What happens if dog eats cat food

A dog with kidney or liver disease needs to consume moderate amounts of protein, not excess, to promote optimal functioning of those organs.

An obese dog, or one with a predisposition for developing pancreatitis e. For most healthy adult dogs, this means you no longer need to worry about your dog partaking in the occasional kitty treat. However, if you have any questions, be sure to reach out to your veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist for advice as to whether commercial cat food, in any amount, may be right for your dog.

Home Dog Nutrition Center. Can Dogs Eat Cat Food? Published: May 27, When Cat Food Is Safe for Dogs In fact, for some dogs, like those battling cancer and experiencing weight loss, muscle wasting, and a poor appetite, cat food may be an ideal alternative to many dog foods.

Dogs, on the other hand, are best characterized as opportunistic omnivores who need a lot of different types of foods, including plenty of meat. Dog food is not that different from your food.

In fact, many typical homemade dog foods are quite similar to the chicken-and-rice dishes you may make for your family. Cat foods, on the other hand, are more like Atkins-inspired recipes. Keep in mind that these are minimum guidelines, and many cat foods have protein and fat content that exceed these recommendations — sometimes significantly so. In fact, the high protein and fat content of cat foods is probably the reason dogs find cat foods so tasty. The relative lack of fruits and vegetables in cat foods, as well as the biological differences between dogs and cats, means that cat foods must be fortified with several important nutritional supplements.

For example, many dog foods contain ingredients such as carrots that are rich in a substance called beta-carotene. When your dog eats these ingredients, his body converts some of the beta-carotene into a chemical called retinol — better known as Vitamin A. Instead, their foods must be fortified with Vitamin A supplements.

For example, cats must obtain taurine — an amino acid — from their diet , while dogs make taurine internally. Similarly, dogs can also make arachidonic acid — an important fatty acid — internally, while cats must obtain it from their diet. Aug 28, 2 Minutes. Cats vs. Dogs: Nutrition Cats and dogs have different dietary requirements. Complications of Feeding Cat Food to Dogs If your dog eats a lot of cat food on a regular basis, or if you are feeding your dog a diet of cat food instead of dog food, complications may arise, as it does not have the correct balance of protein, fiber, and all of the nutrients dogs need to stay healthy.

Can Cats Eat Dog Food? Tips for Responsible Dog Owners This e-book is a great resource for anyone who's considering dog ownership or already owns a dog. Download for tips on how to be the best dog owner you can be. AKC Privacy Policy. Founded in , the not-for-profit AKC is the recognized and trusted expert in breed, health, and training information for all dogs. But, how about your dog eating cat food? Too much of it though, may lead to some health issues further down the line.

We may be tempted to believe cats and dogs both eat a similar diet. In reality though, these domestic creatures are different from each other. For starters, cats are feline and dogs are canine. And, they do have different dietary requirements. A cat is called an obligate carnivore. Cats need a diet rich in meats and this can include any animal-based product such as organ meats and muscles.

A cat will not survive on plant-based diet.