my dog is eating the cat food and the cat is eating the dog food. we moved the cats food to a higher place but now she'll eat the dog food then if there is no more in the bowl she'll go to her food.....is this hurting them? what can i do to stop it?
2007-09-06 15:31:20 · 18 answers · asked by Kass 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
It definitely isnt good for them. Cats need a high level of taurine in their diet, which is not present in dog food. Also, cat food is much to high in fat and protein for dogs. They need to stick to their own food to get the nutrients that they need for their species!
2007-09-06 15:35:02 · answer #1 · answered by doodlebugmeem 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is a well known fact that cat food is more appealing to dogs than dog food. Must just taste better. Though I am not sure about whether it is harmful I do know that dogs should eat dog food for the protein and vitamins.
You could try putting your cat on a feeding schedule and putting the dog in a room while the cat eats. Or maybe put the food bowl up where the dog can not reach it but the cat still can (like a counter). You could also try mixing in a little cat food with your dog's food and see if that will lower his/her desire for the cats bowl.
Hope this helps!
2007-09-06 23:28:20 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The cat food is not terribly bad for your dog, but there is way too much protein in dog food for a cat's body. This may sound weird, but cats do not need as much protein as dogs do, and too much can cause serious health problems. If you only feed your dog once or twice a day, try putting him in another room to eat, where the cat cannot get the food, and continue to leave the cat's food on a higher level so the dog cannot eat it.
2007-09-06 22:42:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not good that the cat is eating the dog food. My mom has a cat that eats dog food. And it is the big pieces for the large dogs. Then again... this cat thinks he is a dog. My mom's cat has been doing this for years and he is still kicking. He is over weight as well.
To stop it... you need to either feed the dog in a room and close the door or feed the dog outside. Feed the dog where ever the cat does not go. It is going to be tough.
2007-09-06 22:40:23 · answer #4 · answered by hot47qt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a feeder for your cat and keep it full and in a high place. Its not the best idea for her weight but better than eating dog food if yiu are going to free feed. Dog food is very bad for cats and can contribute to Feline Urinary Syndrome, a life threatening problem that is expensive to treat. Its also not great for a dog to eat cat food, too high protein content. You could eliminate the problem altogether by not free feeding. Feed them once a day, in seperate rooms and put away the extra food when they are done eating.
2007-09-06 22:48:28 · answer #5 · answered by starbreezetarot 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to get your dog on a feeding schedule and only give the dog just enough food for that meal. If it does not eat it all take it up and wait to feed him again until the next scheduled feeding time. The dog will learn when feeding time is quickly and will eat it all as he will know that he will have to wait till the next feeding time to eat. Not leaving out the dog food will prevent the cat from eating it.
Dogs should not eat cat food and vice versa. It is not good for their digestive tracts.
2007-09-06 22:40:39 · answer #6 · answered by Amanda シ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mine did the same thing. It is not good for either one of them. I placed the cat food up high so the dog can't reach it. I watch the dog when it is time for him to eat so I can stop the cat from eating his wet food. I leave dry food out all of the time and the cat doesn't bother that. Good luck to you.
2007-09-06 22:37:22 · answer #7 · answered by puanani 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not good for the dog...keep it up somewhere the dog cannot get to it and the cat can...i have a friend who feeds his cat in a baby high chair (an antique no less) so his dogs won't get the food or bother the cat while he's eating...it is really kind of cute, the cat sitting in the highchair and eating from a bowl on the food tray, or just sitting there and waiting to be fed...
2007-09-06 22:36:24 · answer #8 · answered by captsnuf 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Commercial foods are specifically prepared for each animal.
They should only be eating their own sort.
Put the cat food up where the dog can't get it.
Only put the dog food down when it's time to eat.
Put it outside, or in a separate room (porch?).
2007-09-06 22:38:32 · answer #9 · answered by Robert S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you dont want your cat to ever eat dog food, they will gat kidney stones. Your gonna have to keep the cat food elevated where the dog cant get it and find some way to keep the cat away from dog food.
2007-09-06 22:40:38 · answer #10 · answered by jessika f 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋