As of: March 23, 2024, 6:00 a.m
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Does your cat like to eat from the dog bowl?
We'll explain why this is dangerous in the long run and how you can stop your cat from stealing.
If you keep cats with dogs, the cat may sometimes eat the dog food.
If it's isolated cases, you don't need to worry.
But if this happens regularly, you should take action.
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Dog food for cats: why it is not healthy
Unlike dogs, cats are strict carnivores.
They hardly eat any carbohydrates or plant parts that are difficult to digest.
That's why their intestines aren't particularly long.
Instead, they need a protein-rich diet with sufficient taurine.
Because they cannot produce this amino acid themselves like dogs can.
This is of course reflected in the corresponding food: good cat food mainly contains meat and fish, while dog food often also contains grains and vegetables.
That's why dog food contains too little protein and too many carbohydrates for cats - and above all, it lacks the important taurine.
Dogs and cats should not share food.
© Monika Wisniewska / Imago
How dangerous is dog food for cats?
If your cat snacks on the dog every now and then, it's not dangerous.
As long as these remain isolated cases, there will be no damage to health.
Only cats with previous illnesses should not be given dog food at all.
The situation is different with regular consumption.
A cat that constantly eats dog food will definitely suffer from severe nutritional deficiencies at some point.
Due to the acute taurine deficiency, your velvet paw can, for example, develop vision problems or even go blind.
In addition, the many carbohydrates in dog food often lead to gastrointestinal problems and diarrhea.
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How to prevent your cat from eating dog food
If your furry friend is constantly using the dog bowl, there are a few little tricks:
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It is best to let dogs and cats eat in different rooms, or at least in different corners of the room.
Feed dogs and cats at different times.
You should dispose of any leftover food your dog may have left quickly.
This way you can train your dog to eat his food straight away.
If you use a clicker, you can also use it to divert the cat's attention away from the dog food.
Always remember: the quantity makes the poison.
So make sure that the cat's access to the dog food is limited.