July 30, 2024, 11:19 am | Read time: 4 minutes
As cats and dogs are among the most popular pets, many households are home to both animals. This raises the question of whether dogs and cats can eat from the same bowl. PETBOOK author and ecotrophologist Beke Enderstein explains whether dog food is unproblematic, healthy or even harmful for cats.
Almost every pet owner is probably familiar with the following situation: as soon as the food tin is opened, the aroma of a BARF meal wafts temptingly from the kitchen, or the moment dry food trickles into the bowl, dogs and cats come running at lightning speed. But what happens when cats prefer dog food? From my own experience, I know that my cat Findus often likes my dog Jasper’s food.
The nutritional needs of cats
Cats have different nutritional requirements than dogs because, unlike dogs—who are omnivores and eat meat as well as vegetables and the like—cats are almost pure carnivores. Accordingly, cats have highly specialized dietary requirements.
In the wild, their natural diet consists of small mammals, birds, and occasionally reptiles. As a rule, however: mice. A mouse can, therefore, be used symbolically as a natural food source. It provides the cat with an optimal nutrient ratio.
This mainly consists of muscle meat, offal, and bones. The stomach contents are the only part of the mouse that contains plant-based ingredients, as it has a vegan diet. In addition to taurine, mice provide cats with an optimal ratio of other amino acids such as arginine, cysteine, and lysine, vitamins, and minerals such as calcium from the rodent’s bone system.
How dog food differs from cat food
All these nutrients that cats need for their health can also be found in complete cat food. Dog food, on the other hand, contains a certain amount of carbohydrates as well as protein. As a rule, it also contains less fat and its composition is tailored to a needs-based diet for dogs.
In terms of nutrition, cats differ from dogs as follows:
- Cats need more animal protein
- Cats need the amino acid taurine for visual function
- Cats need fewer carbohydrates
- Cats need more fat
- Cats need a special ratio of micronutrients
Is it bad if cats eat dog food?
If a cat occasionally eats dog food, it is not a problem. The situation is different if cats reject their own food and prefer to eat dog food. The adverse consequence is that cats can develop a nutritional deficiency – an inadequate supply of macro and micronutrients – which sooner or later is associated with health risks.
In this respect, an undersupply of animal protein and the amino acid taurine, which is essential for cats, plays a major role. In addition, cats consume too many carbohydrates and too little fat from dog food.
Health risks if cats only eat dog food:
Feeding cats only dog food can have the following health consequences:
- Vision problems: Degeneration of the retina and even blindness due to taurine deficiency
- Digestive disorders: Due to excessive amounts of carbohydrates
- Dull coat: Due to an unbalanced ratio of micronutrients and too little fat
- Diabetes mellitus: Due to larger amounts of carbohydrates
- Stomach overload: When eating large amounts of dog food, the stomach is overloaded with fiber and the like
- Weight gain: Improper consumption of carbohydrates and sugar can lead to diet-related secondary diseases such as cardiovascular diseases
What to do if the cat prefers to eat dog food?
If the dog and cat live in the same household, there are a few tips to prevent the cat from eating from someone else’s bowl.
- Feeding cats and dogs at separate times or spaces
- Putting away any leftover dog food instead of leaving it in the food bowl
- Enriching cat food with a few treats to make it more appetizing
- Feeding smaller amounts of the beloved dog food as a treat
- Trying out different types of food until you find the cat’s favorite type
- Enriching cat food with small amounts of dog food
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Sources
- petdoctors.at, „Wenn Hund & Katze in einem Haushalt wohnen: macht Hundefutter Katzen krank?“ (accessed on 12.03.2024)
- dogsvets.com, “Can Cats Eat Dog Food? – The Difference Between Dog And Cat Food“ (accessed on 12.03.2024)