Can Cats Eat Dog Food? Is It Bad or OK To Feed To Your Cat?

Whether you've got a blended house or are simply just interested in getting the cheaper option, many cat owners have wondered if there are any actual risks to your cat chowing down on some dog chow. And why wouldn't they? After all, dogs and cats aren't THAT different, right?

While cats and dogs do share some similarities, their digestive tract is more different than it is the same. Yes, in some emergencies, you can feed your cat dog food, but only for an emergency and for a very short period of time. This goes back to their inherent requirements for food and the differences in their digestion. 

You may think that the two share the same dietary requirements but dog food misses out on several nutritional aspects that are essential for a cat's health. 

For example, while both animals love to eat meat-based proteins, only cats are exclusively carnivorous, and dogs more or less are in the omnivorous family and able to consume different grains and vegetables along with their favorite cut of steak.

Below, we'll go over the differences in what cats require in their diet compared to dogs as well as what happens if your cat finds him/herself chowing down in the doggie bowl.

Can Cats Eat Dog Food? In short!

Can cays have dog food? The short answer is, while cats can technically eat dog food, it is not recommended as a long-term dietary solution. Cat and dog nutritional requirements differ significantly, with cats being obligate carnivores and requiring specific nutrients like taurine, arachidonic acid, and higher levels of protein. Feeding your cat a dog food consistently may lead to nutritional imbalances, weight loss, and deficiencies, negatively impacting their overall health. 

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What Are The Different Nutritional Needs? 

We need to understand the different dietary requirements at work here. As mentioned earlier, the biggest difference between the two animals is that dogs are omnivores while cats are strictly carnivores.

This means that, where a dog can get the majority of its nutrients from a wider variety of sources, cats can only rely on meat. And while most meats come jam-packed with an incredible amount of nutrients, that more or less only speaks to just how much a cat requires to stay healthy. 

In order for cats to not suffer nutritional deficiencies, they must eat foods that are high in protein, fat and fatty acids, vitamins & minerals, as well as various amino acids including taurine and arginine.

Let's take a look at the ingredient essentials in cat nutrition. 

Protein 

The requirements for protein consumption from cats are especially great. They are obligate carnivores and need a higher protein content. This comes from meat. Many veterinarians argue that cats should have between 35 and 45% of their made up of protein and protein food sources.

Taurine

Taurine is another essential part of a cat's diet. While not on quite the same level as protein, taurine is a necessary amino acid that is incredibly important when it comes to a cat's heart function. It also plays an important role as it pertains to their reproductive health as well as their overall vision.

As taurine is found exclusively in animal proteins, cats are required to have a heavy emphasis - if not a sole focus - on meat-based foods in order to handle their dietary essentials. So risking a taurine deficiency must be avoided at all costs.

Vitamin A

Cats, unlike some other animals, are unable to produce Vitamin A naturally and thus require it to be supplemented in their diet.

Although dog foods may contain Vitamin A, the amounts present are insufficient for a cat's nutritional needs. Cats experiencing a Vitamin A deficiency may exhibit symptoms such as poor coat quality, muscle weakness, deterioration, and potential night blindness.

Cats also require different nutritional requirements in the form of need higher proportions of protein in their diet than dogs, as well as taurine, arachidonic acid (essential fatty acid), vitamin A, and niacin

Taste Perception

Cats have a distinct way of perceiving taste compared to dogs. Unlike their canine counterparts, cats are unable to detect sweetness due to a difference in taste receptor abilities. 

Furthermore, the number of taste buds varies significantly between the two species, with cats possessing a mere 470 taste buds in contrast to dogs, who have 1,700. To put this into perspective, humans boast over 9,000 taste buds.

The Ideal Cat Food Diet 

Ideally, cats should be eating cat food that is very high in protein while also having a large amount of fat and calories as well as a fair bit of taurine. The protein amounts should be between 35 and 45% (with 30% as its absolute minimum) while also having between 15% and 20% of animal-based fats. 

The cat food should also use a highly digestible form of fiber and carbohydrates while containing an assortment of different essential vitamins, minerals, and enzymes.

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What Is The Difference Between Cat & Dog Food?

While there are a lot of similarities between cat and dog food, the biggest difference is that dog food contains a large number of grains and vegetables while a cat only can consume animal products. 

They won't necessarily get sick by eating vegetables, but they also can't use any of the nutrients a dog might for eating the same thing. This means things like rice and corn, while safe to eat in small amounts, won't do anything for a cat other than have it passed through their digestion. 

Can Cats Eat Dog Food Safely?

If you find your cat nibbling on some leftover dog food when you're not looking, don't freak out. As mentioned, dog food isn't necessarily "dangerous" to a cat so much as it is more or less useless to them. 

Especially on a regular basis instead of cat food, dog food can have some serious negative side effects on their overall health. This has less to do with what your cat may have a problem with and more to do with your cat just starving due to lack of nutrition.

In an absolute emergency, dog food is an adequate alternative to feeding your cat as it will still ensure they have food in their system and won't feel hungry.

The issue is when it comes to sustained consumption. If you find you're only feeding your cat dog food on a long-term basis, you're effectively stunting their growth and development. 

Just a few examples of why cat food is important for cats include the importance of protein and taurine. Protein helps your cat ensure they maintain their muscles while taurine is used for improving vision and digestion alongside overall heart function

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Can Cats Eat Dog Food: The Verdict

So, long story short, if all you've got is a can of dog food and all of the shops are closed, feeding it to your hungry kitty isn't necessarily going to be the end of the world. That said, it's just as important to note that prolonged use is going to result in your cat missing out on a plethora of important vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. 

Because dogs make up a solid portion of their diet from vegetable sources, their food can cause very serious problems for a cat over time.