Has your cat eaten some dog food? Are you worried the dog food will make your cat sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We know it can be scary when our kitties eat things they shouldn’t.
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
In this article, we’ll take a look at dog food and whether or not it can make your cat sick. Let’s get started!
When a Cat Eats Dog Food
It can happen that your cat may decide the dog’s food looks or smells tastier than her own! She’ll snarf down a bite before you can holler or get the food away from her!
If this happens once in a while, it’s not a problem. However, long-term eating of dog food could make a cat sick. Dog food isn’t toxic for cats, but it doesn’t contain the nutrients cats need.
What’s the Difference Between Dog & Cat Food?
Dog food is made for dogs and contains the nutrients a dog needs to stay healthy. Remember that dogs are omnivores. This means they eat meat, veggies, and grains. They have a varied diet.
On the other hand, cat food is made with nutrients specifically for cats. Cats are carnivores, which means they need meat to stay healthy. Cats need a very high protein diet; they also need:
- Amino acids (such as taurine & arginine)
- Fatty acids
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Water
Cat food contains mostly protein, with some carbs. Dog food contains a mixture of protein, grains, and veggies. These are the main differences between cat and dog foods.
So, can dog food make a cat sick?
Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes.
Ask a Vet Live NowDog Food & Cats
Thankfully dog food isn’t toxic to cats. So, if your cat eats the dog’s food, she should be OK. However, a cat should never solely rely on dog food for her diet.
In other words, a cat should not eat dog food on a regular basis, as the only food she eats. In that case, a cat could become sick. The dog food simply doesn’t contain the nutrients the cat needs to stay healthy.
If your cat has eaten dog food, she will be OK. There’s no need to worry.
And in an emergency situation, your cat can eat dog food for a day or so. This will not hurt her. However, if she stays on the dog food alone for a longer period, she could become sick from the lack of nutrients.
So, there you have it! Your kitty should be just fine after eating some dog food! Just remember, dog food should never be her main diet. Your cat needs cat food in order to stay happy, healthy, and sassy!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Julie
Julie is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, where she studied Animal science. Though contrary to the opinion of her parents she was meant to study pharmacy, but she was in love with animals especially cats. Julie currently works in an animal research institute (NGO) in California and loves spending quality time with her little cat. She has the passion for making research about animals, how they survive, their way of life among others and publishes it. Julie is also happily married with two kids.
Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes.
Ask a Vet Live Now
