Can cats be given dog food?

The long-standing concept of “living like a cat and a dog” has lost its relevance today. Our pets coexist perfectly in the same territory. Moreover, they still protect each other, sleep and eat together from the same bowl. That's why many owners are worried about the question of whether it is possible to feed a cat with dog food, although she herself eats it with pleasure, pushing the dog aside and rumbling at the same time. Let's try to figure this out.

In the production of feed, the difference in the digestive systems of cats and dogs is taken into account.

Cats are obligate predators, they need a large amount of protein. And they can get it only from meat.

Dogs are omnivores. They, unlike cats, learned to get protein from plant foods.

Cats are only 10% able to absorb plant foods. Their intestines are shorter than omnivores, and they also have lower digestive enzyme activity. They need more animal food. The cat's body, unlike the internal systems of dogs, cannot synthesize amino acids, which play the most important role in their life. They should receive these substances with food.

• To strengthen the coat and skin, the cat needs linoleic acid. It also inhibits the development of inflammatory processes. With its lack, dandruff appears, wool begins to fall out, its luster is lost.Digestive upsets and frequent colds are also a clear sign of a lack of linoleic acid.
• Arachidonic acid is involved in the renewal of cat's cells. It affects blood coagulation, reproductive functions of the cat's body.
• To remove toxic compounds from the cat's body, arginine is needed. Ammonia compounds are formed in her body as a result of the breakdown of proteins. They are toxic. Irregular removal of them from the body of the animal can lead to serious ammonia poisoning. Intoxication is usually accompanied by nausea, lethargy, convulsive conditions, excessive salivation.
• Vitamin A responsible for visual acuity and immunity, regulates the growth of body cells.
• The metabolism of carbohydrates and proteins in a pet is affected by vitamin PP. It also maintains normal mucous membranes in the body of the animal. With its lack, dermatitis develops.
• One of the most essential amino acids for cats is taurine. Taurine is involved in the formation of nerve and muscle fibers, regulates the work of the heart. With a lack of this substance in the body, vision and digestion deteriorate. Lack of taurine also leads to the development of cardiomyopathy, weakening of the heart muscle.

Cat and dog dry feeds are distinguished by a balance of nutrients.

They have a different composition of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

• The composition of feline protein should be at least 40%. The main focus is on protein. Cats need fairly high-calorie foods due to their accelerated metabolism. In addition, feline foods have more phosphorus.
• Fiber is the basis in dog food. The protein in it is about 25%. Dog food contains more magnesium, potassium and calcium than cat food.
• With a lot of cereals in dog food, The cat’s digestive system does not do well.
• When a cat eats dog food, she has a lack of vitamin A. As a result, hair loss and visual impairment are possible.
• The cat needs taurine. This amino acid is not available in dog foods. Taurine supports the cat's immune and nervous systems. It stimulates the work of the heart and affects blood coagulation. When digesting fats, this amino acid plays an important role.
• Dogs need less protein for normal life than cats. Therefore, food for cats contains more of it.
• The cat lacks iodine and biotin in the dog food, as well as vitamins B and E. And the content of vitamins D, K, C, A exceeds the amount necessary for the cat. Calcium and magnesium in dog food are also more than what a cat needs.

First, we clarify the differences between dry and wet food. Each species has its own advantages.

Dry nutrition prevents the formation of plaque on the teeth and tartar in the pet. It favorably affects the development of the jaw muscles, the need for chewing is satisfied. In this case, a lack of moisture in the body of the animal can lead to urolithiasis.

70% of the wet industrial feed consists of a liquid component, which reduces the risk of urinary tract diseases. Canned food is more easily absorbed by the body of the pet.

The high content of carbohydrates in the dry form of the feed and their long digestion can lead to overeating and obesity. These problems may be followed by diabetes.

When combining these two types of feed, it is necessary to take into account the different period of their assimilation by the digestive system of the pet. Therefore, it is better to alternate feeding with a dry variety of feed and wet every day. And it is advisable to use the products of one manufacturer: they are more suitable for each other.

The composition of the feed for dogs and cats (both dry and wet) is balanced specifically for the body of a particular animal. Therefore, when feeding a cat wet dog food, his health problems may arise the same as when feeding a dry species.

If wet dog food serves only as a treat for a cat and gets into it infrequently, then there will not be much harm from this. But there’s no benefit either, since wet foods contain less nutrients for the animal than dry ones.

The main condition for the health of the pet is proper nutrition. Choose feed necessary, based on a number of important criteria.

• Weight and size of the pet. Modern manufacturers produce a variety of feed lines. The label usually indicates the norms of feeding depending on the weight of the animal.
• His age. As many already know, kittens should not be given food intended for an adult cat. The digestive system of adults is different from the digestion of kittens and old felines. Therefore, food should be selected in accordance with age.
• The intensity of the load during the day. The percentage of carbohydrate content in the feed depends on this. If the animal does not move much, then an excess of carbohydrates will lead to health problems.
• Presence of disease, recommended diet. It is necessary to take into account the recommendations of the veterinarian when selecting complementary foods for a not-so-healthy pet.
• Pregnancy or feeding offspring. Here, too, have their own nuances: you need food with a high content of vitamins and minerals.
• Recommendations for the breed of pet. Such feed is also present in the line of manufacturers. Or you need to follow the advice of professionals in this area.
• Nutritional appeal. It often happens that a pet refuses to eat certain types of feed. Therefore, it is necessary to choose a diet that will not only be useful. It is also important that the food is to the liking of the pet, otherwise he may go on a hunger strike.

When a cat is fed dog food, its body does not receive all the substances necessary for normal functioning. This leads to pet health problems.

It is better to feed a cat and a dog at different times or in different places. Then they will not be able to steal feed from each other. You need to teach them to eat the whole portion at a time.

It will be safer to remove the feed out of the reach of pets.

The cat’s rare use of canine delicacies will not bring him much harm, and the consequences will not be noticeable. A regular feeding of dog food can lead to serious illness, and the difference in the behavior of the pet will be noticeable.

The same can be said about feeding the dog cat food. Dogs also often like to feast on someone else's bowl.

About whether it is possible to give a cat dog food is discussed in the following video: