Can a cat be fed dry dog food?

Foods intended for dogs cannot provide enough fatty acids for the cat's body either. In particular, it lacks arachidonic acid, without which the normal functioning of the reproductive, digestive and other body systems is impossible.

The 5 main advantages of dry food

1. Balance. Formulas of the industrial rations are developed by experts in veterinary nutrition science and verified with accuracy to the milligram. You can be certain that your cat will get all the nutrients he needs for every feeding, while filling his bowl with pellets. With natural products, it's up to the cat owner to provide a balanced diet.
2. Affordability. Ready-made pet food is easy to buy at any time of the day, even in small communities, or to order from one of the online stores that specialize in pet supplies. Fresh meat products of good quality can be more difficult to get.
3. The possibility of long-term storage. The shelf life of dry food is 12-18 months, which allows you to store them for future use. Meat, fish and vegetables spoil quickly without refrigeration.
4. Variety of flavors. Feeding a pet rabbit, turkey or lamb is not affordable for every owner. And you can pick up food with almost any meat that the cat likes and is well tolerated.
5. Ease of use. Dry food is completely ready to eat. In addition, they are easily dosed, which is especially relevant in cases where the pet needs to limit the food due to a tendency to obesity.

However, the notoriety of dry food did not arise from nothing. There are many products in this category on the zoo market consisting mainly of carbohydrate sources. In nature, the diet of cats is represented mainly by animal protein and fat, and plant food gets to them only in small quantities – usually together with the stomach and intestines of the herbivore prey.

The excess of carbohydrates provokes blood sugar spikes, which sooner or later leads to obesity and metabolic disorders. So when they say that dry food is harmful, it is quite true, if they mean a product of cereals with a slight addition of meat waste. It should be understood that carbohydrates can also go too high if the cat is given bread, cereals and pasta, but not meat or fish products.

Dry food and IBC

Another problem is that on dry food, cats sometimes don't consume enough fluids. The fact is that natural food and canned cat food contain 60-80% moisture, while dry pellets have no more than 10%. If a pet doesn't drink much, he gets liquid with the food when feeding natural food, while on dry food he doesn't, and the urine inevitably becomes more concentrated.

Mineral substances, not being completely flushed out of the body, linger in the urinary tract and gradually form thick clots, the so-called stones.

However, it should be borne in mind that urolithiasis is not due to one cause, but several factors affect its development simultaneously, including the amount of minerals coming from the food, as well as the acidity of the urine. But it is known that males fall ill more often than females. That is why owners have doubts about whether to feed dry cat food.

In fact, with a proper drinking regime and the right choice of feed, the likelihood of an animal having IBC is even lower than on a different type of diet. For responsible producers, the balance of minerals in the feed formula is a very important issue that should be taken care of. Magnesium, phosphorus and calcium are not just randomly given in the complete ration, but in precisely defined amounts and in optimal proportions so that the risk of IBC is minimized.

If, among other things, the food consists of meat ingredients, the cat's urine will have a mildly acidic reaction. And in an acidic environment, crystals that later form urinary stones simply cannot form.

As you can see, the food itself is not the cause of urolithiasis. The main thing is to convince your pet to drink water. To do this, change it often with fresh water, or buy a special drinking bowl in the form of a fountain, where the water would not stagnate, but would circulate and be enriched with oxygen. If you notice that your pet does not drink at all, do not rush to transfer him to canned or homemade food. To keep the water balance in the animal's body you can soak the food an hour before feeding with warm water.

Fats and carbs: necessary and superfluous

A cat food should contain a bit more animal fats, which are extremely important sources of essential omega-3 fatty acids, essential for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and for maintaining thermoregulation.

In addition, fat in the diet of dogs and cats serves as a major source of energy, i.e. it plays the same role in their bodies as carbohydrates do in the human diet. As for the latter, the truth is that neither cats nor dogs need them at all, and their amount in the food should be minimal. If dogs have managed to acquire a certain adaptive enzyme mechanism allowing them to assimilate a certain amount of carbohydrates for thousands of years of dependence on human food, then cats do not have it.

In fact all carbohydrates that they receive with food either come out partially undigested (if they are so-called complex carbohydrates, for example, beans) – and this is the best option – or immediately deposited in the fat (fast carbs – cereals), which is already much worse, since it leads to obesity with all its dire consequences for health.

Cat foods therefore always contain fewer carbohydrates than dog foods, but in many diets these are still too high. And that's another reason in favor of biologically appropriate Acana and Orijen low-carb foods for both cats and dogs.

Can cats eat dog food? The answer is unequivocal!

So, as you have understood, dog food is completely unsuitable for cat food, and it should not be given to these animals on a regular basis, as the consequences of such a diet can be very serious. But we would like to point out that it is equally important to choose high quality food with high meat content, because even supplementation with synthesized vitamins and amino acids does not replace fresh sources of protein of animal origin, which is an absolutely necessary component of a cat's daily diet.

Is dry food bad for your cat's health?

Benefits or harm depends not on the type of food, but on the composition of the food itself. If the dry food does not meet the cat's needs, does not contain enough of the most important ingredient for him – meat, and consists mostly of grain components, then, of course, it can bring harm to the health of the animal. Therefore, it is very important to choose a quality dry food with animal protein sources at the top of the list.

Some owners believe that eating dry food alone causes the risk of developing urolithiasis, because there is almost no moisture in it, and insufficient water intake is bad for the cat's urinary system. The latter statement is true, but it makes absolutely no difference whether the cat gets water from the food or consumes it separately.

The amount of liquid in the body is strictly regulated by a whole system of signals, the last of which is the excitation of the thirst center in the animal's brain. Therefore, if the water in the body is not enough, the cat will actively seek it, and the task of the owner is to ensure that the pet is able to drink clean and fresh water every day. This is something worth taking special care of if you feed your cat only dry food – don't be lazy to change the water in the bowl every day.

Carefully observe how much liquid your cat consumes, and if necessary place additional bowls of water in those areas of the house where the cat likes to spend time.

If you have correctly picked up the diet that meets all the pet's needs, following the rules of feeding, which we wrote about in detail in this article, it is possible to feed the cat only dry food without any harm, and even with benefits for his health.

Taurine

Cats (like humans) are among the few mammals whose bodies are not capable of producing taurine on their own, so we must get this substance from food. If cats are deficient in taurine, they can develop heart problems (dilated cardiomyopathy), vision problems, and digestive problems. Manufacturers claim that modern cat foods fully cover animals' daily needs for taurine. It is not often found in dog food.

Arachidonic acid is a fatty acid that is not produced by the body of cats, but is vital to them. When it is deficient, animals may show signs of liver and kidney disorders in the tests, and then – symptoms of diseases of internal organs. Sometimes low levels of arachidonic acid in cats aggravate skin problems. Dogs, on the other hand, are capable of producing this fatty acid themselves and do not need supplements.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is another dietary element that cats cannot synthesize on their own and get exclusively from food. Dog foods also contain retinoids, but not in sufficient amounts for cats. Basic indicators of vitamin A deficiency in cats:

Cat food should also contain adequate doses of niacin, a vitamin B3 that is involved in many redox reactions, enzyme formation and lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in living cells. The main source of niacin is meat, plant foods, particularly cereals, can not provide the daily requirement of animals in this important micronutrient.

Animal protein

The animal protein content of commercially prepared diets for dogs is lower than that of cats. During several tens of thousands of years of their lives next to humans, dogs have adapted to digest small amounts of plant food and grains, while cats were and are obligate carnivores, adapted to eat only meat. Therefore, if the animal protein in the food is not enough, it affects the work of the muscles and internal organs of the pet, because protein is the main building material for all cells of the body.

These are essential amino acids for the cat's body, and if they are deficient, serious and dangerous conditions develop not only for the health, but also for the life of the pet. Taurine is contained in large quantities in the retina of the cat's eye, and therefore with its chronic deficiency, first of all, vision suffers, and over time the animal inevitably goes blind. In addition, taurine is essential for the cardiovascular and nervous systems, the blood clotting process, reproductive and gastrointestinal function and much more.

Just as important is arginine, a deficiency of which can lead to a build-up of ammonia in the blood that can have fatal consequences.

Dog dry food contains less fat than cats need

Dog foods usually contain less animal fat than a cat needs to produce essential fatty acids, particularly arachidonic acid. Dogs can synthesize it from linoleic acid, but cats cannot, so not only linoleic acid but also arachidonic acid is essential for them.

It is a fat-soluble vitamin that is present in animal products. Cats do not have an enzyme capable of converting vitamin A from beta-carotene, so they are unable to obtain it from carrots or other carotene-rich vegetables. With a lack of animal products in the diet, there is a deficiency of vitamin A, which primarily affects the vision, skin and coat of the animal.

As we see, to feed cats food for dogs all the time – means to ruin their health, and therefore should always pick up your pet's own high-quality diet, which has all the vitamins and nutrients he needs.

What are the differences between cat and dog food?

Although dogs and cats are carnivores, cats have a higher need for animal protein due to the history of their domestication. It happened much later than humans domesticated the ancestors of dogs, and cats became completely dependent on their owners for food only recently. Thus, they have not had time to develop the adaptive mechanisms that allow them to digest the grain and plant foods that have appeared in dogs.

Dry cat food should always have a higher animal protein content, so eating a regular dog food will leave them short on essential amino acids. In addition, dog foods also have less animal fat and some vitamins that are synthesized in their bodies and therefore do not necessarily have to come in ready-to-eat form. But for cats, many substances are essential and must be contained in dry food in sufficient quantities.

What are the risks for cats if they eat dog food?

A decrease in animal protein leads to a lack of essential amino acids for cats such as taurine and arginine, without which the cat risks serious cardiovascular diseases and impaired ammonia excretion (hyperammonemia), with irreversible consequences.

By neglecting fats, cats are deprived of their normal intake of the essential arachidonic acid, which participates in many body systems, from the reproductive system to the gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, our cat foods are specially fortified with fat-soluble vitamin A, which is essential for vision, growth, skin and coat health.

Thus dog food is in no way adequate nutrition for cats, and what is more, feeding it on a regular basis is dangerous to their health.

Why cats should not be given dog food

Cats and dogs belong to different mammal families: feline and canine. Although both pets belong to the predator family, they have different needs.

• Cats are obligate carnivores and have short intestines with poor enzymatic activity. Their bodies are not adapted to digest vegetables and grains, poorly metabolize carbohydrates and plant elements, so the basis of the diet consists of meat, offal and fish. Dogs, on the other hand, are omnivores – they need a high carbohydrate content for energy and normal intestinal motility. Their food, therefore, always contains vegetables and grains.
• Dogs and cats are carnivores, but they need different vitamins and minerals in different amounts. For example, taurine and arginine are not synthesized in cats. These amino acids are essential: taurine supports visual acuity and heart function, while arginine supports the liver. Dog diets may not contain them at all.
• Dog foods are fortified with phosphorus and calcium to strengthen joints and bones. For cats, however, such "richness" threatens the development of urolithiasis.
• Dog food contains fewer fat-soluble vitamins. Therefore, cats are deficient in carotene and tocopherol when they eat from their neighbor's plate, which affects the condition of their coat. And by systematically eating dog food, vision and reproductive functions are impaired.
• Different taste preferences. Dogs and cats have different numbers of taste buds: 1,700 versus 470. Dogs like meat better and cats are crazy about fish.

Pre-packaged food is convenient for the owner and good for the pet. Manufacturers of dry and wet food make separate lines for cats and dogs, taking into account the needs of pets. You don't have to pick up the ingredients and prepare them: the food, tailored to the species and age of the pet, contains all the nutrients, vitamins and minerals.

Of course, if your pet steals a little from your neighbor's bowls, then nothing bad will happen – after all, it's not poison. But the answer to the question of whether you can feed your cat dog food systematically is unambiguous – no way!

What's the difference between cat food and dog food

Differences in the needs and physiology of cats and dogs affect the formulation of dry and liquid foods.

• Dog food has less protein (meat) and more carbohydrates (grains). In cat foods, the opposite is true: more meat, less grains.
• Feline complete foods must contain the amino acids taurine and arginine: the pet's body does not produce them, they can only come from food. Dog foods may not contain them at all.
• Foods for cats contain arachidonic acid, which has positive effects on the reproductive system, gastrointestinal tract, brain function and other body systems. Dog food has much less or no arachidonic acid, because it is so important for the reproductive system, gastrointestinal system, brain function, and other systems. in the body of dogs the fatty acid is self-produced.
• Vitamin A and E content. Cats need more vitamins that improve night vision, affect the condition of the coat and skin.
• Niacin (vitamin B3). There is more of it in cat food.
• Dogs have larger jaws, and their food pellets are larger.

Foods also differ in protein components. Cats, for instance, love fish, and so the line with salmon and cod is often created for them. Responsible manufacturers do not offer lamb, as it is contraindicated for cats. But lamb is good for dogs. So before you give cat food to dogs, it's worth checking to see if it contains any obvious threat that could lead to an immediate allergic reaction.

Reasons why dogs love cat food

A dog can sneak food out of a neighbor's bowl for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, of course, is curiosity. Since animals have a much keener sense of smell than humans, they are well aware that the neighbor has a completely different food in his bowl. And the dog wonders if it might be tastier and better. Of course, you have to try it. In addition, manufacturers add flavorings to cat food to give the food an attractive smell. And the cheaper it is, the more such compounds are in it. A dog, especially if it is fed natural food, may decide that cat food tastes much better. This assumption is reinforced by the fact that someone else's food is, in principle, always "sweeter."

Another reason for a dog to eat cat food is trivial: lack of his own food. It can be a real hunger, caused by inattention or neglect on the part of the owner. Cats tend to leave food in their bowls and may come up to eat quite often. This eating style is typical for most of them. Dogs, on the other hand, usually eat the entire portion at once. And if the animal felt that it was not enough, it may start stealing.

In the other case the reason is greed, aggression towards the cat living next door, the desire to take a leadership position. The dog in this way may simply try to solve problems not directly related to food.

Why you should not give your dog cat food

You shouldn't panic if you suddenly find that your dog has tasted food from the cat's bowl. There's nothing wrong with that. It is not toxic substances, but quite normal food for such a living creature.

If the cat is fed high quality food belonging to the super premium or holistic category, it is not forbidden for dogs to eat after the cat. These are foods that contain healthy vitamins, trace elements, and useful compounds for good digestion. They contain a lot of meat, which is not contraindicated for a dog with a strong stomach.

The above does not apply to low quality cat food in the economy and premium categories (e.g., Kiteket or Whiskas).

• The dog is allergic to components of cat food, especially proteins (manifested by various reactions, most often skin reactions, up to and including anaphylaxis), most common in small breeds;
• after eating food intended for the cat, the dog is nauseated, vomiting, he clearly has abdominal pain, digestive distress;
• The dog is at an advanced age, suffering from various diseases, is not active.

In the above cases, the owner should take steps to ensure that the dog can not eat cat food in any way.

Giving the dog food intended for cats, all the time veterinarians strongly advise against it. This is because the developers take into account the needs of the cat's body, and they are very different from the needs of dogs.

Dogs should not be fed cat food all the time for the following reasons:

1. Developers of cat foods emphasize the protein component, which is why the percentage of protein in good quality products is quite high. This is due to the fact that the cat's digestive tract works differently: it is adapted only to digest soft meat fibers and does not take vegetable food well. For dogs, too much protein is contraindicated: regular protein overload leads to cardiovascular, digestive, kidney, liver and obesity problems.
2. Cat food is relatively low in zinc and vitamin E. This amount is not enough just for dogs, so the constant consumption of cat food develops a lack of these substances, which negatively affects the immune system, leads to metabolic disorders, inadequate absorption of fats and carbohydrates.
3. Products for cats necessarily contain taurine. For these animals, this amino acid is essential, which is why food developers introduce it into the food. The dog's body is able to synthesize it on its own, and with a constant intake from the outside, an excess of the substance develops. This threatens to change the acidity of the gastric environment, can provoke constant heartburn, which in the future is fraught with the development of gastritis.
4. An excess of animal fats in cat food can also negatively affect the health of the dog. Cats need more fatty acids, while in a dog excessive intake of these compounds can provoke obesity and, as a consequence, a host of other health problems.
5. High-end cat foods have a minimum of fiber, and the body doesn't need as much of it. A deficiency in a dog can provoke digestive disorders and the animal will suffer from constipation.

Possible consequences

If the cat tasted the dog's food, there is nothing wrong with it. Nothing will happen if she does it periodically for some reason. It is, after all, not poison for the cat.

Only situations in which she eats exclusively dog food should not be allowed. The cat's food should have its own, the only way to provide its body with all the necessary substances to maintain health.

Possible consequences of the constant consumption of dog food by the cat:

• Obesity, which develops from excessive carbohydrate intake;
• Anemia, a decrease in overall vitality due to a lack of essential amino acids;
• Taurine deficiency, leading to myocardial disorders, visual impairment;
• Disruption of the digestive system.

How to wean a cat from dog food

Noticing that the cat refuses the food intended for it and prefers food from the dog's bowl, the owner should take action. The animal may not understand that what seems more appealing in taste and smell does not provide the body's needs. The owner's job is to redirect the cat to a healthy, specially designed food.

Veterinarians and felinologists recommend the following course of action:

• Give the pets food in separate rooms, but at the same time, so the cat is less tempted;
• Take the dog food out of the bowl 10 minutes after feeding (if there is anything left over, as dogs usually eat the whole portion without trying to save it for later);
• If the dog is a large breed, you can buy a special stand for it, where the bowl will be just below the mouth level (for a cat this height will be inaccessible).

Also, you should reconsider the cat's diet. After all, the fact that she eats the dog's food may mean that her food is just not good enough for her. You should try offering her other brands of food, both dry and wet.

Giving a cat food for dogs is by no means acceptable if one cares about the health of one's pet. One should not give it even as a joke or as an experiment. This will make life easier for the owner and will save from possible financial costs for the treatment of the pet in the future.