At home, dogs and cats may be tempted to eat from the same bowl, which can lead to rivalries and bad habits.
It is therefore recommended to quickly set up suitable spaces and closely monitor the animals' meals.
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Can dogs and cats eat the same food?
Regardless of the breeds living at home, each animal has specific needs.
These depend on several factors such as state of health, age or even the species.
And while videos sometimes show animals sharing the same bowl of food, dogs and cats actually have very different dietary needs.
For example, dogs need more protein while cats need taurine in their diet.
If their food is identical, the risk of deficiency is increased.
In addition, if one animal has health problems and the other animal eats this food, health problems may appear even though the latter is in great shape.
Even if they are the same age and were raised together, a dog and a cat living together in the same household must have their own food.
But this observation can also concern two or more cats living together in the same household.
If the siblings are all healthy dogs or cats, they can eat the same thing.
However, a ritual must be put in place so as not to turn the meal into a battle.
Also read: How to get a dog and a cat to live together?
What to do if your animals don't eat the same thing?
In case of different meals for the 4-legged companions in the house, setting up rituals is essential.
Firstly, it is important to define a specific dining area for each animal, dog and cat.
For greater comfort, these dining areas can be in different rooms.
Since the cat eats several small quantities per day, installing a bowl high up creates a secure space where the animal can eat without being disturbed.
This also helps prevent food theft by other animals.
If necessary, the purchase of an automatic dispenser can be considered.
For dogs, setting up meals at a fixed time is an ideal solution.
Food must be given every day at the same time, in the dining area assigned to the animal and above all under the supervision of one of the owners.
This last instruction is crucial to ensure that no other animal disturbs the dog during the meal and to ensure that it eats correctly.