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Can Cats Eat Dog Food – Discover if there are any potential health issues. If you’re a cat owner, you might be wondering whether it is safe to feed your cat dog food. The good news is that small amounts of dog food are not likely to harm your cat. However, feeding your cat dog food over an extended period can lead to complications. Although both cat and dog food look similar, there are key differences between them.
Can Cats Eat Dog Food? What You Need to Know
Understanding the Nutritional Needs of Cats
Cats are classified as obligate carnivores, meaning that they require animal protein to survive. Dog food does not contain enough protein, taurine, vitamins, and minerals to ensure good health in cats. Additionally, the calorie, fat, and water contents of dog food may not be appropriate for cats.
Can Cats Eat Dog Food? What You Need to Know
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has established guidelines for the production of animal feed and pet food. These guidelines help to determine which pet food is both complete and balanced for particular species and stages of life. Foods with the AAFCO seal are considered to be complete and balanced for the recommended life stage.
AAFCO recommends that only cat food with its seal be fed to cats. When choosing a food for your kitten, pregnant, or nursing cat, select one labeled “for growth” or “for all life stages.”
What is the Best Food for Cats?
Several types of commercial cat food are available, including dry, canned, and raw food. However, these differ greatly in composition from their dog food equivalents.
Many experts recommend feeding wet cat food, either entirely or in combination with dry food, to help maintain good hydration, reduce carbohydrate intake, and promote a healthy urinary tract. Cats don’t require carbohydrates to thrive, and cat foods are generally much lower in this macronutrient than dog food. High carbohydrate intake in cats can lead to obesity and diabetes. Since cats don’t drink enough water to remain hydrated, urinary tract, and kidney problems can arise.
Can Cats Eat Dog Food? What You Need to Know
Despite the benefits of wet food, some cats prefer dry food and might not consume enough wet food. Some cats become addicted to dry food and need time to be gradually transitioned to wet food for health benefits. If you are unsure whether your cat requires wet food or dry kibble, your veterinarian can help you make an informed decision.
Raw cat food has become increasingly popular because it is believed that the diet closely resembles the food eaten by cats when in the wild. Many cats enjoy raw food and can thrive on it. However, there are risks associated with feeding raw meat because of food-borne pathogens. Although most cats can digest and tolerate such pathogens, cross-contamination can lead to the infection of humans in the home.
If you want to learn more about feeding raw food to cats, talk to your veterinarian for advice. Pre-prepared raw food diets for cats have fewer plant-based ingredients and more amino acids than their canine counterparts.
What to Do If Your Cat Eats Dog Food
If your cat has eaten only a few bites of dog food, it’s probably not a cause for concern. However, watch out for symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, inappropriate elimination, weight loss, or poor coat quality. If these persist, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Eating dog food might be problematic if your cat has an allergy, a sensitive stomach, or a particular health problem. Note what your cat ate and speak to your veterinarian about any possible health implications.
Contact your veterinarian if you notice that your cat has been consistently eating large amounts of dog food. Your cat may require a thorough medical examination and laboratory tests to identify the effects of malnutrition on their health.
To prevent your cat from ingesting dog food, keep it out of reach, and pick up leftover feeding bowls after meals. Avoid free-feeding for all pets in the home.
