Have you ever thought about feeding your playful pooch cat food? While dogs and cats are both cute bundles of fur, these two pets have different digestive systems. Canned dog food has a specific set of vitamins and nutrients different from that made for cats.
So, can I offer my dog to eat cat foods? Well, even though it might seem convenient to feed both Snowball and Rover the same foods, it’s not wise to do! This can end up doing more harm than good, causing your pet undue discomfort.
Being a loyal pet owner myself, I want to share this information with others. Ensuring the health and well-being of their forever friends. But, it’s fine if your dog should grab a couple of nibbles here and there! That is as long as they don’t overindulge.
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Reasons Dogs Prefer Canned and Dry Cat Food
From a doggies perspective, cat food is much more appealing and different from the norm. In the first place, it’s been sitting out all day, making for prime choice feeding.
Whereas, dog food is usually provided at specific mealtimes and picked up a short time later. Plus, cat foods contain greater levels of protein and are more flavorful than dog food. Thus, making them irresistible to canine companions!
Should Dog’s Get Cat Food Every Day?
Though tiny nibbles of your kitty cat’s food won’t harm your pooch unless he/she is eating it as a primary diet. Then, this could produce serious health problems over an extended period of time.
Cats and dogs have different nutritional requirements from one another. What’s ideal for felines isn’t always healthy for young pups.
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Why Is Cat Food Harmful To Dogs?
Cats are carnivores at heart, requiring a high-protein diet consisting of meat. Whereas, dogs are omnivores that need a wide variety of whole grains in their diet. It’s best to avoid feeding your dog cat food of any kind.
For this can lead to more serious health ailments like:
- Digestive Problems
- Loose or Hardened Stool Movements
- Problems Keeping Food Down
- Kidney Failure
- Major Weight Gain Due to High-fat Content In Food
- Malnutrition Because of a Lack of Essential Vitamins
But, when there’s both a cat and dog under the same roof it’s only natural for them to investigate each other’s food! One way of avoiding this is by feeding them both in separate rooms. This also pertains to snack-time as well!
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Preventing Dogs From Eating Cat Food
One effective way to prevent your pooch from sneak-eating out of the cat’s food dish is by keeping it out of reach.
If you have a small or medium breed dog, then a baby gate that your cat can easily go through or jump over should work great.
This will give them access to their food but remain out of reach to Fido. You can learn more from Amazon
Discouraging Their Behavior
Some dogs are more obedient than others and react when scolded with bad behavior. If your dog approaches the cat’s food bowl, try using a stern voice and let them know this is not allowed.
You can also take a spray bottle of water and squirt their snout to discourage them as well.
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Other Solutions To Take Into Consideration
Another thing you can try is placing your cat’s food bowl at an elevated level which the dog cannot get to.
But, if there’s limited room in your home another option available is using a pet crate during meals.
Common Questions About Dogs
Dining On Cat Food
#Why Do Dogs Like to Eat Cat Food?
Dogs tend to enjoy the flavor of cat food and eat it because they love the taste. But, some canines like the appeal of sneaking that which they’re not allowed to have. Thus, taking on the role of valued reward and reinforcing their love of the said cat food.
Another reason dogs choose to dine on cat food is its amazing aroma.
This is due to their uncanny sense of smell and cat foods fragrant smell is much more enticing to the snout.
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#What If I Put Cat Food Into My Dog’s Food Bowl By Mistake?
Once you realize that the cat’s food is actually in the dog’s feeding dish it’s best to pick up their dog immediately.
Replacing it with their proper nutritional meal.
This will prevent your dog from getting an acquired taste for feline cuisine.
#Does Cat Food Make Dog’s Develop Blindness?
While cat food does not cause blindness in dogs it can cause them to develop serious health problems.
On the other hand, should your cat eat the dog’s food they become prone to blindness and other health conditions as well.
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#Can Cat Food Kill My Dog?
Due to their high-fat content cat food is irresistible to dogs. Though these foods are not toxic when consumed they still pose a serious threat to your canine.
Cat food won’t kill a dog but can cause gastrointestinal problems and pancreatitis
Which Specific Part of This Article Was Most Insightful?
I hope the above information was helpful to you. As a loyal pet owner, I am dedicated to providing others with factual information about pets.
Which topic of discussion did you already know about? Is there anything you would like more information on? If you have any recommendations on this topic please feel free to leave any comments below.
Further Readings
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2. Best Dog Food For Border Collie
3. Best Dog Food For German Shepherd
4. Best Dog Food For Poodles
5. 31 Best Dog Foods To Gain Weight And Muscles
6. Can Dogs Eat Raw Or Cooked Lobsters, Shrimps, And Prawns?
7. Best Dog Food For Large Breeds
8. Best Dog Foods For Pitbulls
9. Best Dog Food For Great Pyrenees
10. Best Dog Food For American Bulldogs
11. How To Choose The Right Food For Your Dog? (18 Super Tips)
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