What are the side effects of a dog eating cat food? A Step-by-Step Guide

Why Do Dogs Love Cat Food So Much?

Theres no doubt that dogs love cat food. Some dogs love it so much that their owners use cat food as a high-value treat to reward them for exceptional performances. Dogs love cat food so much that many cat owners are forced to feed their cats in separate areas that are out of the dogs reach. Dogs even enjoy eating cat food after it has been digested: Theres no denying that many dogs perceive kittys “Tootsie rolls” as a pure delicacy.

So what makes cat food so appealing to dogs? Is it just the fact that its different? Does Rover get an adrenaline rush when he steals it? Is it more appealing because its left out longer (versus dog food, which is served at specific times)? Or does it actually taste better?

Different nutritional profiles between cat and dog food

The main reason you need to keep your pup out of the cat food is that cat food is higher in fat and protein than dog food. This makes cat food super appealing to your pup. Most dogs love the smell of meat or fish in the cat’s food.

Dog food, on the other hand, has some more carbohydrate content then cat food. Dogs need less fat and protein than cats. Dog food usually has some kind of grain or another carbohydrate source including rice, corn, wheat or oats.

Can dogs eat wet cat food?

For some pups, such as those experiencing weight loss, decreased appetite, or battling cancer, cat food might be a great alternative to dog foods. This is because in these cases, cat food is tastier, higher in calories, and more nutrient-balanced than some home-prepared diets.

Small amounts of cat food from time to time are also unlikely to cause any harm to healthy adult dogs. However, giving cat food for a prolonged period of time can cause gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea and flatulence, or even allergic reactions as wet cat food isn’t tested on canines.

¿Is It SAFE For a DOG To EAT Cat Food?