Rebecca Manzi Wondering what happens if your cat eats dog food? Well, that develops certain nutritional deficiencies and diseases. This is because the cat is not a small dog and has different nutritional needs and requirements
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Many pet owners believe that cats can eat like small dogs, but this is far from the truth. Cats have their own unique nutritional requirements, different from dogs. Feeding a cat dog food can lead to dangerous nutritional deficiencies and serious health issues.
While it’s generally harmless if a cat occasionally steals a kibble or licks the dog’s bowl, the real problem arises when the majority of a cat’s diet consists of dog food. This can lead to significant nutritional deficiencies.
Why cats can’t eat dog food
Although both cats and dogs are carnivores by nature, there is a fundamental difference: cats are obligate carnivores, much like ferrets, while dogs are often considered omnivores or opportunistic carnivores.
This distinction means that cats and dogs have vastly different nutritional needs. Whether it’s commercial cat food (kibble or wet food) or homemade diets, a cat’s diet must include:
- Taurine: Cats require more taurine than dogs. In the wild, taurine is found in large amounts in raw meat. Commercial cat foods are fortified with taurine to meet a cat’s dietary needs, while dog food is not. If a cat consistently eats dog food, it will suffer from a taurine deficiency.
- Proteins: Cats need more high-quality proteins daily than dogs. Cat food contains more protein than dog food. A cat eating dog food will eventually experience a protein deficiency.
- Arachidonic Acid: Dogs can produce this essential fatty acid from other fats, but cats cannot. In nature, cats get it from their prey. Commercial cat foods add arachidonic acid, while dog food does not. A cat fed dog food will develop a deficiency of this vital nutrient.
What happens when a cat eats dog food?
Generally, if given a choice, a cat is unlikely to eat dog food. Dog food has a lower protein content and isn’t as appealing to cats, who are very particular about their food. However, in the absence of alternatives, a cat might reluctantly consume dog food. Over time, this can result in several serious health issues:
- Dilated cardiomyopathy with heart failure due to taurine deficiency
- Blindness and deafness from taurine deficiency
- Growth delays caused by taurine deficiency
- Stunted growth due to taurine, arachidonic acid, and protein deficiencies
- Dandruff, poor coat quality, and hair loss from arachidonic acid deficiency
- Anemia and reproductive problems due to a lack of arachidonic acid
- Overweight and obesity due to the higher carbohydrate content in dog food
How to prevent your cat from eating dog food
By now, it’s clear that cats should not be fed dog food. But what if you have both a cat and a dog living together? It can be tricky to keep the cat away from the dog’s food bowl.
Here are some tips to prevent this:
- Avoid leaving food out all the time. Instead, feed them at scheduled times.
- Place the cat and dog bowls far apart, and ensure the dog finishes its food.
- Put the cat’s bowl in an elevated spot where the dog can’t reach it.
- Use automatic dog bowls that only open when the dog approaches, and close when the dog leaves.
