Can Cats Eat Dog Food? Yes, they can… However, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. cats can eat dog foods but only for a short period of time.
This is because cats and dogs have different dietary needs due to the fact that cats are carnivorous while dogs are omnivorous. This means that cats only eat meat while dogs eat meat, grains, and some vegetables so if you feed your cat with dog food it will grow to become malnourished since it does not get the required amount of proteins it needs from dog food.
What your cat needs to eat
Your cat needs to eat foods rich in;
- High quantities of meat and fish
- Animal-based fats
- Digestible carbohydrates and fiber
- Mineral salts
- Amino acids such as taurine and arginine
- Fatty acids and enzymes
Dangerous foods that cats should not eat
There are some foods dangerous for cats and you should avoid them at all costs.
1. Tuna
You should avoid feeding your cat with tuna because they can easily get addicted to it. Feeding them tuna for consecutive meals will also lead to malnutrition and while too much could lead to mercury poisoning. Therefore, feed it sparingly and avoid it being a regular meal.
2. Onions, Garlic, Chives
Any given form of onion whether powder, cooked, or raw onions might be harmful to your cat. Onions in cats break down their red blood cells which lead to anemia and can potentially be fatal.
3. Milk and other dairy products
These are the common products most of us are used to feeding our cats. This can be dangerous because most cats are lactose intolerant since their digestive systems cannot digest these products leading to diarrhea.
4. Alcohol
This might be taken lightly but alcohol has the same effect on their liver and brain the same as humans. Two teaspoons of whisky are good enough to put a fully grown cat in a coma and one more would kill it. So if you do love your cat don’t give it alcohol and make sure to keep your liquor out of its reach.
5. Caffeine
Large amounts of caffeine either from tea and coffee could actually be fatal to your cat and there is no antidote for caffeine poisoning.
6. Chocolate
Chocolates of all kinds contain a compound called theobromine which is dangerous to cats. So don’t try feeding your cat chocolate in form of treats since you might be the cause of its death
7. Raw eggs
Raw eggs can be dangerous for your cat since it might get a bacterial infection such as salmonella. Raw eggs also contain avidin which interferes with absorption of Vitamin B which later on interferes with its coat development.
