The Dangers of a Dog Eating Cat Food

Most dogs will eat anything they are given or that they find falling on the floor, so it is obvious that they will also eat the cat's food if they can reach it. But dogs and cats have different nutritional requirements, and even though the dog might like the cat food, it might not be the healthy option.

  1. Nutritional Differences

    • Cats are carnivores, and they require a lot of meat in their diet, which means that cat foods are very high in protein, with very few other dietary supplements. Dogs, on the other hand, are omnivores and therefore require a balanced diet of meat and plant materials. Dog foods are therefore balanced to provide your pet with the optimal intake of meat, vegetables and carbohydrates, whether this is in the form of dry or wet food. Dog food is also formulated for certain weight and age groups -- in some cases even for specific breeds, whereas cat food is less specific.

    Obesity

    • Dogs require plant materials and carbohydrates to assist their digestive track with the processing of foods. Because cat food contains a high percentage of protein and very little in terms of plant materials and carbohydrates, the dog can easily become obese, as the digestive track will not function as well as it should. The occasional cat food meal will definitely not harm a dog's digestive tract, but if your dog regularly eats cat food, the effects will eventually start to show, especially if it is a breed prone to obesity, such as labradors. A dog eating cat food might have an upset stomach.

    The Kidney Myth

    • It is believed that feeding dogs a high-protein diet might cause kidney problems, but according to some experts, this is nothing more than an unfounded myth. At the Fourth Annual International Sled Dog Veterinary Medical Association Symposium, Prof. Dominique Grandjean DVM, Ph.D. stated that "the dog can digest large amounts of proteins, especially those of animal origin." Veterinarians will, however, recommend a low-protein diet if the dog already has problematic kidneys or high blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. Therefore, the only concern when dogs eat cat food is that the dog might not receive all the necessary nutrients.

    Advice and Guidance

    • Small dogs and large dogs do not have the same nutritional needs, and the same also goes for different dog breeds. Larger dogs require a high calcium intake in the puppy stage to help with bone development, whereas smaller dogs do not necessarily require the same amount of calcium. Veterinarians and dog nutritionists have formulated specific foods for specific dog sizes, ages and breeds, all of which are widely available. Therefore, it is recommended to consult your veterinarian with regard to your dog's diet, as he will be able to recommend the best food.