Why can't cats eat dog food? Why Dogs Shouldn't Eat Cat Food

Cats and dogs are the most common pets, and they often live in the same apartment. Peacefully (or not quite peacefully) dividing the territory of the apartment, pets often begin to share the contents of their bowls. Over time, the owners notice that the cat is happy to eat from the dog bowl and feels great doing it. Is it safe to feed a cat dog food?

Cats are carnivorous predators, everyone knows that. Dogs are also predators - this is a well-known fact. Therefore, cats and dogs can be fed the same food. This is the conclusion often reached by negligent owners who want to justify their desire to feed their cat with dog food.

Why You Shouldn't Feed Your Cat Dog Food

A dog, unlike a cat, is not an obligate predator, it is rather an omnivore. Digested successfully in the stomach plant food and food of animal origin, while meowing pets digest vegetables and fruits by only 10-15 percent. In addition to this fact, there are other differences in the digestive system of animals.

One of the biggest disadvantages of dog food is the lack of taurine in it. This amino acid is not produced by the body at all, but a cat cannot live without it. With a lack of taurine in food, vision, urinary and nervous systems primarily suffer.

A cat's body needs 15% more protein than a dog. In the feed, the mass fraction of protein is too small to fully satisfy the needs of a meowing pet, especially a young and growing one.

Dog food, like cat food, has vitamins A, B, C, E. But in dog food, the emphasis is on vitamins of group A, while purrs need an increased dose of vitamin E. In addition, excess vitamin A can lead to abnormal formation of the skeleton in kittens during the period of active growth.

The energy value of dog food is too low. In the body of cats, the intensity of biochemical processes is higher, so they eat little and often, unlike dogs, which usually eat twice a day.

Why Owners Choose Dog Food to Feed Cats

First, identical brand dog food is often significantly cheaper than cat food. But do not deceive yourself - having saved on feed, you will soon have to spend money on the services of a veterinarian.

Secondly, dog food is often purchased in large packs, and it is always at hand. But cat food, if desired, can be ordered in a large package, which will last for a long time.

Thirdly, if the purr is faced with the choice of whose bowl to eat, then most often she chooses the dog bowl. But this does not mean that it is healthier or tastier, often the purr simply shows curiosity, and sometimes greed.

How to wean a cat from eating dog food

If the cat has tried dog food, but refuses its own, then you need to solve this problem. It is necessary to isolate the dog bowl from the cat.

The best way out in this situation is after feeding the dog to remove the remnants of food from the bowl in a place inaccessible to the cat. A meowing pet may refuse its food for several days, but if you persist, the animal will never starve to death if at least some food is available.

You can change the brand of cat food to pique your pet's interest in food. It is worth trying to pour new food into the dog's bowl.

Dog food can seriously harm a cat only with long-term, constant feeding. If the pet managed to steal a piece of treat from someone else's bowl, do not be upset - a small amount of dog food will not bring harm to health.

A dog may like cat food, or a cat may be addicted to peeking into the dog's bowl. As a rule, this happens and as a result, some owners begin to feed the cat and dog with the same food.

And if the choice fell on cat food, then the dog will pay with its health for such a master's omission. Because cat food is absolutely contraindicated for a dog. As well as vice versa.

Why can't dogs eat cat food?

Evolutionarily, dogs and cats are completely different types, despite the fact that both are predators and might seem similar. But this is far from the case and the metabolism of these animals is completely different. First of all, they have significantly different levels of glucose in the blood.

In cats, it is much higher and as a result, the cat eats little and often and needs such a diet. One serving per day is enough for a dog. And even if the dog eats every two or three days, she will feel great. The second feature is that the cat vitally needs the amino acid - taurine. And this amino acid is certainly present in all cat food.

It helps in the small intestine to digest fats and protects against cardiovascular diseases. For example, insufficient concentration of taurine in the feed for a cat leads to the development of a fatal heart disease - cardiomyopathy. Representatives of the canine genus independently synthesize taurine from other amino acids - cysteine ​​and methionine, which they, in turn, receive from animal protein.

Thus, extra taurine from cat food for a dog will be extremely harmful. The fact is that in order to give the cat the taurine she needs, manufacturers make a very high percentage of protein in cat food. It helps cats increase the acidity in the stomach, which they need to digest food and synthesize taurine.

This excess protein can lead to some pretty serious health problems in your dog. First of all, the ears (), eyes and skin () suffer, and soon develops. In addition, among small breeds of dogs (namely, they are more likely to be fed with cat food), there are quite a few allergies to protein.

And for such a dog, cat food instantly becomes deadly. Therefore, if there is both a cat and a dog in the house, then it is necessary to put the cat's bowl of food at a level that the dog cannot reach. For example, feed a purring pet on the refrigerator or windowsill.

Can cats eat dog food? Many owners of purring pets ask this question. This is understandable, because dog food is much cheaper than cat food, and some cats love to steal food from their furry “competitors”. Therefore, it is important to understand this issue in detail and give an unambiguous answer to it.

Why do people buy dog ​​food to feed cats?

Some owners believe that it is possible to feed a cat with dog food, and that this will not harm the animal's body.

This happens for the following reasons:

• Dog food is much cheaper than cat food, and stores often make promotions for dog food. Such feeding is fraught with serious complications that will require even greater costs for the treatment of the animal. If the owner is not willing to pay for healthy eating for a cat, then, most likely, he should not get this pet.
• Dog food is sold in large packages and can be stocked up for future use. This reason can be considered insignificant, since cat food can also be ordered in larger packs.
• If a cat and a dog cohabit in a family, it often happens that the first pet eats up the food of the second. Thus, the animal may show curiosity or greed. Dog food often has a more pronounced smell and thus attracts a purring animal. But in no case should such feeding be allowed.
• Suitable dog food can be found in almost every store, with cats the situation is more complicated. For example, if the owner is looking for food for brushing his teeth, then finding it for a purring pet is extremely difficult.

Having met with all of the above reasons, a person concludes for himself that it is not at all necessary to purchase profile food for your pet. Moreover, at first, cats can eat dog food with pleasure and require supplements.

In this situation, you need to know that long-term malnutrition of a cat leads to adverse consequences with its health.

Why not?

Why You Shouldn't Feed Your Cat Dog Food?

• In a dog's stomach, almost all food is digested in the same way. In the feline - ordinary vegetables and fruits are only 15%. This indicator indicates a significant difference in the digestive system of these animals.
• Another reason not to give cats dog food is the lack of taurine in dog food. This amino acid is necessary for felines for vision, the urogenital and nervous systems. But, unfortunately, the body of the animal does not produce this substance.
• The daily requirement of a cat for protein food is 15% higher. There simply isn't enough protein in dog food. In particular, a growing kitten needs protein.
• The difference in vitamins in the feed also does not allow feeding the purring animal with dog food. Cats need an increased dose of vitamin E. This is the main difference in cat food. And in dog food, the emphasis is on group A. An excess of this element leads to improper development of the skeleton of cats.
• Reduced energy value of dog food is unacceptable for cats, as they are recommended to eat often.
• Dry dog ​​food contains approximately 5% fat, while cats need a minimum of 9%.

As a result of malnutrition, the cat becomes sickly and fat. Even the highest quality feed is not able to meet the needs of the animal in proteins and amino acids.

How to keep a cat away from dog food?

It often happens that after trying dog food, the cat does not want to return to the previous diet. This situation should not be left to chance, the problem must be solved as soon as possible, since it is not quite normal for cats to eat dog food.

First of all, a bowl of dog food should be isolated from the cat and try to feed your pets at different times. If this is not possible, then after each feeding of the dog, you need to get rid of the remaining food.

The cat may resist and refuse its food, but sooner or later hunger will force it to eat it. To create an interest in nutrition, you can try changing the food to a product from another manufacturer.

It is important to remember that nothing will happen to a cat with a small dose of dog food, so you should not panic if this happens.

What is fraught with such feeding?

People who decide to feed cats with dog food should understand the dangers of such nutrition.:

• high carbohydrate content in dog food leads to the development of obesity in cats;
• due to a lack of essential amino acids, purring pets develop anemia;
• lack of taurine leads to heart problems, nervous system, reproductive function and vision;
• there are disturbances in the work of the gastrointestinal tract.

It is not necessary to give a cat one for two food with a dog as a treat, since such feeding not only leads to problems with the gastrointestinal tract, but also causes addiction, which you will then have to fight.

The only option for feeding both animals the same food is canned meat. The composition of such a product usually does not include anything superfluous. These foods are good for both cats and dogs. In stores you can find a wide range of such goods, but you should choose it based on the characteristics of your pet's preferences. Cats can eat beef, veal, rabbit and chicken.

Instead of a conclusion

All animals are individual, each has its own needs for nutrition and care. But, giving preference to dog food when feeding a cat, you need to remember that this choice can not only lead to a lack of vitamins and minerals, but also harm the health of the animal.

In addition, some owners themselves regularly give cats dog food, because it is cheaper and seems to consist of the same ingredients as cat food.

According to veterinarians, if a cat eats dog food little and rarely, there will be little harm. But it definitely shouldn't be the mainstay of a cat's diet, and here's why.

Can cats eat dog food?

No, this food is categorically not suitable as a permanent diet for cats, the most necessary component of which is meat. The need of dogs for animal protein is, in general, lower, because for thousands of years of complete dependence on human nutrition, they have adapted to absorb carbohydrates partially from plant components.

Manufacturers take advantage of this, and dog food often contains too many grains, from which the cat's body does not receive nutrients. Thus, if a cat eats dog food all the time, she is deficient in protein, and therefore, in essential amino acids for her, primarily taurine and arginine.

Veterinarians warn that taurine deficiency leads to a host of health problems, including dangerous disease heart - hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. A deficiency of arginine causes hyperammonemia - ammonia poisoning of the body, which can lead to fatal consequences.

In addition, dog food contains less animal fat, and cats do not receive the essential arachidonic acid, which ensures the normal functioning of the reproductive, gastrointestinal and other systems. The lack of active fat-soluble vitamin A (retinol) leads to growth retardation, visual impairment, hair loss.

All these substances are synthesized in the body of a dog, therefore, in the amount necessary for a cat, they are contained only in cat food.

How to avoid problems?

So, the question of whether cats can eat dog food, as you understand, is not worth it at all. This is not a complete meal for them! If the cat is drawn to the dog bowl, then you should think about her own diet. Perhaps it is not complete enough and you need to choose a better feed.

And if eating a dog has become a bad habit for a cat or is a variant of dominant (leadership) behavior and leads to fights at dinner, veterinarians advise the following:

• Feed the animals in different rooms, but at the same time;
• Remove dog food from the bowl 15 to 20 minutes after the dog has eaten. Dogs try to eat everything at once, but the cat will come to the bowl again and again to have a little snack;
• If the dog is large, place the bowl for him on a raised platform, slightly below the level of his head. Only a bowl should be placed there so that the cat cannot jump into it and get to the food;
• Store dry dog ​​food in a tightly sealed plastic container.

Happy owners who keep both a cat and a dog in the same apartment are often occupied with the question: is it possible to give cats dog food? In fact, there is nothing surprising in this - animals are often not averse to profiting from food from a neighboring bowl, and in pet markets, dog food usually costs less than cat food, and it is easier to get it. However, putting a cat on a dog ration is strongly discouraged.

It is possible that some owners will study the composition of dog and cat food from the same manufacturer and will not find significant differences in it. However, this is a false impression - dog food is not suitable for cats for a number of reasons.

Firstly, by their nature, cats are obligate predators, which means that they require mainly protein foods in their diet, namely meat. Dogs, like people, are omnivores - they successfully digest vegetables, cereals and other plant foods, which in sufficient quantity large quantities not absorbed by the body. This is also evidenced by feline physiology: compared to omnivores, they have a shorter intestine and reduced activity of digestive enzymes.

Secondly, cat food contains vital substances in the correct proportion - among them arachidonic acid, vitamins A and B, and, most importantly, taurine. Despite his great importance, the cat's body does not produce this substance, so manufacturers add it to food, and in nature, furry predators get the substance from rodent meat. In dogs, the situation is different: their body is able to synthesize taurine, which means that it is not and should not be in dog food. A lack of taurine in a cat can lead to serious problems - visual impairment (retinal atrophy), digestive disorders, heart failure, not to mention bad coat and teeth.

Therefore, the cat's diet is very different from the dog's, because manufacturers of high-quality feed take into account the needs of pets.

Consequences of malnutrition

Switching to dog food is dangerous for cats with the following problems and diseases:

• obesity - associated with a high content of carbohydrates in the dog's diet;
• anemia, lack of strength and energy - essential amino acids are missing in dog food;
• problems with vision, heart, - lack of taurine;
• digestive disorders.

How to wean a cat off dog food

But what to do if a fluffy pet got into the habit of stealing food from a dog bowl? Here it is already necessary to think not only about the dangers of malnutrition, but also the possibility of a fight with sad consequences for both. In order for the cat to forget about someone else's food as soon as possible, you should follow simple recommendations:

1. Feed your pets at different times. It is better to do this in such a way that the cat does not see that the dog is eating. She can be distracted or simply transferred to another room.
2. Don't leave dog food in the bowl. After eating, the container with the remnants of food should be immediately removed to a place inaccessible to animals. Pour food at night also should not be.
3. Change food. If the cat stubbornly refuses its food, while regularly looking into the dog's bowl, try to buy another food for it - perhaps the old pet is simply tired.

If the cat is still stubborn, you should simply leave the new food in an accessible place and do not give anything else. In a couple of days, the animal will not die of hunger and will most likely start eating.

In addition, you should not give the cat someone else's food as a treat - in small quantities there will be no harm from it, but in this case it is unlikely that you will be able to wean your pet.

1. Always buy food that is appropriate for the age and characteristics of the pet (for example, for pregnant, elderly, neutered cats and cats).
2. If the cat eats "drying", make sure that there is always fresh water in her bowl.
3. Keep an eye on the expiration date of the food and do not give it to the cat if the product is spoiled. Before buying a new package in the store, also check the date of manufacture: do not be tempted to buy an expired product or food with a near-expired shelf life on a promotion
4. With any diet, you need to carefully monitor the condition of your pet. If the cat has symptoms of allergies or indigestion, as well as a dull coat and bad teeth, the food should be changed urgently, after consulting with the veterinarian.

So, dog food has no place in the diet of a cat or a cat. Of course, nothing bad will happen from a few pellets eaten, but if the pet regularly climbs into someone else's bowl, then this behavior must be stopped. Moreover, it is impossible to intentionally feed a cat food for a dog, even for reasons of economy - after all, the amount that will then have to be spent on treatment and recovery will be much more tangible.

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