No, you should not regularly feed cat food to dogs. While dogs may find cat food palatable, there are differences in the nutritional makeup between cat food and dog food.
Feeding cat food long-term can lead to nutritional deficiencies and health issues in dogs.
Is It Safe for Dogs to Eat Cat Food?
There are some key nutritional differences between cat food and dog food that make cat food unsafe for long-term feeding to dogs:
Differences in Protein and Fat
Cat food contains 2-3 times more protein and fat than dog food. Cats are obligate carnivores and require a lot of animal-based protein in their diet. Dogs have more flexibility than omnivores.
Too much protein and fat long-term put a strain on dogs’ liver and kidneys as they struggle to metabolize the excess. This can cause organ damage over time.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Cat food lacks certain vitamins and minerals dogs need for overall health:
- Calcium – For strong bones and teeth
- Vitamin D – For calcium absorption
- Vitamin B – For energy metabolism
These deficiencies can lead to dental disease, bone weakness, lethargy, and impaired immune function when feeding cat food long-term.
Specific Ingredients
Some specific ingredients found in cat food can be toxic to dogs if consumed regularly in high amounts:
- Fish – Can cause vitamin A toxicity
- Liver – Also high in vitamin A
While an occasional nibble likely won’t cause issues, regular vitamin A overload can lead to painful bone growth and organ damage.
So while dogs may seem fine eating cat food occasionally, the nutritional imbalances make cat food unsafe for regular long-term feeding.
What to Do If Your Dog Eats Cat Food?
If your dog ate a small amount of cat food, like stealing a few bites from the cat’s bowl, monitor them for signs of digestive upset like:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
These symptoms may indicate stomach irritation or inflammation from the unnatural food source. Try feeding bland foods like boiled chicken and rice for a few days. Contact your vet if symptoms last more than 24 hours or cause lethargy.
For suspected large ingestions, like eating an entire bowl or bag of cat food, take your dog to the vet immediately. They can induce vomiting to empty the stomach and provide IV fluids and anti-nausea medication as needed. Monitor closely for vitamin A toxicity.
Routine cat food ingestion needs to be handled through training and environmental management to prevent access.
Potential Health Risks Of Feeding Cat Food To Dogs
Here are some potential health risks of feeding cat food to dogs:
- Kidney Disease – The high protein and phosphorus content of cat food can put excess strain on dogs’ kidneys over time, potentially leading to kidney disease.
- Pancreatitis – The high-fat content of cat food can trigger pancreatitis in dogs, which is an extremely painful inflammation of the pancreas.
- Obesity – Since cat food is more calorically dense than dog food, it can lead to weight gain and obesity if fed long-term.
- Nutritional Deficiencies – Cat food is lacking in nutrients dogs need like calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B, and omega-3s. This can cause many health issues.
- Bone Disease – Lack of calcium and vitamin D in cat food can cause bones to weaken and become brittle.
- Heart Disease – The high fat and protein in cat food can contribute to heart disease in dogs.
- Liver Disease – Excess vitamin A from cat food ingredients like fish and liver can lead to a painful liver disease called hypervitaminosis A.
- Digestive Upset – The high-fat content of cat food can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and gastroenteritis in dogs if fed long-term.
- Skin Problems – Fatty acid imbalances and nutritional deficiencies in cat food can lead to dry, itchy skin and a dull coat.
So while the occasional nibble of cat food is fine, regular long-term feeding can put dogs at risk for obesity, malnutrition, and disease. It’s best to stick to dog food formulated specifically for canine nutritional needs.
Tips for Preventing Dogs From Eating Cat Food
To keep your dog out of the cat food long-term:
1. Feed Cats and Dogs Separately
- Feed cats in separate closed rooms dogs don’t have access to
- Elevate cat bowls onto furniture so dogs can’t reach
- Use microchip-activated feeders that only open for the designated pet
Feeding separately prevents dogs from stealing cat food while their backs are turned.
2. Use Pet Gates or Barriers
- Put up baby gates in doorways to block access to cat-feeding areas
- Use an exercise pen to sequester the cat’s food dishes
- Close pantry doors or cupboards holding cat food tightly
Physical barriers help deter dogs from entering cat food zones.
3. Proper Food Storage
- Store dry cat food in a container with a tight sealing lid
- Keep cat food bags zipped securely shut after scooping
- Place cat food dishes high on counters or shelves
- Consider using a cat microchip feeder
Keeping cat food properly contained and put away prevents sneaky snacking.
4. Train Dogs to Avoid Cat Food Areas
- Use treats to reward dogs for staying away from cat zones
- Practice “Leave it” commands around cat food dishes
- Keep dogs on leashes temporarily to teach avoidance
With time and positive reinforcement, dogs can learn cat food is off-limits.
5. Provide Adequate Dog Food
Dogs are less likely to steal cat food if their nutritional needs are already met. Feed a complete and balanced dog food in the proper portions for your dog’s size and age.
With some planning and training, dogs and cats can peacefully co-exist without canine cat food thievery. Stick to food formulated specifically for each species’ nutritional needs. While the occasional bit of cat food likely won’t harm an adult dog, regular cat food feeding can lead to issues over time. For their health, feed your dog food and keep the cat food limited to just the cats.
