Pet Nutrition Q & A: Dogs Who Eat Cat Food
I have a seven-pound Yorkie/min-pin mix who regularly eats dog food, but whenever I go to my father’s house, she eats our cat's food. Is this bad for her?
―Megan
It sounds funny, Megan, but many dogs prefer to eat cat food. Since it’s higher in protein, fat and calories, it’s more tasty. However, most dogs will still eat their own dog food if they aren't offered another choice. Remember that the nutritional needs of cats and dogs are different, and their foods are formulated to meet those specific needs. Although it is not usually harmful if a small amount of the wrong food is eaten, nutritional imbalances affecting your dog’s health could occur if this continues long term. Dietary changes can also cause gastrointestinal discomfort and diarrhea. If at all possible, when visiting your dad, I would recommend that you take your dog’s food with you and that you do not allow her to go near the cat’s food.
―Megan
It sounds funny, Megan, but many dogs prefer to eat cat food. Since it’s higher in protein, fat and calories, it’s more tasty. However, most dogs will still eat their own dog food if they aren't offered another choice. Remember that the nutritional needs of cats and dogs are different, and their foods are formulated to meet those specific needs. Although it is not usually harmful if a small amount of the wrong food is eaten, nutritional imbalances affecting your dog’s health could occur if this continues long term. Dietary changes can also cause gastrointestinal discomfort and diarrhea. If at all possible, when visiting your dad, I would recommend that you take your dog’s food with you and that you do not allow her to go near the cat’s food.
Labels: Pet Care
posted by ASPCA at 11:34 AM PERMALINK
10 Comments:
I have a yorkie/chihuaua mix and she wont even touch her dog food now that we got a cat, she just eats the cat food. I guess I'll have to move the food bowls.
I have however heard that letting your cat eat dog food can be harmful if not fatal to a cat
W would certainly not recommend that any dog eat wet cat food. My Shih Tzu Molly ate some wet cat food and man was she sick. Liquid Diarrhea from one end to the other and she was really dehydrated. Took her a couple of days to get back to normal again. Once I got some kitten kibble, Molly stayed clear of the cats bowl, thank heaven.
I have heard of dogs eating cat food, but never that it's bad for them.
I have heard that if a dog eats cat food it can cause renal failure, there is way too much protein in it for a dog. But just a small amount eaten can cause diarrhea for days....!!!
My 3 year old German Shepherd ate my cat's dry and wet food, she had diarhea and threw up for two days. Make sure your dog has plenty of water because they will need to rehydrate themselves. You also want to make sure to keep them from getting to any carpeted area.
my dog eats cat food all the time and she is just fine no diarrhea the only thing she eats that gets her sick is cat poop
Since I have started mixing canned cat food with my cats' dry food once a day, my dog refused to eat his food for 3 days! I actually gave him 1/2 a can of cat food one time mixed in with his canned dog food, he's been happy with his food since.
You write very well.
I don't really care if my shorkie eats the cat food...it doesn't seem to disagree with her. But my cat is on prescription food. It is more expensive than normal cat food.Since we free feed the cat, I can't keep the dog out of it. Any thoughts on how to keep her from eating it?
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