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While most dogs love to eat cat food, there’s a reason why cats eat cat food and dogs eat dog food. Your dog probably won’t be harmed by sneaking some of the cat’s food now and then, but it isn’t something you should give him on a consistent basis.
Cats vs. Dogs: Nutrition
Cats and dogs have different dietary requirements. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means that cats must eat meat. It’s a biological necessity. Dogs, contrary to some beliefs, are omnivores, which means they eat meat and vegetables, so they need a more varied diet than just meat alone to meet their nutritional requirements.
Cat food is much higher in meat-based protein than dog food. This might be why cat food is so appealing to dogs, since the meat smell and flavor are so strong. However, just because dogs crave it doesn’t mean they should eat it.
Unless your veterinarian recommends otherwise, the best food for your dog is dog food, not cat food.
Difference between cat food and dog food
For a start, cat food has a much higher protein content than dog food. Cats are obligate carnivores which means they require meat-based proteins and animal fats for optimal nutrition. Dogs, on the other hand, are omnivores and will therefore thrive on a diet of meat, as well as some vegetable content.
In addition to this, cats don’t taste in the same way dogs do. While dogs love cat food for its high protein content, cats rarely seek out dog food, as it simply doesn’t appeal to their tastes. The reason is that felines have a different taste system, so their food is specially formulated to appeal to these specific tastes.
For example, cats can’t taste sweetness, while dogs can. According to the research based on the changes in the sweet receptor gene, cats show indifference to both sweet carbohydrates and sweeteners. Perhaps, cats picky eating habits were developed around the remaining taste receptors.
Cats require their food to contain certain special ingredients that aren’t typically included in dog foods. A cat’s body cannot produce taurine (an amino acid that’s important for digestion, vision, and heart health) as well as arachidonic acid, a fatty acid that dogs are able to produce on their own. A lack of arachidonic acid in a cat’s diet can lead to abnormal liver and kidney functioning, improper blood clotting, and an increase in skin problems.
Vitamin A is another important dietary element that cats require. Dog food often does include vitamin A, however, it’s rarely at the levels that cats need.
Carbohydrate needs differ greatly between dogs and cats. A cat requires far fewer carbs in their diet, and a diet too high in carbs can lead to weight gain and other issues including diabetes. Dogs, on the other hand, require significantly more carbohydrates in their diet, usually derived from plants, which cats don’t generally eat.
A cat’s nutritional needs change throughout their life. What is an appropriate food for a kitten will not always provide adequate amount of vitamins, protein, and other nutrients for an adult cat or a senior cat.
Young cats and pregnant cats will generally require a higher energy content in their food to use in growth, while older cats will need a higher protein content to maintain their muscle mass.
Dog food and treats are rarely adequate for any stages of a cat’s development due to their lack of the amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that cats require.