Why Dog Food Isn’t Suitable for Cats: What You Need to Know

Dog Food for Cats: Harmful in the Long Run

If you have a cat and a dog, your cat might occasionally help itself to the dog food. If this happens once in a while, it’s not dangerous. However, if your cat eats only dog food, it can have negative consequences.

• Cats need plenty of protein in their cat food, especially taurine. Their bodies cannot produce this essential amino acid on their own. It’s found primarily in meat and fish.
• Dogs can produce taurine themselves and need less protein and more carbohydrates in their diet. That’s why dog food contains more vegetables.
• If your purring pet eats only dog food, it can lead to deficiency symptoms. If the cat doesn’t get enough protein, its coat becomes dull and its vision deteriorates.
• Your dog, on the other hand, will gain weight from the high protein content and develop digestive problems, such as diarrhea and bloating.
• Cats are strict carnivores. Their digestive systems are designed for this, and they have difficulty digesting carbohydrates. If they consume too many carbohydrates from dog food, they’ll develop stomach and intestinal problems.

How to Prevent Your Cat from Eating Dog Food

To keep both of your four-legged friends healthy, make sure each one eats only food appropriate for their species. We have a few tips on how to do that.

• Don’t buy dog food for your cat, and make sure your pet doesn’t receive any well-intentioned dog treats from strangers.
• Place the food for your dog and cat in separate rooms and close the door while they’re eating. Dispose of any leftovers immediately. That way, the two pets can’t swap their food.
• If your dog goes after the cat food, give him signals that he’s not allowed to do that.
• Feed your dog and cat at different times and keep an eye on the other animal. That way, you can intervene in time if one of them starts snacking on the other’s food.