Can Dogs Eat Cat Food? Is It Bad? (Tips From A Vet)

Does your canine get excited each time you open a bag, can, or pouch of cat meals? Dogs appear to like the stuff, however is it protected for them to eat? Feline meals are made up of most of the similar substances that go into pet food, so one may assume it’s protected for canines to eat. The actuality is somewhat trickier, and whereas the substances are the identical, and an occasional little bit of kitty kibble might not harm your pup, there are higher choices than feeding canines kitty meals long-term. We soar into the main points and talk about the distinction between feline and canine vitamin and the results consuming kitty chow has on canines.

Canine vs. Feline Nutrition

Canines and felines should not have the identical dietary wants. For starters, cats are obligate carnivores. They require a weight loss program that’s excessive in animal proteins. While felines require a meat-heavy weight loss program, canines are omnivores and eat plant materials like vegetables and fruit, in addition to animal proteins.

While each felines and canines require amino acids from their diets, canines want 10, and felines want 11. Cats want the amino acid taurine for correct growth and physique operate. Taurine performs a really massive position in cardiovascular operate, digestion, immune system operate, and imaginative and prescient, amongst different issues. Because of this, kitty vitamin has a lot increased ranges of animal proteins and taurine. The increased animal protein and fats make these meals irresistible to canine as a result of they scent and style like juicy meat.

Cat meals has a requirement for taurine, whereas pet food doesn’t. Canines eat taurine however don’t require practically as a lot of it. They additionally want completely different quantities of fiber, vitamins, protein, nutritional vitamins, and different dietary components than cats. Kitty chow is formulated for wholesome and balanced feline vitamin, and whereas it tastes good and isn’t poisonous, it doesn’t meet the precise dietary wants of any canine. Conversely, cats mustn’t eat canine meals because it doesn’t include sufficient protein, fats, or amino acids to maintain or preserve them wholesome.

Can Dogs Eat Cat Food (A Vet’s Expert Opinion)

Dr. Hannah Godfrey BVetMed MRCVS weighs in “It’s well-publicized that cats can’t eat dog food because it lacks taurine, which is an essential amino acid that cats can’t make themselves. However, it’s also true that dogs shouldn’t eat cat food. Because cats are obligate carnivores, whereas dogs are omnivores, cat food contains a higher proportion of animal protein and less of the grains, vegetables, and other components that dogs need to meet their nutritional needs.”

Dr. Godfrey factors out, “A higher protein content is unlikely to cause damage to your dog’s kidneys if it’s just a one-off or very short term, but if your dog has existing kidney damage or disease, or you feed them cat food long term, you could cause kidney failure. It’s not just the protein that could cause an issue for your dog, though, cat food is also usually higher in fat and calories, which could cause your dog problems with obesity, gut upsets, or even pancreatitis.”

Dr. Godfrey provides, “I’ve had pet owners mention to me during conversations that they’ve been feeding their dog the cat’s food because they haven’t had time to get to the pet shop yet. It’s often not perceived to be a big deal. However, even though in the short term it’s unlikely to cause a huge problem, I always advise them to get hold of the dog food as soon as they can, as it’s not a good idea to chop and change your dog’s diet anyway, especially if they have a sensitive belly.”

Is Cat Food Bad For Dogs?

While not poisonous, cat chow, moist or dry, will not be wholesome for canines. If your pup gobbles up a serving or two sometimes, it is not going to seemingly trigger long-term hurt. However, consuming kitty chow in massive portions or often is unhealthy. In reality, canine ought to by no means eat feline merchandise, as they aren’t developed to fulfill their species-specific dietary wants. Feline chow is undoubtedly a greater possibility than giving your pup a French fry or a stick of beef jerky, however that doesn’t imply it’s wholesome for them.

Feline meals even have the potential to be dangerous to pups who’re affected by kidney, liver, or abdomen ailments. The similar goes for pups with delicate stomachs, dietary allergic reactions, or different gastrointestinal points. Kitty chow will not be developed to be digested by canine, particularly the upper protein ranges, which might result in some problem if it turns into an everyday behavior.

Feline meals are additionally excessive in animal fats, which might result in the event of pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is an inflammatory illness affecting the pancreas, which produces a part of the physique’s digestive enzymes. When a canine suffers from pancreatitis, this organ turns into infected, which results in a lack of urge for food, ache, vomiting, swelling, and inside bleeding. Pancreatitis should be handled shortly to cease the ache and have a better likelihood of restoration. Symptoms embrace lethargy, hunching over, arched again ache, lack of urge for food, diarrhea, vomiting, and total weak point.

Some canine breeds have a better chance of genetic susceptibility for pancreatitis, together with Boxers, Schnauzers, Cocker Spaniels, Collies, and a few Terrier breeds. For these canine, the upper fats content material of feline meals is a really unhealthy selection. Eating an excessive amount of kitty grub additionally places canines at a better threat of weight acquire and creating circumstances like diabetes and poor coronary heart well being.

Is Wet Cat Food Bad For Dogs?

Wet cat meals will not be poisonous or toxic for canines, however it’s unhealthy for them. Eating it every now and then will not be more likely to trigger any long-term or noticeable results except your pet suffers from an underlying illness or dietary deficiency. Eating feline-focused meals over lengthy intervals and consuming massive quantities can result in gastrointestinal dysfunction. These circumstances embrace painful gasoline, diarrhea, and indigestion. Additionally, there’s all the time a threat {that a} pup might be allergic to one thing contained within the recipe, as these formulation should not examined for security nor developed to be consumed by canine.

Sometimes, a veterinarian might suggest {that a} canine eats moist cat meals for a short while. This can happen when a pup is combating a critical illness that impacts the urge for food or digestion, together with most cancers. Kitty grub tends to style higher attributable to its increased fats and protein content material. A vet might suggest this over a home-cooked weight loss program if canine are having problem digesting the carbohydrates and fibers present in industrial pet meals. However, it’s finest to talk about your canine’s dietary wants with the vet, together with any issues or issues you’ve got, fairly than switching them to a feline method by yourself.

Is Dry Cat Food Bad For Dogs?

Dogs could also be drawn to dry feline-focused kibble for a similar motive they search out moist meals. Kitty recipes style nice and scent like meat. The excessive protein and fats content material make it style very meaty, which our canine companions can not resist. Canines can simply crunch up dry cat kibbles and treats, and they’ll seemingly digest them, however they aren’t wholesome. While crunchy in texture, they’re designed for skinny feline enamel, not greater canine enamel. The crunch has no cleansing profit, and the kibble will seemingly break down shortly. Additionally, there’s the potential for items to get caught within the mouth and enamel.

Can Puppies Eat Kitten Food?

Puppies mustn’t eat kitten chow if attainable. While it tastes good and does supply protein, it doesn’t have what puppies have to develop appropriately. They can eat it in a pinch however don’t make a behavior of this. Stick to breed and size-appropriate pet kibbles and moist meals. These are a lot more healthy to your pup.

Is Cat Food Bad For Dog’s Kidneys?

Eating loads of this may be unhealthy for a canine’s kidneys, particularly these with kidney illness or dysfunction. In some circumstances, canine with kidney points even have to go on a prescription weight loss program. Dry kitty kibble is way worse than moist meals for animals with kidney illness as a result of they include little moisture. Kitty chow will also be dangerous for canine affected by liver illness. Foods excessive in copper, together with organ meats usually included in cat meals, could be significantly exhausting on the liver.

Can A Dog Die From Eating Cat Food?

A canine is unlikely to die from consuming feline meals. If snacking on cat chow turns into an everyday behavior, it may result in abdomen upset, weak point, vomiting, or diarrhea. If this occurs, it’s best to name your vet. In some uncommon circumstances, your pet might develop an allergic response to the substances. Pups consuming this weight loss program long-term stand a a lot increased threat of creating pancreatitis, which could be deadly. Eating an excessive amount of of it over an prolonged time period can result in very critical and typically life-ending medical circumstances.

If your pup eats kitty chow, moist or dry, and is in any sort of misery or ache afterward, don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian.

Can Dogs Eat Cat Food In An Emergency?

Yes, a pup can eat kitty chow in an emergency however just for a short while. They will benefit from the style and new textures. While it will likely be sufficient to maintain them for just a few days, it isn’t an excellent behavior to get into. The potential for long-term well being points is much too nice. While your pup might benefit from the style and suppose this can be a tasty deal with, it isn’t a really wholesome selection in the long term. If your canine is obese, diabetic, undergo from kidney or liver illness, or has different long-term well being circumstances, it’s best to make use of warning when giving them feline merchandise. Even in an emergency, this is probably not the most suitable choice.

Personal Experience With Dog Eating Cat Food

I’ve a pup now that likes to eat kitty meals. He likes it a lot he’ll get upset if he sees me feed the cats, as he thinks they’re getting a deal with that he’s being overlooked of. I’m not positive why he likes it a lot as a result of he’s fed a high-quality weight loss program, however he’s all the time very curious about it. If he occurs to get into the room when the kitties are consuming, he’ll chase them off, particularly if they’re consuming canned or moist meals. To fight this, I feed all my animals in numerous areas.

Looking For Healthy Dog Food Options?

High-quality, wholesome, balanced pet food is all the time a better option than kitty kibble or other forms of cat meals. Fortunately for house owners and their canine members of the family, there are a rising variety of wholesome pet food choices to select from. Freeze-dried meals, in addition to contemporary, human-grade choices, have gotten increasingly widespread. There are a number of unbelievable supply choices out there. Along with that, house owners can select uncooked meals or a holistic weight loss program. Always converse to your veterinarian about your canine’s well being and dietary issues. This consists of including in any supplements or nutritional vitamins. Always use warning when making vital dietary modifications, particularly in case your canine has any underlying medical issues.

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