Kendrick
I feed my dog cat food. He is a small 11 pound toy fox terrier. everyone keeps telling me on yahoo answers that im posioning him! What is the cat food really doing to him. hes been eationg it for 5 years, and he is as happy and heathy as ever! when he was little we bought him EXPENCIVE special dog food, and he always ate my cats food and hated the dog food. we even tried wet food and he only ate a few bites of it! can you please tell me whats so wrong with feeding him cat food? Please no mean answers.....im so sick of those. Thanks.
Bethann
We have 3 dogs and 3 cats. The dogs eat the cat food and the cats eat the dog food and we have never had any health issues with our pets. If your dog has been eating cat food for 5 years and is healthy, keep doing what youre doing.
Colette
My boyfriend babysat two dogs once who only ate cat food. when my cat runs out of food sometimes we substitute dog food. some dogs eat garbage. i cant imagine that cat food would be any worse for them.
Albertina
You arent poisoning him, but there vitamins and nutrients in the dog food that your dog NEEDS and will affect him in the long run. He wont get these vitamins and nutrients from the cat food, and that could cause problems down the road. Try to feed him dog food, its made for a reason and he needs it.
Celesta
I think it should be fine.... it isnt like they poison cat food with things that cats are tolerant of that other animals cant eat so i think your adorable puppy should be fine!
Cyndy
Should not do him any harm, however the reverse is not true, cats are mandatory carnivours, ie they NEED to eat meat to survive, and not all dog foods contain meat, therefore cats can die from being fed certain dog foods
Elise
Cat food is a very RICH food and its often hard for dogs to digest it. It can cause lots of intestinal and digestive problems. It also often causes obesity in animals, and its a very fatty food and slowly digested by dogs. Leaving their body to suck up all the sugar and fat from the food and not the good stuff. You need to put the cat food somewhere where the dog cannot reach it, and feed him dog food, it doesnt have to be the expensive stuff. Hell probably reject it for a day or two, but once he realizes hes not getting any other food, hell eat the food that he was given. Dont give in!
Catina
Lets get things straight here. DOG FOOD is formulated especially for the nutitional needs of DOGS. CAT FOOD is formulated for the nutrtional needs of CATS. Its a extremly hard concept to grasp I know. geee it can be harder than rocket science!!!! you will catch on eventually. cat food is too high in fat and lacks vitamins that dogs need.!!! thats why its for CATS. If your dog dislikes dog food than you should either feed him raw meat or a homemade diet.. you can feed the same raw diet to both cats and dogs. sorry but vets dont really know much about dog nutrtion. my vet reccomended i feed my dog junky IAMS for crying out loud!!
Elva
I heard somewhere years ago the cat food to a dog will cause them to have kidney problems.....and its just something thats always stuck with me....whether its true or not I dont know......
Deeann
If it doesnt say meow than everything is ok! My be youll get a bonus and it will start catching mice!!!
Abbey
From aspca websitesummary* cat food has 2 much fat and protein for your dog* doesnt have nutrients your dog needs* can have long term health side effectsmany dogs prefer to eat cat food. Since it’s higher in protein, fat and calories, it’s more tasty. However, most dogs will still eat their own dog food if they arent offered another choice. Remember that the nutritional needs of cats and dogs are different, and their foods are formulated to meet those specific needs. Although it is not usually harmful if a small amount of the wrong food is eaten, nutritional imbalances affecting your dog’s health could occur if this continues long term
Cyndy
Hi i have ALOT of animals altough im only 13 i understand where your coming from.. some cat food is bad for them but my mom and i sometimez feed our dogs cat food when we run out of dog food if hes happy and healthy theres nothing wrong with him but try some not expensive dog food he may like that and then theres no worries about the cat food he is YOUR pet dont worry about what anyone thinks im sure you love him and wouldnt want to harm him but yahoo answers is not the best place to ask this jus look it up its much simpiler..
Hiroko
I was told at one time not to let my pups eat cat food. They told me that it will slow there metabolism down. But they are right about the dog foods Nutritional qualities that cat food doesnt have. That may be able to be solved with a Dog vitamin supplement and some brewers yeast tabs. Other then that i doubt it will kill him. You could try to wet the kibble with some warm water let is soak for a while. Then add some baby food to it i use the non meals type. Just chicken in chickn broth gerbers baby food. First to see if he likes it so you dont waste the whole think. Just put a little on your finger and let him sniff and taste. If he like is spoon the rest out over the luke warm kibble and stir it in so he has to eat the kibble to get it. I used this with my shepherds when we first got them. They were refussing to eat. They both eat like pigs now. I dont use the meals cause they have onion powder in them that is bad for dogs. But the stuff i mentioned has nothing but chicken and broth in it and maybesomething as a thickener. You could also try to stir some wet dog food in with some rice. Although if he is as picky as you say that deffinalty may not work. I use rice in there dog food mix. I use Rolled oats as well. Green beans. there are a number of healthy things i feed my dogs.
Rupert
Only thing i see wrong with that is the cat food doesnt have vitamens and neutriants the dog needs Also may cause him to have diariah but from him being on it 5 years sounds like you dont have to worry about that. I would goto Neutro or Science Diet website and see if you can find a cupon or maybe get a trial bag from there website those are the two fooods i recommend. Try putting cat food and mixing it with a little dog food. then slowly add more and mroe dog food less cat food untill the bowl is fully dog food see if that helps also change of food may cause him to have well stomach issues for a short time.
Charlsie
Nutrition requirements are different between the species. He may have done fine on it so far, however further done the road when age starts to settle in you may see some problems that could have been avoided. The occasional snack out of each others dishes is no big deal Dont give him an option. He gets dog food, end of story. He may not eat at first but believe me when he gets hungry he will eat it. Eventually hell realize he likes it.
Mitch
You arent poisoning him, but he isnt getting the vitamins he needs. Cat food is made specifically to fullfill cats nutricional requirement. Cats require more protein than dogs, so it could be effecting his system slightly. While it isnt hurting him now, it may hurt him in the long run.
Hoyt
I have both dogs and cats and they all like to eat each other food occasionally but you really do need to be careful, cat food does not contain the same ingredients that dog food does. Dogs and cats are very different in what their nutritional needs are. I would not feed a dog cat food (or a cat dog food for that matter) unless you have checked with a reputable vet to make sure that it is ok and that it contains all of the essential nutrients that a dog needs as well as making sure it doesnt have anything in there that could harm him. I would not go so far as to say that you are "poisoning" him but over a long period of time some of the ingredients in the cat food that are not good for him could do serious damage to his internal organs because he can not process/digest them properly.
Nell
Because commercial dog food has certain nutrients in it that dogs need. Your pooch is not getting them in cat food.
Hildegard
YOU CANNOT GIVE A DOG CATFOOD!!! THATS WHY THEY MADE DOG FOOD!!! WHATS WRONG WITH YOU - YOU ARE POISONING HIM. READ BELOW AND SEND TO EVERY OTHER IDIOT YOU KNOW WHO DOES STUPID STUFF LIKE THAT TO HELPLESS ANIMALS. Alcoholic Beverages – Any type of alcohol can be poisonous to your pet and aside from intoxication, can cause a coma or even death. Anti-freeze The Dangers Of Antifreeze (See at end of this list)Apple, apple seeds: The seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides which can result in cyanide poisoning. Apricot, apricot pit: The seed pit contains cyanogenic glycosides which can cause cyanide poisoning. Avocado: Avocado contains a toxic element called persin which can damage heart, lung and other tissue in many animals. Avocadoes are high in fat content and can trigger an upset stomach, vomiting or even pancreatitis. The seed pit is also toxic and if swallowed can become lodged in the intestinal tract where it may cause a severe blockage which will have to be removed surgically. Since avocado is the main ingredient in guacamole be sure and keep your dog out of the dip. Baby Food: Before feeding any baby food to your dog check the ingredients to see if it contains onion powder, which can be toxic to dogs. Feeding baby food in large amounts may result in nutritional deficiencies. Bones: Cooked bones can be very hazardous for your dog. Bones become brittle when cooked which causes them to splinter when broken. The splinters have sharp edges that have been known to become stuck in the teeth, caused choking when caught in the throat or caused a rupture or puncture of the stomach lining or intestinal tract. Especially bad bones are turkey and chicken legs, ham, pork chop and veal. Apple Seeds – Can have varied effects on pets. Cherry Pits - Can cause respiratory difficulties such as breathing, coughing and sneezing. Candy containing the sweetener Xylitol – Can cause liver damage and even death. Chocolate – Although pets should never have any type of chocolate, milk chocolate is not nearly as dangerous for animals as semi-sweet or unsweetened bakers chocolate. Chocolate poisoning can cause irregular heart rate and rhythm, restlessness, hyperactivity, diarrhea, vomiting, panting, muscle tremors, abdominal pain, bloody urine, increased body temperature, seizures, coma and possibly even death. Coffee – Can result in increased breathing and heart rate, restlessness and affects the central nervous system. Grapes – Large amounts of grapes can be poisonous to pets and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, abdominal pain, lack of appetite and kidney damage. Hops – May cause panting, elevated temperature, increased heart rate, seizures and possibly death. GarlicMacadamia Nuts – Can cause vomiting, lethargy, hyperthermia, abdominal pain, stiff joints, lameness and tremors. Moldy Foods – Can have varied effects on pets including vomiting and diarrhea. Mushrooms – Different types of mushrooms can have varied effects on pets such as, depression, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, tearing, hallucinations, defecation, liver failure, seizures, drooling, urination, kidney failure, heart damage, hyperactivity and in some cases, death. Mustard Seeds - Can have varied effects on pets. Onions and Onion Powder – Can cause gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting and diarrhea. Peaches, Peach Pits – Can cause respiratory difficulties such as breathing, coughing and sneezing. Potatoes, Potato Leaves and Stems – Can cause problems with the digestive, nervous and urinary systems. Raisins - Large amounts of raisins can be poisonous to pets and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, abdominal pain, lack of appetite and kidney damage. Rhubarb Leaves - Can cause problems with the digestive, nervous and urinary systems. Salt – In large quantities can cause electrolyte imbalances. Tea – Can have varied effects in pets. Tomato Leaves and Stems - Can cause problems with the digestive, nervous and urinary systems. Walnuts – Can cause gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting and diarrhea, as well as respiratory issues such as sneezing, breathing and coughing. Yeast Dough – Can be dangerous as it will expand and result in gas, pain and possible rupture of the stomach or intestines. Table Scraps - Table scraps are not a nutritionally balanced diet for a dog. If fed at all scraps should never be more than 10% of the diet. Fat should be trimmed from meat and all cooked bones discarded. Tobacco Products-Pears: The seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides which can cause cyanide poisoning. Plants: Dogs can become extremely ill or even die from eating poisonous plants. Keep all unknown types of plants and any plants suspected of being poisonous out of reach of your pet. Plastic Food Wrap: Dogs have been known to ingest pieces of plastic wrap while trying to eat food remnants left on its surface. Plastic food wrap can cause choking or intestinal obstruction. Dispose of plastic wrap in a manner that your dog or other animals cannot get to it. Plums: The seed pit contains cyanogenic glycosides which can cause cyanide poisoning. Play Dough: Home made play dough contains high levels of salt. When ingested this can cause salt poisoning which can be fatal. Nutmeg: Nutmeg is reported to be a hallucinogenic when ingested in large doses. Nutmeg has been known to cause tremors, seizures and in some cases, death. Nuts: Nuts in general are not good for dogs as their high phosphorus content may lead to bladder stones. Household Products: Bad Household Items ListLiver: Many dog treats and prepared foods contain liver so it may surprise you to find liver on the bad foods list. In small amounts liver is good for your dog, but if the liver intake is too high it can cause nutritional problems because liver has a high content of vitamin A. Consumption of this vitamin in large amounts can lead to vitamin A toxicity, or hypervitaminosis A. If your dog eats raw liver or consumes three servings of cooked liver a week it could lead to bone problems. Feeding liver to a dog taking Vitimin A supplements can lead to an overdose of Vitamin A. Symptoms of hypervitaminosis A are deformed bones, excessive bone growth on the elbows and spine, weight loss and anorexia. If left unchecked, hypervitaminosis A has in some cases caused death. Citrus Oil Extracts: Citrus oil extracts ave been known to cause vomiting. Corn Cobs: Many dogs have suffered and, in some cases, died after eating corn-on-the-cob, because the corn cob caused a partial or complete intestinal obstruction. Never allow your dog access to corn cobs. Dairy Products: Most dairy products are digested poorly by dogs who have little or none of the enzyme required to digest the lactose in milk. Just like lactose-intolerant people, lactose-intolerant dogs can develop excessive intestinal gas (flatulence) and may have foul-smelling diarrhea. It is best to avoid most dairy products altogether, although small amounts of cheese or plain yogurt are tolerated by most dogs, since these products have less lactose than most. Cat Food: Cat food is not formulated for canine comsumption. It is generally too high in protein and fats and is not a balanced diet for a dog. Cherries: The seed pit contains cyanogenic glycosides which can cause cyanide poisoning. Bread Dough: When bread dough is ingested your dogs body heat causes the dough to rise in the stomach. During the rising process alcohol is produced as the dough expands. Pets who have eaten bread dough may experience abdominal pain, bloat, vomiting, disorientation and depression. A pet needs to eat only a small amount to cause a problem, because bread dough can rise to many times its size. Broccoli: The toxic ingredient in broccoli is isothiocynate. While it may cause stomach upset it probably wont be very harmful unless the amount fed exceeds 10% of the dogs total daily diet. ______________________________________…
Devora
It is ok for your dog to eat cat food. It totally fine. It the other way around with cats they are the ones who cant eat dog food.
Caroyln
You should feed your dog "Dog Food". Here is my reasons, Dogs are omnivores they eat a balanced diet of vegetables, carbs and meat. Cats are strict carnivores, they should eat a diet of mainly meat and fat (think mice). Its interesting high fat in foods make dogs fat and high carbs in food make cats fat. My cats like carbs but its like kids and junkfood, once and a while its not a problem but not all the time., I would suggest Innova and the Evo brand is amazing very good for dogs and is a very well made food (http://www. naturapet. com/brands/evo. asp) Wysong hard dog food is great too many people rave about it. there are many misconceptions of petfood, there use to be all sort of myths that sadly are still around. I am in the modern way of thinking and I have a forward thinking vet to. I have cats I know they are strict carnivores, most hard cat food have more carbs then meat in them and my cats gain weight on hard food so I feed high grade (Wysong, etc) soft food mainly and their is some hard to nibble on. To be honest lots of hard cat foods are made for dogs and contain high carbs but with a higher fat content. So technically since its not made properly for cats anyhow it only has a higher fat content. Feed your dog the proper food and if you want to treat him a little thats fine, life is meant to be enjoyed. None of us have a complete balanced died but if its mainly balanced then its the best for his body and health.
Alex
Heres something practical and easy you can do. Go to any pet store and take a bag of dog food, walk to the cat food aisle and compare the nutrition information on both. You will notice that the cat food has much higher percentages of some things than the dog food does. This is because cats nutritional needs are quite different from dogs nutritional needs. Sure, for short term or temporary situations, its not going to cause much damage, and most dogs like to get into the cat food if they can because it tastes richer. But in the long term, you are not doing your dog a favor. Five years? Yeah, but those are when hes young right? How do you know that the excess nutrients arent building up in his liver and will cause him health problems when hes older?