How Bad Is Cat Food For Dogs

Be Proactive & Save Yourself From Expensive Vet Bills

If your dog eats something and gets sick, the vet bill can be tough for pet parents to stomach. Take the proactive step and consider pet insurance before you find yourself rushing to the vet. That way, if an unsuspecting treat becomes a medical emergency, your dog will be better off. Check out this video explaining what pet insurance is and why its worth it.

See something we missed? Does your pup have a favorite food youd like to learn more about?

Can Dogs Eat Dry Cat Food

Cat kibble and cat biscuits can be a much healthier alternative to treats or rewards compared to commonly used human foods, such as chicken, peanut butter, and cheese.

But again, dry cat food will be designed to satisfy a cats nutritional requirements rather than a dogs. This type of food is quite high in carbohydrates from meat sources and doesnt contain many plant-based ingredients. In addition, dry cat food is meant to be chewed up by cats, whose teeth are sharper and thinner, and will not succeed in cleaning a dogs teeth as well as dry dog food.

Lets Take A Look At Some Of The Worst Ingredients On A Cat Food Label

Well start out by identifying specific ingredients that tell you a lot about the quality of the food.

As a general rule of thumb, remember that the first three ingredients on the cat food label should be meat. If corn, peas, or rice are in the first, second, or third spot on the cat food label, pass up that product.

Remember that ingredients are ordered by weight.

Ingredient splitting is a common tactic used to create the illusion of a higher meat concentration. If a food contains multiple variations of corn, for example, its possible that, if all the corn ingredients were lumped together, they would be the first ingredient on the list.

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Can Dogs Eat Marijuana

Marijuana contains THC, a psychoactive chemical that causes a high in people. Just a small amount of marijuana can be toxic to dogs. Here are the common symptoms of marijuana toxicity in dogs: slow response times, dribbling urine, heart rate change, neurological stimulation, hyperactivity, coma, and even death. Read more about dogs and marijuana.

Merrick Brand Dog Food

The ingredients that make Merrick a great choice include deboned duck, deboned chicken, turkey meal, salmon meal which is a source of omega 3 fatty acids, peas, potatoes, sweet potatoes, potato protein and lamb meal.

Merrick dog food also uses duck fat and chicken fat preserved with mixed tocopherols, blueberries, apples, salmon oil, organic alfalfa, natural flavor and salt.

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Foods Poisonous To Dogs And Cats

Certain foods that are good for humans can be dangerous and even toxic to pets leading to a variety of health problems. Protect your dog or cat by not letting them get their paws on these dangerous foods.

Print out this handy PDF to hang on your fridge as a reminder of what foods are toxic to our beloved animals.

Chocolate

When you ask someone What foods are toxic to dogs? chocolate is often the first to come to mind. Chocolate toxicity can cause vomiting, diarrhea, heart arrhythmias and seizures, and can even be fatal. This is due to an ingredient in chocolate called theobromine, which can be poisonous to pets. The darker the chocolate and the smaller the dog, the greater the danger. Consult your veterinarian if your dog eats any.

Fatty foods

Tails wag at the scent of greasy and high-fat cheeseburgers, bacon and fried foods, but dont give in to their begging. While these foods arent toxic, consumption can lead to vomiting, diarrhea and gas, and can result in pancreatitis and gastrointestinal issues.

Fat trimmings and bones

No more rewarding your pet with fat trimmed from your steak, chicken or pork. You run the risk of causing pancreas and liver problems. Be cautious of leftover bones, too cooked bones are more likely to splinter, and the sharp pieces of bone can tear digestive organs and cause internal bleeding.

Onions and garlic

Nuts

Raw eggs

Raw fish

Salt

Mushrooms

Avocado

Grapes and raisins

Cherries

Fruit with pits

Complications Of Feeding Cat Food To Dogs

If your dog eats a lot of cat food on a regular basis, or if you are feeding your dog a diet of cat food instead of dog food, complications may arise, as it does not have the correct balance of protein, fiber, and all of the nutrients dogs need to stay healthy.

Dogs can certainly survive on cat food in a tough spot, but the nutrient imbalance can lead to gastrointestinal upset, obesity, and pancreatitis. Pancreatitis requires immediate veterinary care. Symptoms include abdominal pain and a hunched back, lethargy and weakness, appetite loss, vomiting and diarrhea, a distended abdomen, and fever. Even if your dog eats cat food and suffers no obvious ill effects, the high protein levels can be hard on his liver and kidney.

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Dont Cut Corners On Cat Food

Poor diet is another main cause of bad pet breath in both cats and dogs.

A common myth is that canned cat food causes more plaque buildup. But thats all it is: a myth. Oftentimes, cats that only eat dry food are not getting the nutrition they need. Additionally, theyre more prone to dehydration. Dehydration is not only dangerous to a cats health, it can also cause bad breath.

Whether you go wet or dry, heres the key takeaway: quality counts. A low-quality wet food will not be better for your cat than a high-quality dry food. Check out these unbiased cat food reviews.

Do More For Your Furry Friends With These Best Homemade Cat Food Recipes

Other than whipping up homemade cat food recipes to satisfy your fussy furry eaters, you can also show your fluffy pals some tender loving care by bringing them to the groomers! Check out these best places for pet grooming in Singapore to give your pets a good trim and pamper them with a spa treatment! Meanwhile, improve your pets indoor living conditions with these pet-friendly home decor ideas. Dont forget to join the Shopee Pawrents Club for exclusive deals on pet food, toys and more!

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Lemons And Limes: Cant Eat

Lemons and limes can be toxic to your dog.

This is because the skins of lemons and limes contain a substance called psoralen, which can cause dogs to have gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea .

If very large amounts of psoralen are consumed by dogs, more severe symptoms, such as muscle tremors, difficulty walking, liver failure and death, can result.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Meat & Fish

Raw meat and fish can become contaminated with bacteria, such as E. coli, which can cause food poisoning. Additionally, some fish can contain a parasite that causes fish disease or salmon poisoning disease .

Symptoms of food poisoning include vomiting, fever, and enlarged lymph nodes. Cooked, unseasoned fish is perfectly fine because the cooking process kills the parasites. Be sure to remove all bones to avoid choking or internal organ risks.

Feeding raw meat is not recommended because there is a risk of food-borne disease for the dog, as well as the person preparing the food. Although raw diets for dogs are increasing in popularity, organizations like the FDA and American Veterinary Medical Association advise against feeding them.

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Construct A Feeding Chamber For Your Cat

If you are the DIY type, you can make your cat a secure feeding chamber that allows him to eat in peace and prevents your dog from stealing his food.

You can make such a feeding chamber in several different ways, but the simplest way is to just purchase a large plastic storage box and cut a door in the side that is big enough for your cat, yet too small for your dog. Serve up dinner inside the container and voila! Canine-free cat food consumption.

Is It Safe For My Dog To Eat My Cats Food Or Vice Versa

An occasional nibble from the wrong bowl wont do any harm for most petsother than possibly an upset tummy.

However, there are good reasons to avoid feeding your dogs food to your cat over the long run.

Here are just a couple examples of how dog and cat foods are specialized to each species unique nutritional needs

• Cats require a higher percentage of protein and fat in their food, since they are true carnivores, while dogs are omnivores. A cat that eats dog food wont receive all the nutrients they need.

Also, dogs who eat cat food could put on excess weight, get stomach upset, or develop pancreatitis .

• Cats and dogs have different requirements for many vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements. For example, cats need a diet supplemented with higher levels of taurine and vitamin Aand eating dog food could result in deficiencies, leading to heart or vision problems.

Again, for most healthy dogs and cats, theres no need to worry if there was an accidental food mix-up.

Just make sure your pets receive the right recipe for their needs over the long-term.

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Will A Dog Go Blind From Eating Cat Food

You cannot blame dogs for going blind if they eat cat food because it tastes good. Nevertheless, some cats may become blind by eating dog food. An extremely small amount of taurine is found in the animal equivalent of dog food, as dogs do not need taurine inside their bodies so they can make their own with a lot of it.

Can Dogs Drink Alcohol

Do not give your dog alcohol on purpose. Alcohol can cause not only intoxication, lack of coordination, weak breathing, and abnormal acidity but potentially even coma or death. Find out what dogs can drink safely.

This includes rubbing alcohol and alcohol in hand sanitizers.

When eaten or licked off the paws in large amounts, alcohol-based hand sanitizers can cause digestive upset such as vomiting or can even cause alcohol toxicity if the alcohol content is high enough. Elizabeth Racine, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

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Can Dogs Eat Pineapples

Pineapple is safe for your dog to eat. It has many vitamins and minerals, which can help boost your dogs immune system and digestive health. However, pineapple is high in sugar, so moderation is key. If youd like to learn more about safely giving your dog pineapple, read our can dogs eat pineapple article.

Tips To Discourage Pet Food Sharing

Thankfully, keeping your pets’ noses out of each other’s bowls is possible with a little planning and forward thinking. The Cummings Veterinary Medical Center at Tufts University explains that you can keep your pets focused on their own meals by trying the following tips:

If you’re still having trouble feeding your pets separately, seek the guidance of a pet trainer who can help you modify your pets’ behaviors. Or, let your vet know your dog ate cat food they may be able to share some feeding tricks to curb these habits.

Cat food is for cats. Dog food is for dogs. It really is best to feed them their respective food to ensure they get the proper nutrition they need and deserve. A random treat swap or hoovering a stray kibble from the floor won’t hurt your pet, but it’s not a good idea to offer up one big bowl of food each day and assume all of your pets are being nourished in the ways their bodies need. If you’re unsure which types of food would be ideal for your pets, chat with your vet about your pets’ current health conditions, ages and nutrient needs. After all, your pets deserve the best.

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Why Dogs Like Cat Food

From a dogs point of view, cat food is extremely appealing. First, its more likely to be left out all day long for free-choice feeding, as opposed to dog food that tends to be served at set mealtimes and removed a short time later.

Next, cat food often has higher levels of protein and fat than dog food, and many dogs find that attractive.

A History Of Customer Complaints

Thanks to blogging, social media, and sites like ConsumerAffairs, customers have a louder voice than ever before. A web search will give you the consumer pulse in moments.

The worst cat food brands earn thousands of complaints. Youll know if people have found pieces of bone or metal in the food, noticed their cats getting sick after a meal, or have other negative experiences with the brand.

Sometimes things go wrong. When your company is huge and sells to millions of customers each year, the likelihood that youll have complaints increases. In this sense, numerous customer complaints arent always indicative of a bad company. Look at the consistency of the complaints and pay attention to the brands response to them.

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Will Cat Food Hurt Dogs

To put it differently, you should avoid cat food when it comes to dogs since it has a lot of fat, calories, and protein. While it would not be surprising for the animals to suffer tragic deaths if cat food is stolen from an innocent cats bowl, eating cat food that has been purchased from a reputable retailer is unlikely to accomplish the same.

Can Dogs Eat Almonds

If a dog eats almonds, it can cause diarrhea, gas, loss of appetite, lethargy, upset stomach, and vomiting. Almonds can also be a choking hazard and can obstruct your dogs airways. Additionally, almonds can be high in salt and fat, which can cause your dog to retain water and gain weight. Learn more about dogs eating almonds.

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What Happens When A Dog Eats Cat Treats

If your dog eats one or two cat treats, theres nothing to worry about. Cat treats are generally safe for dogs as they dont contain any toxic ingredients. Look out for signs of stomach upset, including abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea, and call your vet if you become worried about your dog at any time.

Adopt A Regular Dental Routine

Pet dental care doesnt get any better or easier than with the Oxyfresh Pet Dental Kit.

This convenient little kit features everything you need to give your pets dental care right at home or on the go!

What makes our products special is, unlike most store brands, they dont merely MASK bad breath with alcohol, harsh chemicals, mints, clove oils, and artificial flavors ingredients that can irritate and sting already sore gums while doing nothing to stop the plaque attack.

Instead, we use our totally exclusive Oxygene®, a safe, gentle, 100% non-toxic ingredient that completely neutralizes bad breath molecules on contact while fighting plaque and tartar.

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The Truth About Corn Wheat And Soy In Pet Food

Did you know that Tail Blazers does not sell food that contains soy, corn, or wheat? There are actually several ingredients we dont allow into our food choices, but do you know WHY?

The first, and most important reason, is that soy, corn, and wheat are not species appropriate and are not meant to be consumed by cats or dogs.

Soy is one of the most genetically modified foods on the planet. While their crops are covered in pesticides, everything dies, except for the soy. It is left to absorb all of those chemicals that were sprayed onto the crops. And, if its in the soy it will go into your pet.

Soy also wreaks havoc with the endocrine system causing problems for thyroid function. Soy has been falsely advertised as a health food, but in our opinion, it is most definitely NOT.

Corn. It is very common to see corn at the top of many of the more inferior pet foods ingredients panels. Corn is also more often than not, genetically modified and although many people call corn a vegetable, it is actually a grain. It also converts to sugar in the body, which has a negative affect on your pet. Sugar puts stress on the organs, and causes GI tract upset.

And finally, there is wheat. Wheat contains high amounts of gluten, which damages the small intestine, alters gut flora, and can lead to autoimmune disease. It can also cause inflammation leading to joint pain. There is little to no nutritional value in wheat, so we feel it has no place in your pets diet.

Can Puppies Eat Cat Food

If your puppy sneaks some cat food from time to time, it shouldnt be a problem. However, feeding them cat food regularly and as a replacement for proper puppy food is a different story. Puppies that are still developing need a nutritionally balanced diet suitable for their fast growth rate. Feeding your puppy cat food can quickly make them overweight and result in musculoskeletal problems.

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Does Corn Contribute To Behavior Problems

I have read many forum posts on the internet that claim that feeding a diet high in corn can contribute to behavior problems in dogs. People who say this, believe that corn can interfere with serotonin levels in the brain. Corn does not contain much of the amino acid tryptophan and tryptophan is necessary to make serotonin. The rationale is that feeding a diet that is high in corn would result in lower tryptophan levels which could result in lower serotonin levels in the brain.

I did a thorough review of several research studies11,12,13 on this topic and here is what I found:

• There are studies showing that low tryptophan levels can affect behavior.
• There are studies showing that low serotonin levels can affect behavior.
• There are no studies that show that having corn in a diet affects behavior.