If you are a pet parent and a dog lover who also shares your home with cats, this is an important article for you. Perhaps you’ve run out of dog food, and it has crossed your mind to give your dog food some cat food. You probably wondered, what the difference? They look similar, they sometimes smell similar, is it all the same? 

Well, most dogs love to eat cat’s food and sneaking some of the cat’s food won’t harm your dog, but there are reasons why cats eat cat food and dogs eat dog food. 

Difference between dog and cat food

There is a big difference in the cats’ and dogs’ nutritional needs, and therefore, their foods. Both animals have different dietary requirements: cats have a higher need for many essential nutrients and they are carnivores which means cats must eat meat. Therefore, cat food tends to be higher in protein, minerals, fat, and vitamins. 

On the other hand, contrary to some beliefs, dogs are omnivores which means they eat meat and vegetables and that’s the reason dogs need a more varied diet than just a dog bowl full of meat alone to meet their nutritional requirements. 

Cat food is much higher in meat-based protein than dog food. However, dogs could eat most of the cat food as it is so appealing to dogs since the meat smell and flavor are so strong. 

Just because dogs crave for cat food does not mean they should eat it as some cat food nutrients are dangerous to dogs too. In just about all cases, the best food for your dog is dog food. 

Why dogs shouldn’t eat cat food:

If you are feeding your dog a diet of cat food daily instead of dog food, then it may cause complications as dogs do not have a high safety tolerance to some nutrients found in cat food.  The dog feeder does not have the correct balance of protein, fiber and other important nutrients that dogs need to stay healthy and fit. 

The evolved pathways of cats allow them to tolerate levels of vitamin D that could make dogs very sick if that food is consumed by dogs. Cat food is made with a bit more fat as compared to dog food,, and since dog’s fat intolerance is lower than cats, it can cause pancreatitis and digestive problems. 

Additionally, a nutrient imbalance can cause obesity, gastrointestinal upset, abdominal pain lethargy and weakness, vomiting and diarrhea. Additionally, the high protein levels can be hard on your dog’s kidney and liver. 

What to do If Your Dog Ate Cat Food:

It can be tricky to get your pets to eat their own food if you have multiple pets. You need to figure out how to keep your dog from eating cat’s food. Dogs always try to get into cat’s food, some steal the food from the cat’s bowl while others break into food bags which cause nothing more than vomiting and diarrhea. An option to prevent this from happening is to change where you keep your cat’s food. Place the cat food out of reach from your dog.

You can also use an automatic feeder which only makes the food available when triggered by a special tag which you can place on your dog or cat’s collar. 

Also, you can create a separate room to feed your cat where your dog can’t enter or you can use any other rooms such as a laundry room, pantries and garages. 

If some of the cat’s meal is eaten by your dog and your dog exhibits signs of intestinal discomfort, then call a veterinarian and explain your concerns to find a solution. 

Can cats and dogs eat the same food

As we discussed how cat food can be dangerous for dogs,  similarly, cats cannot survive on dog food alone. Dog food lacks most of the important nutrients, such as vitamin A and taurine which are essential for cats to survive. Additionally, dog food is deficient in arachidonic acid and lacks an adequate meat protein level which is much needed by cats. So, it is always advisable to offer a dog meal to a dog and cat food to a cat.

Can you feed a dog cat food in an emergency

If there is no other option, you can feed a dog cat food in an emergency. However, as we mentioned the nutritional value is very low, so giving a dog cat food will not be sustainable. 

Final Thoughts: 

It is essential to offer an appropriate and balanced diet to your pets in order to keep them happy, healthy and fit. Both cats and dogs need specific vitamins and other nutrients to keep their immune system as strong as possible. This is best achieved when you feed your pet the food which is specifically meant for them.