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Can Cats Eat Dog Food?
I'll spare you all the long story of what's behind the question, but I
called my Vet's office and got a less than satisfactory answer to the question. The person who tried to answer went on about cats needing a higher protien diet than dogs, since they were carnivors (and what, praytell, are dogs?) etc., etc. I was told something about needing more meat, and wondered to myself *whence commeth dry cat food, such as Meow Mix?* Our ferals scarfed up Pedigree dog food, to the last trace in the bowel. Regarding the need for more protien, if such is the case, why not eat more of it? So far, I think I've been getting the benefit of well intentioned, but unsupported, conjecture. Anybody know the answer? Cheers, Jack |
"JHBennett" wrote I'll spare you all the long story of what's behind the question, but I called my Vet's office and got a less than satisfactory answer to the question. The person who tried to answer went on about cats needing a higher protien diet than dogs, since they were carnivors This is true. (and what, praytell, are dogs?) Dogs are omnivorous. etc., etc. I was told something about needing more meat, and wondered to myself *whence commeth dry cat food, such as Meow Mix?* Dry cat food is not nutritionally sound (don't believe the commercials!), and often causes kidney damage. Our ferals scarfed up Pedigree dog food, to the last trace in the bowel. Regarding the need for more protien, if such is the case, why not eat more of it? Probably their tummies were full from all the veggies in there, which are completely useless to cats. They need more meat. -- Marina |
I have read and been told that cat food contains an ingredient called
Tourine, which is vital to a cat's eye sight. Dog food doesn't have it. Margaret |
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"Karen Chuplis" wrote in message ... in article , Marina at wrote on 9/5/03 1:51 AM: "JHBennett" wrote I'll spare you all the long story of what's behind the question, but I called my Vet's office and got a less than satisfactory answer to the question. The person who tried to answer went on about cats needing a higher protien diet than dogs, since they were carnivors This is true. (and what, praytell, are dogs?) Dogs are omnivorous. etc., etc. I was told something about needing more meat, and wondered to myself *whence commeth dry cat food, such as Meow Mix?* Dry cat food is not nutritionally sound (don't believe the commercials!), and often causes kidney damage. Our ferals scarfed up Pedigree dog food, to the last trace in the bowel. Regarding the need for more protien, if such is the case, why not eat more of it? Probably their tummies were full from all the veggies in there, which are completely useless to cats. They need more meat. -- Marina Absolutely. Most essentially, besides not enough protien, dog food lacks taurine (aside from a few other essentials) which is absolutely a factor in cat health. Cats lacking this (an element provided only in animal meat) can develop blindness and other illness. It is essential, even if a cheaper brand, to feed the cat food, not dog food. I repeat it's imperative to feed them cat food. Karen Ah ha! Gotcha, Karen. Now I understand and thanks ;-) Jack |
JHBennett wrote:
Hmmmmm........ Without the human animal to provide *foods* other than meat, I'd argue not. Not picking a fight, but I see much the same parallel with Dogs will eat anything they can put in their mouths. Furthermore, they can survive just fine on a vegetarian diet. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they MUST eat meat to survive, since they don't naturally produce all the necessary aminoacids/proteins they need. consistent or which makes sense. I suppose it isn't essential that I know THE definitive answer, but I am curious. --JB A great resource for cat nutrition is in Max's page: http://www.maxshouse.com/feline_nutrition.htm day (sometimes 2 cans, depending on whether they show up for roll call), they doing alright, or should I/we be concerned about feeding dry food? It is better to feed wet food. The worse canned food is better than the best dry food. On a somewhat tangient matter, considering dry cat food, I sense there is an argument to be made that cats are no more carnivors than dogs. My Nope. Cats cannot survive on a vegetarian diet, dogs can. system, particularly with older dogs. He illustrated his point by relating how someone had given their pet a chunk of fat from a steak, about a 1/2" cube, which induced a pancreas attack, leading to the dogs death in less than an hour, despite his every effort to save it. --JB How exactly does fat produce a "pancreas attack" (is that like a heart attack? sounds bogus to me)???? Cheers. -- Victor M. Martinez http://www.che.utexas.edu/~martiv |
"Jette Goldie" wrote in message ... Dogs, on the other hand, can happily survive on catfood - in fact one of the local vets suggests feeding elderly and ailing dogs on cat food because it is more nourishing for them. Cat food nearly killed our first dog. She went into kidney failure at seven. And that was just what she stole from the cat. The high protein is hard on their kidneys. This was before we learned to be picky about buying non-grocery store foods. Now we feed Nutro. However, I never found a better training snack for a dog than a few pieces of cat kibble kept in a pocket. And cat food might be nourishing for some elderly dogs who are simply not eating. (Mine says she'd rather have steak and lamb) But most senior dog foods contain more cereal (rice) not less than food for younger animals. Jo |
I know from personal experience that cats eating dog food shortens
their lives and ruins their kidneys. . . .my baby would eat our dogs food instead of his, and I would give him some to make sure he ate something, and it ended up making him lose his fur and get really sick a lot. Hope this helps! Kierstyn "Marina" wrote in message ... "JHBennett" wrote I'll spare you all the long story of what's behind the question, but I called my Vet's office and got a less than satisfactory answer to the question. The person who tried to answer went on about cats needing a higher protien diet than dogs, since they were carnivors This is true. (and what, praytell, are dogs?) Dogs are omnivorous. etc., etc. I was told something about needing more meat, and wondered to myself *whence commeth dry cat food, such as Meow Mix?* Dry cat food is not nutritionally sound (don't believe the commercials!), and often causes kidney damage. Our ferals scarfed up Pedigree dog food, to the last trace in the bowel. Regarding the need for more protien, if such is the case, why not eat more of it? Probably their tummies were full from all the veggies in there, which are completely useless to cats. They need more meat. |
In a word......taurine.
"Jo Firey" wrote in message ... : : : "Jette Goldie" wrote in message : ... : : Dogs, on the other hand, can happily survive on catfood - in : fact one of the local vets suggests feeding elderly and ailing : dogs on cat food because it is more nourishing for them. : : Cat food nearly killed our first dog. She went into kidney failure at seven. And : that was just what she stole from the cat. The high protein is hard on their : kidneys. This was before we learned to be picky about buying non-grocery store : foods. Now we feed Nutro. : : However, I never found a better training snack for a dog than a few pieces of cat : kibble kept in a pocket. : : And cat food might be nourishing for some elderly dogs who are simply not eating. : (Mine says she'd rather have steak and lamb) But most senior dog foods contain more : cereal (rice) not less than food for younger animals. : : Jo : : : |
"JHBennett" had some very interesting things to say
about Can Cats Eat Dog Food?: I'll spare you all the long story of what's behind the question, but I called my Vet's office and got a less than satisfactory answer to the question. The person who tried to answer went on about cats needing a higher protien diet than dogs, since they were carnivors (and what, praytell, are dogs?) etc., etc. I was told something about needing more meat, and wondered to myself *whence commeth dry cat food, such as Meow Mix?* Our ferals scarfed up Pedigree dog food, to the last trace in the bowel. Regarding the need for more protien, if such is the case, why not eat more of it? So far, I think I've been getting the benefit of well intentioned, but unsupported, conjecture. Anybody know the answer? I do know that cat food contains a nutrient called "taurine" that is essential to cats [they go blind or worse without it], but that dogs don't need, so it's not found in dog food in sufficient quantity for a cat's needs. -- Seanette Blaylock "You attribute perfect rationality to the whole of humanity, which has to be one of the most misguided assumptions ever." - Alan Krueger in NANAE [make obvious correction to address to send e-mail] |
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