Although dogs are known for their omnivorous nature and often happily finish off leftovers from all family members, feeding them cat food is not the best idea.
One random serving won’t cause harm, but regular consumption of food not intended for a specific species can lead to digestive disorders, especially in small breeds.
The main reason is that cats and dogs have different needs. Cats are obligate carnivores; they require a high level of protein, taurine, vitamin A, and arachidonic acid. These substances are vital but are not produced by their bodies. Dogs, on the other hand, are omnivores: they can digest both meat and plant food, and they also synthesize some substances that are unavailable to cats.
Cat food contains more protein and fat than a dog needs. Constant consumption of such food can lead to obesity, liver, and kidney diseases in dogs. At the same time, cats should not eat dog food: it lacks sufficient taurine and vitamins, which over time can cause serious problems with vision, heart, and metabolism.
If you run out of food, it’s better to temporarily offer your pet boiled chicken with rice or zucchini than to substitute their diet with food meant for another animal. And if you have both a cat and a dog at home, try to place the bowls so that each eats only their own food.
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