What happens if a dog eats cat food? What to do and what not to do

If you have a dog, you may have noticed that your dog eats cat food. But is it safe to eat cat food for dogs? Sometimes small amounts of cat food will not harm your dog, but you should not provide them on a regular basis. After all, there is a reason why dogs eat dog food and cats eat food made specifically for them.

Here is everything you need to know about the differences between dog and cat food and whether it is safe for your pet to indulge in cat food.

Why Do Dog Eats Cat Food So Much?

There is no doubt that dogs love cat food. Some dogs love cat food so much that their owners reward them for excellent results by using cat food as a valuable treat. Dogs love cat food so much that many cat owners have to feed their cats in a separate area that dogs cannot. Dogs love to eat cat food even after it has overcooked. It’s undeniable that many dogs treat Tootsie’s cat rolls as pure treats.

What makes cat food attractive to dogs? Is it just the fact that he’s different? Do you get an adrenaline rush when the rover steals it? Is it more attractive because it won’t be served longer (compared to dog food served at a specific time)? Or does it really taste better?

Can Dog Eats Cat Food?

Although cat food and dog food look remarkably similar, the ingredients are completely different. Being an obligate carnivore, the pile has different nutritional requirements than the omnivorous dog. Let’s see the difference.

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Foods cats should eat

Absolute carnivore means “one who eats meat on a need basis”. In other words, meat is biologically necessary for kittens. Without meat, cats cannot thrive because meat contains everything they need to survive.

For example, cats have a biological requirement for taurine, an amino acid primarily found in animal meat. It is also important for your cat to get arginine and arachidonic acid, which are also rich in meat sources.

Cats, which are obligate carnivores, also have high protein requirements. Therefore, cats need meat to live and thrive.

Foods your dog should eat

Despite the classification of predators, dogs are considered omnivores. This means that your dog likes meat, but also eats plant-based ingredients and can survive on such a diet. In fact, dogs have demonstrated the ability to digest carbohydrate-based foods.

Dogs, unlike cats, do not have an acute need for taurine and can produce arachidonic acid from vegetable oil. Unlike cats, they do not depend on meat-related protein and do not need to consume very high levels of protein to meet their basic dietary requirements.

Also, recent studies have shown that dogs, unlike wolves, have adapted to digesting starch-rich foods as part of their domestication.

My dog ​​eats cat food. What should I do?

If your dog eats cat food once or twice, it is unlikely that he will experience any negative effects. Even with mild gastrointestinal upset, he will like the taste and want more. If your puppy eats a little, don’t worry too much, and take precautions to make sure this doesn’t happen again.

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Tips to keep your dog away from cat food

  • Feed your cat from a height that dogs cannot reach.
  • Separate your kitten’s feeding area with a door where dogs cannot jump or crawl.
  • Invest in a cage that your dog cannot fit in.
  • Install a cat door that is too small for your puppy.
  • If your dog is large, buy a pet gate that has a small hole in the floor that only cats can pass through.

 

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