Can Dogs Eat Cat Food? What Actually Differs Between Them
A mouthful of cat food now and then tends to pass without harm for a dog; as an everyday diet, it does not work. In our catalog, adult cat food averages 35.8% protein on the guaranteed analysis, against 26.6% for adult dog food. A dog that lives on cat food gets a nutrient profile built for another species.
Homes with both a dog and a cat have this risk on the kitchen floor: the cat's bowl turns into a snack. This guide covers what happens when the dog eats it, what differs between the two foods, whether a cat can go the other way and how to keep the bowls apart.
Can dogs eat cat food once in a while?
Yes, in small amounts and without making it a habit: the American Kennel Club (AKC) says a dog is unlikely to be harmed by grabbing a little of the cat's food now and then, but that it should not happen consistently. If the dog does react, the likely result is vomiting and diarrhea.
The AKC says that eating cat food occasionally may cause nothing more than vomiting and diarrhea, and that this varies from dog to dog. If your dog shows signs of gastrointestinal upset after eating cat food, the guidance is to call your veterinarian (AKC — Can Dogs Eat Cat Food?).
The risk shows up when it becomes routine. According to the AKC, a dog that eats a lot of cat food often, or that gets only cat food in place of dog food, can suffer complications, because it lacks the balance of protein, fiber and other nutrients a dog needs. The source names gastrointestinal upset, obesity and pancreatitis, and says the high protein can be hard on the liver and kidneys even when there are no visible ill effects.
Pancreatitis requires immediate veterinary care, according to the AKC. The signs it lists are abdominal pain and a hunched back, lethargy and weakness, appetite loss, vomiting and diarrhea, a distended abdomen and fever.
What is the difference between dog food and cat food?
The core difference is the species: the cat is an obligate carnivore and the dog is an omnivore, and cat food carries far more animal-based protein. The AKC says that extra meat, with its strong smell and flavor, may be why cat food is so appealing to dogs.
The AKC explains that cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they must eat meat out of biological necessity, while dogs are omnivores and need a more varied diet. The page states that cat food is much higher in meat-based protein than dog food. A dog's craving for the cat's bowl is smell and flavor, not a sign that it is good for them. Unless your veterinarian recommends otherwise, the best food for your dog is dog food (AKC — Can Dogs Eat Cat Food?).
Our catalog shows the protein gap in practice. The table compares adult foods, using the guaranteed analysis values on the bag (as-fed basis):
| Average of adult foods | Dog | Cat |
|---|---|---|
| Foods in the catalog | 36 | 39 |
| Crude protein | 26.6% | 35.8% |
| Crude fat | 14.3% | 14.3% |
| Energy (kcal/kg) | 3,681 | 3,689 |
Protein is the difference that shows. Average fat and energy sit close across the two species; the nutrient profile, not the calorie count, is what separates the foods. Averages hide spread: adult dog foods range from 20% to 38% protein , so always check the label of the food you use.
Can cats eat dog food?
Not as a diet either, and for the cat the problem is more serious: the AKC says cats cannot survive on dog food alone. Dog food lacks sufficient vitamin A and taurine, is deficient in arachidonic acid and does not carry the meat-protein level a cat needs.
The AKC draws the parallel: just as it is dangerous to feed only cat food to dogs, cats cannot survive on dog food alone. The page names four shortfalls in dog food for a cat: vitamin A, taurine, arachidonic acid and adequate meat protein (AKC — Can Dogs Eat Cat Food?).
For the cat, the answer is a complete and balanced food made for the species. The cat food ranking shows the options in our catalog.
How do I stop one pet from eating the other's food?
Take the cat food out of the dog's reach. For a dog that tends to grab the cat's food, the AKC recommends changing where the cat's food is stored or where and how the cat is fed, and keeping the food out of the dog's reach when no one is watching.
Dogs, the AKC says, get into cat food all the time: some steal from the bowl, others open bags and containers. So it pays to cover two points, the bowl and the bag. The AKC also asks owners to watch how the dog reacts to any new food and to talk to the veterinarian about any concerns (AKC — Can Dogs Eat Cat Food?).
With the cat's bowl sorted out, the dog needs a food of its own, complete and balanced for the species. The shopping block at the end of this post shows adult dog foods from the catalog, and the dog food ranking lines them all up side by side.
Frequently asked questions
My dog ate cat food. What should I do?
Watch them. The AKC says an occasional episode may end in vomiting and diarrhea, and that if the dog shows signs of gastrointestinal upset, the next step is to call the veterinarian. Abdominal pain, a hunched back, weakness, appetite loss and fever are signs of pancreatitis, which the AKC treats as a case for immediate care.
Can a dog live on cat food alone?
No. The AKC states that a dog can certainly survive on cat food in a tough spot, but the nutrient imbalance can lead to gastrointestinal upset, obesity and pancreatitis. Unless your veterinarian says otherwise, the best food for your dog is dog food.
Can cats eat dog food?
Not as a diet. According to the AKC, dog food lacks sufficient vitamin A and taurine, is deficient in arachidonic acid and does not provide the meat protein a cat needs.
Why does my dog prefer the cat's food?
Smell and flavor. The AKC explains that cat food is much higher in meat-based protein and that this may be why it appeals to dogs. Craving it does not mean it is the right food.
The rule is simple: each species' food stays in that species' bowl. A slip now and then rarely becomes a problem; the habit does.
Picked by score from our overall dog ranking, not by the topic of this article. To get it right for your pet — age, weight, spayed or neutered — take the quiz and get a list made for them. A pet with a diagnosed condition needs a diet prescribed by a veterinarian.
