He is about 7-8 years old. He is a sweet dog it just gets so annoying that he doesn't eat his food(well sometimes he does, and this dog food is made for senior dogs so I would really like him to eat it) he always trys to eat the cat food, and when i yell at him, he looks at me and keeps doing it! I wouldn't mind him eating the cats food, but its making him gain weight and i dont want him to be obese. can anyone help me please!!!
2007-11-24 16:23:41 · 15 answers · asked by Foxy B 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
he is a cocker spanial but he is a big version of them. (not sure what the vet called it, cause he is purebred) so he can reach up on counters. I would put the cat food up high but 1. I dont really have anywhere to put it and 2. my grandma hates it when the cats get on the counters, tables anything like that.
2007-11-24 16:40:05 · update #1
I've never known the dog that would pass up cat food! It's higher in fat and protein than dog food. It's kind of like twinkies for dogs...and just like little kids they'd eat nothing but junk food if they could.
Put the cat food somewhere where the dog can't get to it. On the dryer, or a counter top or table top, or in a room with a baby gate set up in the doorway (most cats can jump over a baby gate easily, or if the dog is larger than the cat just raise the gate a few inches off the floor so the cat can squeeze under but the dog can't).
Your only other option is to feed the cat on a set feeding schedule. I have to do this not because of my dogs but because I have three cats, two of whom are on a special diet and one of whom will eat till he pukes and then eat some more. My cats get fed twice a day, just like the dogs. The dogs eat downstairs and the cats eat (often at the same time, but not always) upstairs. My mother's cat will over-eat if he's feed free choice, so he's also on scheduled and measured feedings (plus he's diabetic and she needs to know when and how much he eats). If your cat is used to free choice and you decide to switch to scheduled feedings it may help to do it slowly. Measure the amount he gets for each meal and put it in the bowl. Leave the bowl down for 4 hours or so and then pick it up until the next meal time. Slowly decrease the amount of time the food is down...3.5 hours, then 3, then 2.5, etc until you are only leaving the food down for 15-20 minutes at each mealtime.
2007-11-24 16:42:32 · answer #1 · answered by ainawgsd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Feed your dog and cat seperately at seperate times.
Keep the food in a container in a room where your dog and cat can't get into it. Neither of them should be over eating.
Cat food can actually make your dog sick because it's so rich.
Try dog obedience if that doesn't work. Regardless of how old your dog is, it can still be taught obedience. Also watch the Dog Whisperer on TV or check out one of his books, he's got some great advice.
Yelling at a dog won't work either. You have to learn commands.
2007-11-24 16:31:37 · answer #2 · answered by thewriter 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put the cat food out of his reach. The cat can easily jump up on a counter or even a high shelf. Any food you leave on the floor, the dog is going to eat it.
(Watch out anyway: my cat has been known to push the food off the shelf, just to watch the dog eating it.)
2007-11-24 16:36:44 · answer #3 · answered by The First Dragon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might want to feed your cat in a separate room or on an elevated area the dog can't get to. Your dog won't stop otherwise because it's kind of like being a child and having cookies laying around and being told you have to eat carrots. Any child wil eat the cookies if they are around.
You're right that it will cause him to gain weight because cat food has much more fat and protein in it than dog food does, and senior dog food has less fat and protein than regular adult dog food does.
2007-11-24 16:29:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would block off the area where you feed your cats. And try and do this as soon as possible. Cat food can make a dog obese and can cause blindness in dogs overtime. Or you can feed your cats at a certain time then take up the food as soon as they are done. Hope that helps!
2007-11-24 18:30:56 · answer #5 · answered by MOMMY1980 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put the cats food up high where the dog cant get to it. I used to keep my cats food on top of a cabinet in the computer room. As long as the cat knows where you put it, they will jump up anywhere to eat.
2007-11-24 16:28:14 · answer #6 · answered by Kelly H 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
dogs prefer cat food because cats are true carnivours - their food contains more meat...
it is not good for dogs to eat cat food - you need to put the cat food up high where the dog cannot get it... also it wouldnt hurt to check the quality of dog food you are feeding - if it contains "by-products" you can be 100 % sure the food is crap - no wonder he wants kitty food...
2007-11-24 16:42:25 · answer #7 · answered by CF_ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lock the food away where the dog can't reach it, cats jump a little, so place it in a higher spot.
2007-11-24 16:27:11 · answer #8 · answered by Corgis4Life 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't let him get to the cat food? o.O
Or buy a can of wet dog food and put a little on top on his, which will make it more appetizing than anything dry.
2007-11-24 16:30:03 · answer #9 · answered by Bailey 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sure, all u have to do is put the cat food someplace high where he cant reach it. cats are amazing jumpers, so they wont have any problem getting to their food. just make sure that ur cats know where the food is now. =] hope this helps
2007-11-24 16:31:40 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋