Have you ever caught your dog chomping down on your cat’s food – or vice versa – and wondered, should they be eating that? Can dogs eat cat food? And can cats eat dog food? Could it be harmful? And how can you discourage the behaviour?
In this article, with the help of our expert Anna Ewers Clark BVetMed BSc CertAVP MRCVS, Veterinary Lead for Research Standards and Communications at Blue Cross, we look at whether it is safe for a dog to consume cat food (or for a cat to eat dog food), what to do if your pets have raided each other’s food bowls, and what you can do to prevent it happening in the future.
Can dogs eat cat food?
The short answer is yes. If your dog eats your cat’s food or a cat treat occasionally, it is unlikely to cause them harm.
However, you should not regularly feed dogs cat food – or cats dog food – as they are different species and therefore have different nutritional needs (see Anna’s advice below).
Dogs are often particularly tempted by cat food and cat treats because they generally have a stronger smell and taste and are meatier. Yet, it is inadvisable to purposefully give dogs food that is meant for cats, as it can give them an appetite for it – creating a habit that could be difficult to break.
Is cat food bad for dogs?
If fed in the long-term, then yes, because cat food is not made with the correct balance of nutrients a dog needs to thrive (cats are carnivores while dogs are omnivores).
While infrequent sampling of a cat’s dinner may not cause any problems, if your pooch is regularly eating cat food it could cause digestive problems, kidney problems, liver problems, obesity and pancreatitis.
If you’re concerned your pooch is suffering, speak to your vet. Pancreatitis, for example, requires immediate veterinary care (symptoms include abdominal pain, lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea and fever).
How can I stop my dog from eating cat food?
It is helpful to have a few tricks up your sleeve to dissuade your dog from making a beeline for your cat’s food bowl.
If you aren’t already, feed your cat and dog in different rooms. It may also be sensible to place your cat’s food bowl higher up (somewhere your pup can’t get to – and better still, out of their sight) as cats can generally reach much higher surfaces than dogs. Bear in mind though, that this will not be suitable for kittens, older or arthritic cats.
Investing in a crate for your feline can also help them chow down in peace - while keeping doggos at bay.
What to do if your dog has eaten cat food?
Although it is unlikely that your dog will fall ill from sampling dry food or wet food for cats every so often, it is important to keep a close eye on them for any side effects if they do consume cat food.
Vomiting or an upset stomach are potential side effects – and if these symptoms endure then it is important to seek veterinary advice.
Feeding dogs cat food on a regular basis can have more serious health implications (see above).
FAQs
Below, Anna Ewers Clark, BVetMed BSc CertAVP MRCVS, Veterinary Lead for Research Standards and Communications at Blue Cross, answers your frequently asked questions about cats and dogs swapping food bowls.
Is there a food that both cats and dogs can eat?
Dogs and cats have different nutritional needs, so they should be fed a complete diet that is specifically formulated for their species.
They also benefit from a food that’s designed for their life stage, for example, puppies and kittens should be fed puppy food and kitten food instead of adult diets.
What is the difference between cat food and dog food?
There are a number of key differences between dog and cat food, as dogs and cats have different requirements for nutrients.
One of the biggest differences is the food groups that are included in the diet. Dogs are able to process nutrients from meat and vegetables, while cats are ‘obligate carnivores’ so can only process certain nutrients from meat products.
This means cat diets tend to be very high in meat, while dog diets will often have a mix of different meat and non-meat ingredients.
Can a dog die from eating cat food?
It’s very unlikely that a dog would die from eating cat food as they can process nutrients from both meat and vegetables, but it’s much better to feed them dog food.
You shouldn’t panic if your dog has a one-off meal of cat food, although they may have a stomach upset afterward.
But in the longer term cat food won’t have the correct balance of nutrients for dogs which can lead to health problems - for example digestive problems or obesity.
Is dog food bad for cats?
It’s not recommended that cats eat dog food, and it can be damaging for them in the long term. A few mouthfuls of dog food shouldn’t be a cause for worry, although it can lead to stomach upsets.
However, if cats are fed dog food for a long time, they can end up becoming unwell as they aren’t able to process certain key nutrients.
Cats are only able to process meat products for certain key nutrients. For example, cats can only get an amino acid called taurine from animal-based proteins. This amino acid is essential for many vital tissues and organs in the body, so feeding a dog diet could mean your cat doesn’t have enough taurine in their body and make them unwell.
You should always feed your pet a complete diet that’s designed for their species and life stage.
This article contains expert advice from Anna Ewers Clark, lead vet at Blue Cross, a charity that finds homes for abandoned or unwanted pets and keeps pets healthy by promoting welfare and providing veterinary treatment. Since graduating from the Royal Veterinary College in 2015 she has worked in small animal veterinary practices in both the charity and private sector. She also has a degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare. Anna lives with her dogs, Kirk and Jerry, and two rescue rabbits, Jack and Harley.
Joe Brothwell is editor of Take a Break Pets and adores all creatures great and small. Despite being a doting cat dad to Winnie, she continues to be aloof!