Most people have probably heard that cats should not eat dog food, because cats have a higher need for certain amino acids, vitamins and fatty acids than dogs. But how does it work the other way around? Can dogs eat cat food, and if not, is there any reason to worry if they happen to steal a bite?
petgood's insect-based dog food is specially developed for the dog's nutritional needs. Our recipe is therefore adapted to the dog's need for protein, fat, energy, vitamins and minerals.
Can dogs eat cat food?
Cats are completely different animals from dogs. The dog is an omnivore while the cat is a carnivore. Cat food generally contains higher levels of fat and protein, and therefore a higher total energy content. It also contains higher levels of certain vitamins, like vitamin A, fatty acids, like arachidonic acid, and amino acids, like taurine.
Put simply, the two different animal species have different metabolisms and nutritional needs, and should basically be fed the food that is adapted for each species. If cats eat dog food regularly there is a risk of serious nutritional deficiencies. But what happens if the situation is reversed?
Is it dangerous for dogs to eat cat food?
Purely in theory, cat food is not dangerous for dogs; the problem is rather that it becomes "too much of a good thing". As mentioned, cat food is generally more energy-dense, and richer in fat and protein than dog food. It simply becomes too many calories, which means there is an increased risk that the dog becomes overweight if it eats cat food over a longer period.
The higher fat content can also make the food harder to digest for the dog's digestive system. Dogs are more sensitive to high fat levels and risk developing inflammation of the pancreas if the fat intake is too high.
That said, there is no reason to worry if the dog happens to steal a single bite (they usually think it is very tasty!), but dogs should not eat cat food regularly or in large amounts.
So, dog food for dogs and cat food for cats
Our food recipes have been developed together with our chief veterinarian Nicky Sluczanowski and small animal nutritionists. We base the nutritional content of all our recipes on current recommendations from FEDIAF and the latest research, so that our recipes are adapted in detail to the unique and specific needs of our dog and cat friends.