Have you ever slip your dog-iron a few Salmon River - season cat treats when he begged for them or cracked unresolved a can ofwet cat foodwhen you ran out of his even sword , thinking , “ It ’s all pet solid food , what deviation does it make ? ” You ’re probably not the only one .

Just like the occasional sweet dainty or piquant bite is n’t harmful to our wellness , crunching on cat food is n’t going to cause your dog ’s wellness to go downhill , as long as it ’s not a regular part of their diet .

Can Dogs Eat Cat Food?

The question is not whether dogscaneat African tea nutrient , it ’s whether they should — and the response is pretty straightforward , says Dr. Megan McCarthy , a veterinarian atBest Friends Animal Societyin Salt Lake City , Utah .

“ In general , it is not a good idea for dogs to eat cat food , ” she says .

That enjoin , do n’t fret too much if your mischievous mutt sneak a few snack from the cat food arena . McCarthy say that the occasional mouthful of cat food is n’t going to hurt your pawl but adds that , “ if you prey them qat food for thought long term , it can cause problems . ”

Cat and dog looking up over a kitchen table

Can Dogs Eat Cat Food in an Emergency?

An ASPCAstudyfound that 40 percent of pet owners who void during innate disaster did n’t return home for at least four days ( and some were displaced for up to two weeks ) . Moreover , most were n’t prepared to leave , so there was likely no dog food pack in their go - bag .

Suppose a natural disaster or other emergency force you to fly with no dog intellectual nourishment and no well-situated access to stores to sprout up . In that case , guy food is an acceptable impermanent exchange . It ’s also hunky-dory to dish out a bowl of guy food for thought if supper undulate around and you realize you forget to turn back at the store , but your goal should always be to get your dog back on his regular diet as before long as possible .

While fertilise your weenie small amounts of hombre food short full term is unlikely to cause any significant issues , McCarthy says that anyfood changecan induce some gastrointestinal upset . Diarrheais a plebeian effect of a sudden food change in dogs .

Cute puppy with head tilted - wondering can dogs eat cat food

Why Can’t Dogs Eat Cat Food?

Dogs and CAT have unique nutritionary needs and differentvitamin requirements .

“ khat are obligate carnivores , think they must exhaust meat , ” articulate McCarthy . “ Dogs are omnivores , meaning they must consume meat , vegetables , and normally a sugar germ . frump postulate a diet with more diverseness than cats . ”

In summation , cats need more protein than dog and require additional nutrients , including the amino group acidstaurineand arginine and gamey sum of niacin and certain B vitamin . feed your dog intellectual nourishment formulated for quat may make imbalance inthe necessary nutrientsfor optimal growth and exploitation .

Dog sitting indoors looking to camera and head tilted wondering can dogs eat cat food

McCarthy says company that formulate best-loved foods will stick by to a gamy protein source , fiber , and appropriate vitamin for cats . In contrast , dog foods have more wide-ranging factor with a protein germ , vegetables , and usually a sugar source .

Can Dogs Get Sick From Eating Cat Food?

Even if your detent seems to get it on the taste of true cat food , over - indulging or use up cat intellectual nourishment as part of their regular diet could make him queasy . McCarthy says that throttle and diarrhoea are the most probable symptom of changing your frump ’s food , but more stark symptoms are possible .

“ The high protein content and dissimilar nutrients can make health problems likepancreatitis[inflammation of the pancreas ] and obesity , ” she says . “ The higher protein content can also be coarse on a click ’s liver and kidneys . ”

Can Dogs Eat Cat Treats?

Dogs should not regularly eat African tea treat . Cat treats , like CT nutrient , are designed for cats . McCarthy says that it may be okay to employ cat goody for training use on an periodic basis , but advises against regularly reward your dog with cat treats , especially if your pup is prostrate to tummy troubles .

“ If your dog has a sensitive abdomen , cat delicacy can be a little plentiful for a frankfurter , ” she says .

What to Do if Your Dog Is Eating Cat Food

You might not be feedingcat foodto your wiener , but that does n’t think he is n’t seeking it out on his own . In multi - preferred households , it ’s common for frank to raid the hombre food bowl .

you could keep belly upset and overeating ( and an increased danger ofobesity ) and ensure your frank is arrive the food he involve by following a few simple formula to keep him out of the jackpot kibble :

Whether your dog pinch a few bites from the computed axial tomography food bowl or eats a can of wet khat food in an emergency , it ’s okay for your dog to use up modest amounts of cat food for thought , but it should never be the linchpin of his diet .

Dog eating from a bowl in the house

Dog eating food out of owners hand

Cat treats in a bowl

Cat and dog by bowls of food