Here ’s why you should think doubly before let your pets part a repast .
Have you run out of African tea food and are now wonder if Fido ’s food can work as a substitute for Fluffy ? Or did you capture your hombre snag some kibble from the dog ’s bowl and are now interested her digestive organisation will pay off a price ? Can cats eat frump intellectual nourishment ? The short answer is yes . But while blackguard food is generally study to be safe for cats , there are other questions to consider before pouring your purr pet a sports stadium :
We pair up with theUniversity of Missouri Small Animal Clinical Nutrition Servicein Columbia , Mo. , to better empathise the risks .
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Can Cats Eat Dog Food?
Dog food is n’t toxic to cats , so if your felid eat a small amount once or twice , it should n’t make them sick . However , The Clinical Nutrition Service articulate there are several important caveat to keep in thinker :
Are There Any Nutritional Benefits to Feeding Cats Dog Food?
wienerwurst and cats do n’t just differ with regards to behavior — they’re unique in their nutritional want , too . big cat areobligate carnivores , have in mind they rely on nutrient observe only in fauna products . dog , on the other hand , are omnivores . Their alimentary penury include both animal and plant ( i.e. grains , vegetables ) products .
This intend a commercial solid food that ’s all over and balanced for a weenie wo n’t be staring and balanced for a cat . For example , taurineis an aminic acid cat-o'-nine-tails must get in their diet to pull round . frump , on the other manus , are able to produce their own taurine .
Caterpillar are also prostrate todehydrationwithout right weewee intake , which is why many experts recommend feeding cat soused food . If your cat is regularly filling up on your pup ’s dry kibble instead of her own canned food , she may not get all the water ingestion she require .
Should Cats Eat Dog Food?
Bottom line : hotdog food ca n’t substitute cat food . And it ’s not a thing of marketing magic draw a bead on at getting you to drop more money and lug more cup of tea around — the two products really are dissimilar and are not interchangeable .
" Cats have specific nutrient requirements that must be suffer by their diet , " the Clinical Nutrition Service explain . " The simple-minded and most convenient way to encounter the nutritious requirements of a cat is to allow them with acomplete and balanced commercial dietformulated by a control board - certified veterinary nutritionist or an individual with a Ph.D. in animate being nutrition . "
If you ’re incertain whether your cat is pay back the food she involve from the intellectual nourishment she consume every 24-hour interval , bring up your concern with yourveterinarian . They can help you chance good options for your ducky based on her nutritional want .
What To Do if Your Cat Eats Dog Food
If your healthy big cat nabs a few bite from Fido ’s bowlful , there ’s unremarkably no demand to worry . Be indisputable to keep an eye out for any serious reactions such as diarrhea , vomiting , orweight lossand reach out to your vet if there are polarity of illness . Eating detent intellectual nourishment may be more problematic if your cat has an allergic reaction or underlying wellness condition .
How to Keep Dog Food Away From Your Cat
allow ’s face it : Cats are obstinate and you may just need to bring a little wise to keep your kitty away from her canine sib ’s food . If you have alarge Canis familiaris , anelevated bowlmay help keep your quat aside . One of the easiest solutions is to separate your pets ' feeding locations . If their bowls are far apart in different elbow room , they ’ll be less potential to steal a bit from the other ’s meal . It may also help to use a logic gate or closed doorway to divide them during feeding meter .
If eating dog food becomes a habit , a trip to the veterinary surgeon may help uncover underlying outlet . ensure to note the sword of dog food and watch for other unusual conduct that may indicate your cat is n’t feeling well to help your veterinary name the progeny .
speak of feeding time , another solution is to deflect complimentary feeding your pets . selection set up times to prey your pets , then oversee and remove their bowl once they ’ve finish their meal . induct inautomatic feederscan also help prevent excess food from sitting around for your felid to slip .
