Is it safe for cats to eat dog food? In short, no. While small amounts of dog food will usually not harm a cat, long-term feeding of dog food to cats can cause complications. Cats may eat a dog's food for a variety of reasons, including hunger, trying to establish dominance, or being enticed by the smell. Although cat food and dog food seem similar, there are some important differences. Learn about the differences between cat and dog food and how to prevent your cat from taking a bite from your dog's plate.

Why Shouldn’t Cats Eat Dog Food Long-Term?

Cats have different nutritional needs than dogs. They are obligate carnivores, meaning they require animal protein to thrive. Dog food does not contain the proper amounts of protein, taurine, and other vitamins and minerals needed to support cat health. In addition, the content of calories, fat, and water in dog food may be inappropriate for cats.

What Are the Differences Between Cat Food and Dog Food?

Cat food is higher in protein, fat, and certain vitamins and minerals, all of which are essential nutrients for cats. Cat food contains taurine, which is minimal or lacking altogether in dog food. Cat food is higher in arachidonic acid, niacin, and vitamin A, which you won't find in the right quantity for cats in dog food. Finally, cat food is both smaller (making it easier for cats to eat) and higher in calories than dog food.

What To Do If Your Cat Eats Dog Food

If your cat eats a few bites of dog food every once in a while, you probably have nothing to worry about. Eating dog food may be more problematic if your cat has an allergy, a sensitive stomach, or a health problem with diet restrictions. If your cat seems sick after eating dog food, make a note of the type of food your cat ate and talk to your vet about potential complications.

If you find that your cat has been eating large amounts of dog food on a regular basis, then you should contact your vet for advice. Your cat may need an examination and lab tests to evaluate overall health and check for evidence of malnutrition.

How to Prevent Your Cat From Eating Dog Food

Take steps to prevent your cat from finding dog food by keeping the food out of reach. Avoid free-feeding of all pets in the home and pick up bowls of leftover food. You can also try using automated feeders and keeping your pets separate during meal times.

Synchronizing meal times and feeding your pets in different rooms during their set meal times can help prevent your cat from getting access to a dog's food. Many times, cats will rush to their designated feeding spots instead of lingering near the dog’s bowl. 

What Food Can Cats Eat?

There are several different types of commercial cat food available for purchase, including dry food, canned food, and raw food.

Wet Food

Many experts now recommend feeding some or all wet cat food to help maintain hydration, minimize carbohydrate intake, and promote a healthy urinary tract. Cats do not need carbohydrates to thrive and cat food is generally considerably lower in this macronutrient than dog food.

In fact, a high carbohydrate intake in cats is associated with diabetes and obesity. In addition, cats don't tend to drink enough water to stay well-hydrated. This can lead to problems with the urinary tract and kidneys.

Dry Food

Despite the reported benefits of wet food, some cats prefer dry food and will not eat enough wet food to stay healthy. Some cats even become addicted to dry food and need to be gradually transitioned to wet food for health benefits. Your veterinarian can help you decide if your cat needs to begin eating wet food rather than dry kibble—or find a good balance between premium dry cat food and wet food options.

Raw Food

Raw food has become increasingly popular among some cat owners. Those who support raw food for cats claim that the diet mimics the way cats eat in the wild. However, there are always safety risks when feeding raw meat. Many cats will be digest raw food, but food-borne pathogens and cross-contamination can cause cats and humans in the home to become ill.

If you want to learn more about feeding raw food to cats, talk to your veterinarian for advice. Also, be aware that pre-prepared raw food diets for cats are lower in plant-based ingredients and higher in amino acids than their doggy counterparts.

Cat Food Regulations

Only cat food with the Association of American Feed Control Officials seal should be fed to cats. Look closely at the food label for information about life stage recommendations. If you have a kitten, pregnant cat, or nursing cat, you should choose a food labeled "for growth" or "for all life stages."