Can cats be given dog food: everything the owner needs to know. Is it possible to give cat food to a dog, what will happen if the dog eats cat food

Contrary to popular belief that dogs and cats are eternal enemies, these animals are quite capable of living peacefully in the same home. And often owners watch with emotion how their very different pets not only sleep on the same sofa, but also eat food from the same bowl. At the same time, most owners do not pay attention to the fact that the dog enjoys eating cat food without even suspecting that such food can be harmful to the health of their four-legged pet. Why can’t you feed your dog dry cat food and how to stop him from eating from a cat’s bowl?

Nutritional features of cats and dogs

Both cats and dogs are carnivores by nature, so at first glance it may seem that their diet should be the same and these animals can be fed the same food. But this is far from true, because digestive system and the metabolism of cats and dogs is significantly different.

Dogs and cats have completely different digestive systems.

Representatives cat kingdom blood glucose levels are much higher than in dogs. Because of high level glucose in cats accelerated metabolism, so they eat often during the day, but in small portions. But for the dog to satisfy his hunger and wellness It is enough to eat once a day.

Another difference in the diet of these animals is that the lion's share cat diet should be meat products, without which the normal functioning of their body is impossible. Dogs can easily do without meat and feel great on a plant-based diet, eating only porridge and vegetables.

Despite the fact that the menu of cats and dogs should be different, do not forget that both pets need the right balanced diet, containing minerals and vitamins necessary for animal health.

Ready-made cat and dog food: is there a difference?

Taurine added to cat food, may harm the dog.

Manufacturers ready-made feed for pets, always take into account that the body and digestive system of cats and dogs are different. Therefore, when preparing animal food, it is added to the feed. exactly that set useful substances and microelements, which are necessary for cats, but will be harmful for dogs and vice versa.

For example, ready-made cat food contains a substance called taurine, with the help of which the cat’s stomach absorbs and digests food more easily. The dog's digestive system produces enough taurine on its own, so its excess can lead to problems with the gastrointestinal tract in dogs.

High protein content

Cats need protein in their diet.

We should not forget the fact that cats because accelerated exchange substances require a high protein diet and in cat food its share varies between 50–70%. And in ready-made dog food, the protein level is from 20 to 30%, so the difference is quite noticeable.

Stones in the kidneys

Another difference between ready meals for these animals is that cat food is additionally acidified so that furry creatures do not form kidney stones. Like this for doggies increased acidity feed will only do harm and can even lead to problems with the musculoskeletal system.

To prevent kidney stones, cat food is acidified.

Vitamin difference

Feline and dog food and content vitamin B, which is necessary for cats, while dogs need it less. In turn, food for felines contains almost no vitamin E and zinc, which doggies can’t do without.

Universal ready-made feed, suitable for good nutrition cats and dogs do not exist, so they should be fed separately and only with the food that is intended for each of these pets.

There is no food that is suitable for cats and dogs.

Why cat food is bad for dogs

If a dog regularly eats food from a cat’s bowl, this can lead not only to disruption of the digestive system of a four-legged pet, but also to more serious problems, for example, kidneys or musculoskeletal system.

Increased protein content in cat food can be. Symptoms appear allergic reaction in different ways: from purulent ulcers and skin rashes to and. Small children are especially susceptible to protein allergies. ornamental breeds dogs.
Due to the fact that cat food is acidified, dogs after such a diet may suffer from heartburn and indigestion .
Food made specifically for cats is very high in calories and abuse of it leads to dogs becoming dial quickly excess weight, which can even lead to obesity.
Due to a lack of vitamin E and zinc reduces the dog's immunity which makes him vulnerable to various kinds diseases.
In cat food high content fats and proteins and virtually no carbohydrates. And the dogs get energy from carbohydrates and if there are few of them, then the animal quickly gets tired and becomes lethargic and apathetic.
Cat food contains little fiber, which dogs need for normal digestion. As a result, such a diet will lead to the fact that the four-legged pet will suffer from diarrhea or constipation .

If your dog regularly eats cat food, it will cause digestive problems.

Don't forget that the body of older dogs, pregnant females and small puppies reacts especially sharply to low-quality or incorrectly selected food. Therefore, the nutrition of such pets should be approached with all responsibility and remember that under no circumstances should they be fed cat food.

Can dogs eat cat food occasionally?

Of course, if a dog occasionally eats from a cat’s bowl, then irreparable there will be no harm to his health . But if the owner frivolously allows the dog to regularly consume such food, then such carelessness will lead to the development various diseases In this case, the animal cannot do without the help of a veterinarian.

If the dog has eaten cat food a couple of times, there will be no harm.

Ways to wean a dog off cat food

What should you do if your four-legged friend is addicted to cat food and goes on a hunger strike when the owner tries to change his menu? Only one - do not follow the dog’s lead and wean him from the habit of looking into the cat’s bowl. This may take a lot of time, but we are talking about the health of the pet, so weaning it off junk food not a whim of the owner, but an urgent need.

You need to feed your pets different time . The first step is to feed the dog, and then pour the food into the cat's bowl. When the cat is eating, it is advisable to distract the dog with something at this time, for example, start playing with him in another room fun game or take him for a walk.
Place the cat's plate in a place where the dog cannot reach . A window sill (if the dog is small), a refrigerator or a chest of drawers are suitable for this purpose. This will create some inconvenience for both the cat and the owner, but the owner will be sure that the cunning pet will not be able to sneak in some forbidden food.
To prevent your four-legged pet from being tempted to eat cat food when the owner is not around, Do not leave food in the bowl for furry pet for the night . By the way, such a restriction will also benefit the cat, since he will have a better appetite in the morning.
In no case Do not give your dog dry kibble intended for cats as a reward.. For a successfully executed command, you can treat the dog with a piece of sweet cookie or caramel.
Dogs are quite obedient pets, so the owner can try to wean the animal off cat food commands “no” or “fu”. Orders should be given the moment the dog approaches the cat's bowl.

While the cat is eating, you can go for a walk with the dog.

Some dogs can be very stubborn and will outright refuse other food when trying to wean them off cat food. The owner will have to show toughness and, no matter how hard it is, not pay attention to the pet’s eyes full of pity and reproach. Ultimately, hunger will take its toll, and the dog will be forced to eat the food offered by the owner.

conclusions

The mood, activity and health of the dog depend on the right food. Therefore, you cannot indulge the whims of your four-legged friend and feed him the food that he likes, but at the same time it can harm the animal’s body! Of course, if the dog is in in rare cases feast on a cat's bowl, there will be no noticeable harm to his body. The main thing is to make sure that this does not become a habit for the animal, and then the pet will always be healthy and full of strength.

A dog's activity depends on the food it eats.

Video about the consequences of feeding a dog cat food

All ours four-legged friends, be it cats, dogs, hamsters, rats - belong to the class of mammals. Diet and eating habits are determined by many factors, such as species, habitat, seasonal conditions, and even hierarchical position.

The entire diet was formed over tens of thousands of years, which ultimately allowed the individual to survive and pass on its genetic material to future generations.

But nature sometimes dictates its own rules - changing the conditions around us, which forces us to consume unusual food in order to survive. In this article we will take a detailed look at what a dog can and cannot eat, what the consequences and complications may be.

In the diet

Let's start with the fact that dogs are herd animals, and cats are solitary individuals. The process of evolution has formed certain rules:

Cats are exclusively carnivores, consuming meat or fish.
Dogs sometimes even eat vegetables(potatoes or cucumbers are often included in a dog's diet), but this does not mean that they are omnivores. There are a number of products that are strictly prohibited.
Cats eat much less often, up to once a day. In the wild, lions and tigers eat only when absolutely necessary, and in order to save energy, they rest in all their free time.
Dogs were on the move all the time. For example, wolf packs migrated from place to place, in search of shelter or places rich in prey. Accordingly, more energy was spent.
Cats have a longer torso in relation to the body, and therefore more elongated intestines, thanks to which they can digest large amounts of food at one time.
Dogs have average intestinal length, since after eating they did not have the opportunity to rest for the rest of the time.
In dog packs it can be traced clear hierarchy: the leader and retinue get the bulk of the food, gamma and omega individuals eat last.
Cats, share food almost equally. The male forages for food, which the cubs and female share equally.

In the digestive system

Dogs are adapted to digest raw meat, bones, cartilage, offal, and some inorganic elements, while cats consume low-fat meat, separating it from bones and other parts of the victim’s body.

Feed manufacturers take into account what is different about the digestive system– in cats it has an acidic environment, and in dogs it is alkaline. Cat food can cause heartburn and indigestion in some cases.

REFERENCE! Also, cats can absorb salty food and fish. This fact is determined by the habitat. Cats, unlike dogs, did not pose a great danger to humans, so they could live in cities where they began to be fed fish. In the wild, cats, of course, do not fish, and do not even know how to swim.

Age factor

Depending on the age, the animal’s body requires different amounts of nutrients.

After birth, puppies eat only mother's milk so that the microflora of the stomach and intestines can form without problems. Milk is easily digested and contains all the necessary elements.
When the baby teeth formed- We need to provide him with solid food. Puppy food contains: increased amount minerals and bone meal, which will provide proper development jaw apparatus and dental health. At the same time, the amount of protein and fat should not be too large so as not to overload the digestive system.
For adults the amount of minerals is reduced to average levels to prevent the development of tartar and stone deposits inside the body. The amount of protein is increased to supply the body with resources for active image life and rapid regeneration.
For pregnant and lactating dogs the food contains an increased amount of vitamins to supply the baby necessary elements. Slightly increased amount of fat as energy expenditure increases during pregnancy.
For aged dogs the feed is balanced in such a way that all components are supplied in equal proportions.

Economy or premium?

These two types of food are radically different:

Economy class food is food for every day. They have cheap price, conditioned low quality components of the composition. Instead of a cereal or corn base, there may be soy, starch, and offal plant origin. The meat part takes up no more than 20%.
Premium food – treats, which are used to reward animals for completed tasks during training, or simply make pets happy from time to time. The price of such feeds is quite high, the feed components are high-quality and expensive, the share of meat components is 70-80%.

Composition of dry and wet

As mentioned above, cats consume fish, so fish, salts and salted meat are added to dry cat food. The amount of protein in them is quite high, and practically no fat. Canned food contains a small amount of vegetables, as well as thick broth.

Dry dog food contains poultry, rabbit and beef. Protein and fat are in approximately equal proportions. Canned food is made from animal meat, sometimes crackers or pieces of meat jelly are added.

Is it possible for dogs?

Everything is individual and situational. Cat food contains a lot of protein, which can slow down your dog's digestion process. But if your pet is active, then his body needs just this amount of protein. Another question is whether the dog’s body can digest fish and salty foods?

REFERENCE! We often hear that if a dog eats something, then its body needs it. Let's remember that dogs eat out of garbage cans out of curiosity. Like all animals, they explore the world around them and try something new. This factor is inherent in all living beings; it can solve the problem of lack of food in difficult times.

In other words, if a dog, during a period of hunger, tried food from the trash and came to the conclusion that it helped her survive, this information will be passed on to future generations, continuing the lineage and increasing the chances of interspecific competition.

If your pet I ate cat food once, this may cause minor changes in digestion, but will not lead to serious problems.

In cases systematic use, gastrointestinal tract sooner or later it will adapt to digesting these products.

But this doesn't always happen, monitor your pet's feces and condition If you notice that his behavior and well-being have changed for the worse, you need to stop feeding him cat food and take him to a veterinary clinic.

If there is no other

If you are standing in front of a shelf where only cat food remains, then choose based on the following factors:

No cheap components(soybeans, flour, vegetable by-products).
Look at the price. It is better to take a small package of premium quality so as not to risk your pet’s health.
They also produce meat food and various assorted food for cats. Choose food without fish and salts.
pay attention to amount of protein, it should not exceed 15-20 grams per 100 grams of dry product.
If it contains taurine, such food can be given, but in smaller quantities, since taurine is produced by the dog’s body and has a mechanism feedback with histamine. The more taurine, the less histamine. This means that in case of allergies, external signs(scabies, rash, hair loss) will not appear, and the internal ones will proceed in full. This is dangerous because it can start hidden illness V advanced stage, which will be more difficult to cure.

Useful video

Conclusion and conclusions

We all love to experiment, try something new and unusual for ourselves. So that experiments do not turn into a negative experience and do not leave bad memories, make changes slowly, observe your pet’s reaction, its mood, activity, and health indicators.

Perhaps your animal has a special combination of breed and body structure that needs exotic and unusual products nutrition.

In contact with

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

According to veterinarians, if a cat eats dog food little and rarely, there will be no particular harm. But it definitely shouldn’t become the basis of a cat’s diet, and here’s why.

Can cats eat dog food?

No, this food is absolutely not suitable as a regular diet for cats, the most necessary component of their diet is meat. Dogs’ need for animal protein is, in general, lower, because over thousands of years of complete dependence on humans for nutrition, they have adapted to absorb carbohydrates partially from plant components.

Manufacturers take advantage of this, and dog foods often contain too many grains, from which the cat's body does not receive nutrients. Thus, if a cat eats dog food constantly, it experiences a deficiency of protein, and therefore of vital amino acids, primarily taurine and arginine.

Veterinarians warn that taurine deficiency leads to a whole range of health problems, including dangerous disease hearts - hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Arginine deficiency causes hyperammonemia - ammonia poisoning of the body, which can lead to fatal consequences.

In addition, dog foods contain less animal fat, and cats do not receive the essential arachidonic acid, which provides normal work reproductive, gastrointestinal and other systems. Lack of active fat-soluble vitamin A (retinol) leads to growth retardation, blurred vision, and hair loss.

All these substances are synthesized in the dog’s body, so they are only found in cat food in the quantities required for a cat.

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 complete nutrition for them! If your cat is drawn to the dog bowl, then you should think about its own diet. Perhaps it is not complete enough and you need to choose better quality food.

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

Feed animals in different rooms, but at the same time;
Remove dog food from the bowl 15 to 20 minutes after the animal eats. Dogs try to eat everything at once, but a cat will go to the bowl again and again to have a little snack;
If your dog is large, place the bowl on a raised surface, slightly below head level. Only the bowl should fit there so that the cat cannot jump in there and get to the food;
Store dry dog food in a tightly sealed plastic container.

Many cat owners are interested in the question of whether dog food is suitable for their pet. Dry food is becoming increasingly popular among pet owners, as they are very convenient to use. They do not spoil for a long time, they do not need to be cooked. If the product is manufactured according to all requirements, it will be balanced. This means that the cat will receive the complex of nutrients that it needs. Not so long ago, there were even foods developed specifically for sick cats or those prone to allergies. But is dog food suitable for these animals, or is it still not worth giving?

Relevance of the issue

On the one hand, the question of whether it is possible to feed a cat ready-made dog food may cause confusion. Why not just feed them food meant for them? But this question still comes up. There are several reasons for this.

Dog food is often cheaper when comparing prices from one specific manufacturer.
Due to the fact that dog food is not sold out as actively as cat food, stores organize regular promotions. This makes dog food even cheaper. This is a big temptation for cat owners. They stock up on such food for a long period.
If both a dog and a cat live in the house, and the owner buys dry food for both, you can often notice that the cat steals food from the dog.

As a result, the owner comes to the conclusion that there will be nothing wrong if the cat eats dog food. Moreover, the cat eats it with such pleasure. Some of them even refuse their food, demanding dog treats. Why is this happening?

This may occur due to a lack of vitamins and other substances in the body due to poor nutrition. The animal will rush at any Tasty food. Maybe he attracts her this way because of the more appetizing smell. There may be several reasons, and they need to be identified.

General rules

Ready-made food has its pros and cons. But since modern people Often there is simply no time to prepare food for animals, so they still buy ready-made food. But, if there is such an opportunity, then the animal can be fed with food prepared independently.

Industrial feed has its own classification. By class, it can be economy (that is, cheap), premium (food for every day). There is also holistic and super-premium food. The types can be divided into wet, dry and semi-moist.

Super premium food has it all necessary substances. You can alternate feeding different types stern. It is advisable that they be from the same company.

If you buy economy and premium, it is important to remember that they may contain preservatives, and they will contain fewer important substances and vitamins. But premium is suitable for daily use if the animal is healthy.

You should be careful with economy food, because this is the riskiest option. Manufacturers advertise it and install it low price. But such food can harm your pet's health. Many people buy it out of ignorance, and some simply because they don’t have money for quality food. In this case, it is better to choose natural food.

Today there are many varieties of food on the shelves of pet stores. You can choose the right one even for a very capricious pet. They love it very much wet food. Choosing the dry option can be a little trickier since it doesn't smell as good.

There are several reasons why a buyer chooses dry food. It is cheaper than wet and semi-moist. In addition, it will definitely not spoil if the pet does not finish the portion. In this case, you can even install an automatic feeder.

The disadvantage of the dry look is that when constant use The animal's teeth deteriorate. When a cat is young, this is not noticeable, but as they get older, their condition becomes much worse. Veterinarians also say that eating only dry food can lead to obesity and intestinal disorders. In addition, it often happens that the animal gets used to dry food. He becomes addicted. The cat will starve, waiting for its favorite food.

Try to buy food famous brand which has a good reputation.
Pay attention to special lines that are designed for sick, pregnant cats, or those suffering from allergies.
The packaging should contain information that everyone can understand. Study the composition and place of production.
The package of food must also have a barcode, information about the manufacturer and supplier, and a logo.
Find the lot number and expiration date on the package.
Choose food that is intended for animals with the appropriate parameters. Remember that there are many species now. Food should be selected according to age and weight. There are also special feed for various breeds.
To prevent your cat from gaining excess weight, calculate its caloric intake. Per 1 kg of animal weight no more than 90 kcal.
Don't give your cat dog food. If you see information that it is universal, it is better to refuse such a product.
Take a closer look at what kind of food your pet likes.
You should not mix food produced by different companies.
Do not add groundbait to high-grade food.

At first glance, there is nothing wrong with this. The cat eats this food and does not have any problems. side effects or illnesses. But this is only at the beginning. If this diet continues long time, then the consequences will still occur. Few people will be able to understand that the reason for the changes is precisely this type of nutrition.

We list the main dangerous consequences:

Over time, the cat will lose its muscle mass. She will begin to gain weight and become obese. This is due to the fact that cats need proteins in large quantities because they are predators. And dogs are more omnivorous. Investigator, and the composition of the feed for them is developed differently. Dog food is high in carbohydrates, as dogs expend more energy during walks and exercise.
Feeding your cat dog food will lead to heart problems and poor vision. Cat food contains taurine, which is not found in dog food. This amino acid is important because it affects metabolism.
The cat's digestion will be impaired, since dog food contains more components of plant origin.
The coat will deteriorate as there will be a lack of fat.
Anemia and weakness. This is due to the fact that the cat's body does not produce enough amino acids. That's why eggs are added to cat food.
Another important point– this is a lack of B vitamins. Much less of it is added to dog food than to cat food. And if the cat lacks them, this can lead to serious violations in the pet's body.

As a result, we can say that feeding your cat dog food in order to save money is highly not recommended. These types of animals have completely different needs and characteristics. If you can’t afford quality food, it’s better to cook your own food. It won't cost more, and once it becomes a habit, it won't take much time.

Many people live with cats and dogs all their lives, and do not think at all that they are feeding them incorrectly. We, too, were mistaken about this for a long time. For the first time, we began to think that we were feeding our cats incorrectly only when they began to get sick, and the symptoms were all very similar. That's when we began to become interested in the nutrition of cats and dogs. The big discovery for us was that the diet of cats is completely different from the diet of dogs. But all our lives we have had both. And the question is whether it is possible to feed a cat dog food, we didn’t have any problems. Although, looking at the prices of industrial feed, some doubt still crept in. It’s somehow strange that dog food is much cheaper than cat food.

How is a cat different from a dog and why do they eat differently?

We drew all the information on the nutrition of our pets from foreign literature, because... they contain all the information based on many years scientific observations. It turned out that everything about dog nutrition has been well studied and industrial feed They are quite suitable if they are produced by trusted companies and all storage standards are met.

But there are still disputes with industrial cat nutrition even abroad.

Cats and dogs are completely different animals and their nutritional needs are also different. Dogs are omnivores and can eat nutrients, both from plants and animals.

Unlike dogs, cats are pure carnivores, which means they should only eat animal-based proteins. A cat cannot digest plant proteins. More added to dog food vegetable proteins, that's why they are cheaper.

As is known, animal-based proteins such as meat and by-products from meat, consist of 23 types of amino acids. Without 11 of them, a cat simply cannot live, because its body cannot synthesize them.

One of these essential amino acids is taurine, which dogs can synthesize themselves. Therefore, taurine is not added to dog food. A cat without this amino acid can go blind and develop heart failure.

Also from animal fats, cats receive arachidonic and linoleic acid, which they need to maintain fur and kidneys. Dogs only need linoleic acid and therefore arachidic acid is not added to dog food.

Dogs need much less folic acid, B vitamins, including niacin and thiamine. There are also much less of them in dog food than a cat needs.

What can lead to dog food when feeding it to a cat?

If a cat eats dog food for a long time, this can lead to diseases such as heart problems, deafness, blindness, seizures, hair loss, infertility and even lethargy. IN best case scenario The cat will have constant diarrhea.