I’m sure that you’ve seen the memes where cats are eating all sorts of things, like pizza or bananas. Can they eat dog food? The answer is yes!
However, it is not recommended because many brands have ingredients which are toxic to cats. It’s safest to stick with cat food for your kitty if he/she has a known intolerance to any types of foods.
If there isn’t an allergy present, then it’s okay for them to indulge in something different every now and then. You can also read this article for more information on what you should be looking out for when feeding your pet.
1. Can Cats Safely Eat Dog Food Long-Term?
The answer is simple No, because dog food contains more fat and protein than cat food does, it is not recommended to be fed long-term (but a little bit won’t hurt).
The reason why more protein and fat is needed for dogs is because they are working animals and need more energy than cats do. Cats, on the other hand, are usually inside cats who take naps all day.
So, that being said, if your cat is okay with eating dog food once in a while, you can give it to them for lunch or dinner. But make sure you do not overdo it because there are some ingredients which are toxic to cats.
Here’s a list of ingredients which are toxic to cats:
- Chocolate
- Onions
- Grapes
- Salt & salty foods. Even just a tiny bit can cause kidney damage in cats, so it is best to avoid them altogether.
As we said before, dog food contains more protein and fat than cat food, so this is why it’s not recommended to be given as a regular diet for cats.
2. Can Cats Eat Dog Food When They Are Having Diarrhea Or Upset Stomachs?
There are some instances when you can give your cat dog food, but it has to be done at the right time.
If your cat is having diarrhea or if their stomach is upset, then you should give them (only for a day or two) bland food like boiled chicken and rice. If you do not have any of this on hand, then you can give them puppy food because it is similar to the ingredients in the list above, minus the salt.
There are instances when your cat will be having diarrhea because they ate something poisonous (like chocolate), but if it’s due to another reason, then only give your cat bland food if they need it.
After their symptoms go away (which can be as quick as a day or as long as a few days), you will want to slowly introduce them back to cat food. You can also try giving them dog food again and see if there’s any change, but make sure that the dog food doesn’t have any of the ingredients which are toxic to cats.
3. Can Cats Eat Dog Treats?
The answer is no, it’s best not to give your cat treats from dogs because there are some ingredients which can be harmful to them. Even if they are healthy for dogs, they might not be healthy for cats.
As we said before, dog food has more protein and fat than cat food does. This means that the treats will probably have a high content of these ingredients as well. Treats with higher protein can cause health problems such as diabetes and kidney disease in cats, so try to avoid them altogether if your cat is not in the best health.
4. Can I Give My Cat to Eat Dog Food To Help Them Gain Weight?
The answer is no, if your cat needs to gain weight then you will want to look for high-quality cat food which has more protein and fat. If you do not know where to get better quality food, or need some recommendations, then you can check out this article.
5. Can Dogs Eat Cat Food?
The answer is yes, but it’s best to stick with dog food because there are some ingredients which are toxic to dogs (just like the ones that are toxic to cats). Each animal needs different ingredients for their bodies and yours will thank you for feeding them high-quality food which is specially made for their species.
You should always ask a vet who will tell you whether or not your dog deserves some cat food because there might be an ingredient which is not good for them.
6. Can A Cat Eat Dog Food On An Empty Stomach?
Some studies have shown that it’s best to feed your cat food which is high in protein and fat because it will help them maintain a healthy weight and balanced diet.
It doesn’t matter if you feed them cat food or dog food because as long as they are high in those ingredients, your cat will be okay.
But as we said before, it’s best to avoid dog food altogether if your cat can eat cat food without any problems.
Have you ever given your cat’s dog food? If so, how were their reactions and what kind of food did you give them? Let us know in the comments section below.
7. What’s the difference between dog food and cat food?
The difference between dog food and cat food is basically the ingredients which are in them. Dog food has more protein and fat than cat food does, so this is why it’s not recommended to be given as a regular diet for cats.
As we said before, dog food contains more protein and fat than cat food, so this makes them very different from each other.
