Can dogs eat cat food?

Most people may have 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 a 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 than dogs. The dog is omnivorous while the cat is carnivorous. Cat food generally contains higher levels of fat and protein, and with it a higher total energy content. It also contains higher levels of certain vitamins, such as vitamin A, fatty acids, such as arachidonic acid, and amino acids, such as taurine.

Simplified, the two different animal species have different metabolism and nutritional needs, and should basically be fed with the feed that is adapted for each animal species. If cats eat dog food on a regular basis, there is a risk of severe nutritional deficiencies. But what happens if the situation is the opposite?

Is it dangerous for dogs to eat cat food?

Theoretically, cat food is not dangerous for dogs, the problem is rather that it becomes "too much of the good stuff". As mentioned, cat food is generally more energy-rich, and richer in fat and protein than dog food. There are simply too many calories, which means that there is an increased risk that the dog becomes overweight if the dog eats cat food for a longer period.

The higher fat content can also make the food more difficult to digest for the dog's digestive system. Dogs are more sensitive to high fat levels and are at risk of developing inflammation of the pancreas if the fat intake is too high.

With that said, there is no need to worry if the dog happens to steal a single mouthful (they usually think it is very tasty!), but dogs should not eat cat food on a regular basis or in large quantities.

So, dog food for dogs and cat food for cats

Our food recipes have been developed with our chief veterinarian Nicky Sluczanowski together with 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 special needs of our dog and cat friends.