Is Cat Food Bad for Dogs?
Key takeaways:
Eating too much cat food can cause health problems for dogs.
Cat food is high in protein, which is hard on your dog’s kidneys and liver.
Dogs are omnivores (meat and vegetable eaters), so they require a more varied diet than cats do.
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It might look like all pet food is created equal. And if your dog eats human table scraps, cat food can’t be bad for dogs, right? Wrong. If your pup eats cat food frequently, it could strain their organs and possibly put extra weight on their body.
Dogs should not eat cat food. Here is why it’s best to keep the dog out of the kitty’s dish and stick with food formulated for canines.
Is it bad for a dog to eat cat food?
It’s not healthy for your dog to routinely eat cat food because cats and dogs have different nutritional requirements. Cat food lacks the proper balance of nutrients your dog needs.
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Cat food may not hurt your dog in the short term. But it’s best to keep your dog out of your cat’s food bowl and make sure they’re eating only dog food.
Possible side effects if your dog eats cat food
If your dog eats cat food as a primary source of nutrition, they will not get the proper balance of nutrients. This can result in the development of secondary health issues.
Pancreatitis
Consuming too much cat food puts dogs at risk of developing or worsening pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas. A high-fat diet has been identified as a risk factor for the development of pancreatitis in dogs. And cat foods typically contain a higher fat content than what’s recommended for dogs.
Symptoms of pancreatitis include:
Repeated vomiting
Painful or bloated abdomen
Dehydration
Lack of energy
Obesity
Since cat food is higher in protein and fat compared with dog food, regular consumption of cat food by a dog can lead to added weight. A few extra pounds may not seem like a big deal, but obesity can cause health issues for your dog.
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Studies show a link from obesity to inflammation and cancer in dogs. Extra weight also puts your dog at risk of other conditions like:
Diabetes
Breathing difficulties
Joint issues
Gastrointestinal upset
Unlike dogs, cats are true carnivores and need more meat in their diets. But the closer an animal’s diet is to containing all meat, the less balanced it is in digestive carbohydrates and fiber. Because of this, eating too much cat food could lead to digestive issues such as vomiting or diarrhea.
Differences between dog food and cat food
Cats are carnivores who have different nutritional needs, such as higher amino acid requirements. Therefore, cat food is formulated to meet these needs.
Dogs are omnivores, meaning they eat vegetables and meat. The proportions of vitamins and minerals in their foods differ from what’s in cat food. Here’s a sampling of how the two stack up side by side (on a dry matter basis).
Nutrient | Dog food requirements | Cat food requirements |
|---|---|---|
Protein | 18% | 26% |
Fat | 5.5% | 9% |
Arginine | 0.51% | 1.04% |
Taurine | 0% | 0.10% |
Trytophan | 0.16% (no set maximum) | 0.16% (maximum 1.7%) |
Calcium | 0.5% | 0.6% |
Phosphorus | 0.4% | 0.5% |
Potassium | 0.6% | 0.6% |
Iron | 40 mg/kg of body weight | 80 mg/kg of body weight |
Vitamin D | 500 IU/kg of body weight | 280 mg/kg of body weight |
Vitamin B12 | 0.028 mg/kg of body weight | 0.020 mg/kg of body weight |
Feeding guidelines for dogs
Your dog should eat a complete and balanced diet, meaning a diet that meets the nutritional requirements for your dog. The easiest way to do this is by choosing a commercially prepared dog food from a reputable pet retailer. Look for a diet that matches your dog’s age — puppies and older dogs have different nutritional requirements than adult dogs do.
Since there are many dog foods, the best tool you can use is to read the label on the pet food. Look for the “complete and balanced” statement on the product’s label. The labels on all commercial products follow the same or similar format, so familiarize yourself with how to read pet-food labels. You can also ask your vet to recommend a quality diet for your dog’s age, size, energy level, and breed.
The bottom line
Your dog may like sneaking into the cat’s food, but it’s best to stick with the dog chow. A few bites of kitty food here and there aren’t likely to do harm. But cats and dogs have different nutritional needs. If your dog eats too much cat food, they could develop pancreatitis, obesity, or digestive problems. So it’s best to keep your pup away from cat food and feed them a diet designed specifically for dogs.
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References
Association of American Feed Control Officials. (n.d.). AAFCO methods for substantiating nutritional adequacy of dog and cat foods.
Association of American Feed Control Officials. (n.d.). How to understand a dog or cat food label.
American Veterinary Medical Association. (n.d.). Your pet’s healthy weight.
Bosch, G., et al. (2017). Dietary nutrient profiles of wild wolves: Insights for optimal dog nutrition? The British Journal of Nutrition.
Brooks, W. (2023). Pancreatitis in dogs. Veterinary Partner.
Cridge, H., et al. (2022). New insights into the etiology, risk factors, and pathogenesis of pancreatitis in dogs: Potential impacts on clinical practice. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Legrand-Defretin, V. (1994). Differences between cats and dogs: a nutritional view. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society.
Marchi, P. H., et al. (2022). Obesity, inflammation, and cancer in dogs: Review and perspectives. Frontiers in Veterinary Science.
National Research Council. (2006). Your dog’s nutritional needs: A science-based guide for pet owners. National Academy of Sciences.
Tazerji, S. S., et al. (2024). Nutritional risks and consequences of meat-only diets for dogs and cats. German Journal of Veterinary Research.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2020). “Complete and balanced” pet food.
