will cause malnutrition and diseases affecting the heart.
If you want to know what cats can't eat and dogs can"t eat go to Peteducation.com and search "Food to Avoid" it will show what food cats should not eat and the reason why and the same with the dog food.

Answer 8

Cat food has a lot more protein in it then dog food. The extra protein is excreted through the kidneys when the dogs eat it. After a while, this will destroy the dog's kidneys, killing it.

Answer 9

Not true. Cats will get ill if fed on dog food because it does not meet their dietry requirements. Insufficient levels of dietry taurine lead to blindness.

Answer 10

no its not true its unlikely that any real harm will come from it but cat food has what a cat needs and vice versa thats why they make it for each animal not just one for all. cats need taurine in their food and dog food usually doesnt have that in it.