Can Cats Eat Dog Food?

If you have both a dog and a cat, perhaps you have noticed a cat stealing food from a dog at least once. Then the natural question is: Can cats eat dog food? 

The Happy Garden CBD answer is that if your cat eats dog food occasionally, it won’t be harmful. However, dog food should not be given to a cat for a long period of time.

What is the Difference Between Cat and Dog Food?

To understand why cats can’t eat dog food for a long time and vice versa, let’s look at the difference between cat and dog food.

Dry food

Dry cat food differs from dry dog ​​food in components and balance of nutrients. For example:

• Dog food contains significantly less protein since they need it less than cats. The digestive system of cats isn’t intended to digest grains (primarily cereals) and vegetables, which are higher in dog food than in cat food.
• Dry cat food contains more vitamin A; therefore, there will be a lack of this vitamin when feeding a cat with dog food. Consequently, it can lead to poor eyesight, fur loss and, in general, won’t help them achieve their best possible health.
• There is no added taurine in dry dog ​​food, an essential amino acid for cats that plays a vital role in fat digestion, blood clotting, nervous system maintenance, immune defense, heart function, etc. 

In a nutshell, if your cat eats dog food too often, it can lead to a lack of nutrients.

Wet food

What if my cat eats wet dog food? The answer will be the same – it’s OK if it’s only a small amount. On the other hand, canned wet food for dogs and cats is not intended as a staple diet, so it doesn’t contain all the nutrients your feline friend needs anyway. It’s pretty safe to give dog food to a cat as a treat, but that’s all.  

What if your cat eats dog food on a consistent basis?

• A lack of taurine can lead to heart problems.
• A lack of animal protein and an excess of carbohydrates can lead to problems with the gastrointestinal tract.
• It may negatively affect a kitten’s overall growth and wellness.

How to Avoid Problems?

So, whether cats can eat dog food is quite clear now. This is not a good food dish for them! If your cat can’t keep its paws away from your dog’s meal, maybe you should reconsider its diet. Perhaps, it is not rich enough in proteins, arachnoid acids, or calories, so you need to choose better commercial food.

And you can try the following if eating a dog food has become a bad habit for your cat:

• Feed animals in different areas, but at the same time;
• Remove dog food after the dog has finished eating. Dogs try to eat everything at once, but the cat will come to the bowl again and again for a bit of snack;
• Store dry dog ​​food in a tightly sealed plastic container.

Happy Garden CBD Treats for Cats

Our Happy Garden CBD products for pets are specifically designed for cats and dogs. You can try CBD cat treats, which are delicious, nutritious, and grain-free. Your cat will love these yummy seafood flavored crunchy treats, and what’s more important, they will enhance their daily wellness. Another product on our shelves is a CBD cat tincture. It contains more healing ingredients and is good for health issues like chronic pain, diarrhea, and coughing. CBD is also a great way to keep your pet calm.