My dog keeps eating the cat’s food…is this safe?
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Danielle DeGroot.
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February 3, 2025 at 12:26 pm #137591
MynameisButterbean
Verified ParticipantI have both cats and dogs, and while I feed them in separate areas, one of my dogs always goes after the cat food left in the bowl. If given a choice, he would probably eat the cat food over his own, and I feed him decent stuff. Is it okay for dogs to eat cat food? Do you have any ideas on how I can break this habit?
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February 8, 2025 at 12:27 am #138135
Danielle DeGroot
ModeratorHi Butterbean, this is a great question and one I have dealt with myself as I, too, have cats and dogs. It’s not uncommon for dogs to show an interest in cat food, and while it may seem harmless or even cute, it’s worth taking a closer look at whether it’s okay for dogs to eat cat food and how to manage this habit.
While it’s not toxic or dangerous for dogs to occasionally nibble on cat food, it’s not ideal as a regular part of their diet. Cat food is formulated specifically to meet the nutritional needs of cats, which differ from those of dogs. Cat food tends to have higher levels of protein and fat, as cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they need more meat-based nutrients. For dogs, eating too much cat food can lead to an imbalance in their diet, potentially causing weight gain, digestive issues, and even pancreatitis due to the high-fat content. In addition, this could result in nutritional deficiencies over time if the dog isn’t getting the right balance of nutrients designed for them.
To help curb your dog’s cat food obsession, here are a few strategies:
Make Cat Food Less Accessible:
Try elevating the cat’s food dish or placing it in an area your dog can’t reach. A high counter, a cat tree, or a cat-only space can be great solutions.
Supervise Mealtimes:
You could supervise your dog during mealtimes to prevent him from sneaking over to the cat’s bowl. This could be as simple as keeping your dog in a different room while the cats eat or keeping him distracted with his own food or a toy.
Train a “Leave It” Command:
Teaching your dog a “leave it” command can be very effective in these situations. With patience and positive reinforcement, your dog can learn that cat food isn’t for him, and he’ll be more likely to leave it alone when prompted.
Feed Both Pets Simultaneously:
Try feeding your dog and cat at the same time but in separate spaces. If the dog learns to associate meal times with staying away from the cat’s bowl, he might eventually lose interest.
You might also want to experiment with feeding your dog and cat at different times so that the temptation of cat food doesn’t even arise. Also, providing high-quality, tasty dog food can make your dog feel more satisfied, reducing the likelihood that he will feel the urge to snack on the cat’s food.
You can learn more about this in our detailed article Can Cats Eat Dog Food? – which includes tips from Dr. Hannah Godfrey, BVetMed MRCVS. I hope this helps!
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