can cats eat dog food

Can Cats Eat Dog Food?

Cat owners commonly wonder about the toxicity and safety of various human foods and even dog foods. Clients often ask many questions including can cats eat dog food?

The question about the safety of foods increased after learning that certain foods were toxic. The most important toxic foods to cats are onions, garlic, chocolate, alcohol, and excessive amounts of fish. Learn more about what cats can and can’t eat in this article: The Ultimate Guide to What Cats Can’t Eat.

Below, we will review the safety of dog food for cats.

Can Cats Eat Dog Food?

The answer to the question, “can cats eat dog food”… the answer is yes. Cats can eat dog food but only in moderation. Although most cats don’t care for it some cats do enjoy eating it.

The Dangers of Dog Food to Cats

Some cat owners, especially those with multiple cats or those that feed outdoor cats may be tempted to buy dog food. The costs of dog food can be half of cat food for the same size bag depending on the brand and quality of food.

The answer is pretty simple. You should not feed cats dog food for the majority of their calories. This is because cats have different nutritional requirements than dogs. Dog food does not fulfill the nutritional needs of cats.

Differences Between Dog and Cat Foods

There are several differences between cat and dog food. The primary differences include:

Do Cats Need Dog Food?

There is nothing in dog food that cats require on a regular basis. In fact, feeding dog food to a cat on a regular basis will cause nutritional deficiencies.

Cats require a high-quality AAFCO approved cat food. Learn more about Nutrition in Cats.

The Safest Way to Give Dog Food to Cats

It is not recommended to feed dog food to cats. The best thing to do is to feed a high-quality cat food.

How Much Dog Food Can You Give a Cat?

Many cats sneak and eat some dog food. It is not toxic and a few kibbles will not cause harm. As long as they also have access to eat high-quality cat food for the majority of his or her calories, there should not be a problem.

Can Cats Be Allergic to Dog Food?

While it is possible for a cat to be allergic to any food, cats are not allergic to dog food in general. However, cats can have food allergies and if they ingest an ingredient they are allergic to that is in the dog food, it is possible for them to be allergic to that food.

Who Can You Call About Suspected Toxicity in Cats?

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