Can dogs eat cat food?

Paparika

Since Perry the pup came back from the kennels he wont eat his food, unless he is starving will he touch it.

The kennels had try expensive food, something i don't want to move on to.

But when we go to OH house he happily tucks into the cats food (the dog not OH, but then again...)

i have tried different food for him and different brands but no he sticks his nose up at it.

So i bought a supermarket own brand cat food pouch chicken in jelly, he has just demolished it.


Can perry survive on cat food rather than dog food?

welshlil

my dog was the same, asked the vet as she was partial to felix [tuna] flavour. According to him it doesn't have the nutritional value a dog needs. We also have a problem with the cat eating the dog food as well! Both look healthy and fit. I don't think it harms if it's just a treat - ours have a tin of tuna now and then. Unfortunately our dog now 10, knows how to wrap me round her little finger, she keeps on and on till she gets what she wants! She even hits me with her paw to get attention [ usually after ham] to get her to eat dog food is a real problem, but I've noticed her food disappears in the night [cat out] so she will eat it if shes really hungry. I don't think they will starve themselves.

Waterfalls

i agree with welshlil, they cat food will not have the correct nutritional value for ur dog. im my experience its best not to keep chopping a changing the food if possible, as can lead to stomach upsets etc.
you can use the cat food in order to wean ur dog over to ur chosen food very slowly over a period of 7-10 days to try get him back onto dog food again.
good luck

Paparika

thanks for your advise,

its been like this since december and tonight was the only time i have given him cat food that he hasnt nicked from the cat, mind u the cat eats his dinner that he wont eat at OH

CiciBaltimore

no. too much protein in cat food. give him dog food from a tin plus a bit of dried (like tescos own tinned) and then give him it and give him 10 mins to eat it. if he doesnt eat it, you must take it up and not give him it again until next meal time even if he seems hungry. he has to learn that you are boss and he cant be picky.

orlao

Cat food is higher protein than dog food and probably over rich for a dog.
I always know if my thieving terrier has been regularly pinching cat food as she gets scurfy coat and very itchy...she also piles on weight.That's not even mentioning what comes out the other end!

I agree that the pup won't starve himself, he must have eaten something other than cat food since December:D

Or you could give in and get him some of the expensive dog food....even though the bags are very expensive you usually feed so much less than the cheaper brands that it isn't as bad as you think moneywise....

simontheiceman

I have clients whose dogs eat nothing but cat food, but as has been mentioned above, cat food is rich in protein and all these dogs are very overweight. It is not dangerous for a dog to eat cat food, but it isnt really suitable in the long term. By the way the reverse does not apply; cats will eventually become ill without the balance of nutrients in cat food. You also might find that his poo becomes rather putrid and possibly with a poor consistency - due to the lack of dietary fibre. Dogs need fibre in their diet but cats will happily survive on low fibre diets.

Paparika

CiciBaltimore wrote: »

no. too much protein in cat food. give him dog food from a tin plus a bit of dried (like tescos own tinned) and then give him it and give him 10 mins to eat it. if he doesnt eat it, you must take it up and not give him it again until next meal time even if he seems hungry. he has to learn that you are boss and he cant be picky.

Yup i've done that too, he tries to hold on to see if we leave him scraps, but when he hasnt eaten his food then he doesnt get ours

Paparika

simontheiceman wrote: »

I have clients whose dogs eat nothing but cat food, but as has been mentioned above, cat food is rich in protein and all these dogs are very overweight. It is not dangerous for a dog to eat cat food, but it isnt really suitable in the long term. By the way the reverse does not apply; cats will eventually become ill without the balance of nutrients in cat food. You also might find that his poo becomes rather putrid and possibly with a poor consistency - due to the lack of dietary fibre. Dogs need fibre in their diet but cats will happily survive on low fibre diets.

He isn't overweight, but then again i wouldn't want him to get ill, will carry on with his normal food and hold out, he can give me the starved look and refuse to eat and see where that gets him.

I have the worlds most sulky stubborn dog hehe

Milford_Cubicle

You could try mixing a small amount of cat food in with his normal food and see if that works? Or, as someone else suggested, buy the expensive food as I imagine in the long run it'll work out cheaper than the vet's bills...

Paparika

Milford_Cubicle wrote: »

You could try mixing a small amount of cat food in with his normal food and see if that works? Or, as someone else suggested, buy the expensive food as I imagine in the long run it'll work out cheaper than the vet's bills...

bit of a run out to the kennels each time but i should perhaps ring them and just check he ate well when he was there and see if they will give me a small bag (they come in sack sizes for what i can see)