Can cats eat dog food? As cat and dog parents me and my wife have wandered a lot of times. So let’s find out…
As a cat and dog parent, you may have wondered if there is any harm in cats eating dog food. Fortunately, small amounts won’t harm your kitty cat. Although cat and dog food seem similar, there are some important differences and thus long-term feeding of dog food to cats can cause complications.
Cats are considered obligate carnivores which means that they require animal protein. Dog food does not include enough protein, taurine, and other vitamins and minerals to keep cats healthy. In addition, it contains a lot of calories, fat, and water which are necessary for your dog but are inappropriate for cats.
Is It Safe To Give Your Cat Dog Food?
There are several different types of cat food available: dry, canned and raw. According to experts we should feed some or all wet cat food to help maintain hydration, minimize carbohydrate intake, and promote a healthy urinary tract. Cats don’t tend to drink enough water to stay well-hydrated, which can lead to problems with the urinary tract and kidneys.
However, some cats prefer or even become addicted to dry food and will not eat enough wet food at all. In this case, they need to be gradually transitioned to wet food for health benefits. Your veterinarian can help you decide if your cat needs to begin eating wet food rather than dry.
Raw food has become increasingly popular among many cat owners, as it simulates the way cats eat in the wild. However, there are always safety risks for your cat and the people in the house, when feeding raw meat. If you consider starting a raw food diet for your cat you should first visit a vet and be aware of all the risks.
What to Do If Your Cat Eats Dog Food
If your cat eats a few bites of dog food every once in a while, there is nothing to worry about.
If your cat has an allergy to a certain health problem, then you should be more careful when you’re feeding your dog. Make sure to create a note with the type of food your cat ate and contact your vet for advice.
If you notice that your cat enjoys eating your dog’s food then make sure that you keep your cat in another while your dog is eating and pick up bowls of leftover food. Also, keep the dog out of your cat’s reach to prevent any unwanted side effects.
Is your cat eating dog food? How do you prevent that? Let us know in the comment section below…
