If you share your home with dogs and cats, your dog eating cat food is probably a very common issue. Dogs love cat food. It smells better due to its large protein and fat content, and it’s usually sprayed with additional fats to entice finicky cats to eat it. Basically, cat food tastes and smells much better than dog food, so what’s not to love, right?
Well, cat food is terrible for dogs. Cats require higher protein and fat levels, so cat food can make most dogs very sick, especially if eaten long-term. As you probably already know, upset tummies, horrible gas and dreaded diarrhea usually follow occasional cat food raids if you’re lucky. Some dogs even require emergency veterinary care soon after.
In a perfect world, dogs would possess tremendous willpower to turn their noses away from tempting cat food, but it’s not going to happen. Can you always turn away from pizza, cupcakes, fried food or Doritos? It’s impossible. Prevention is key.
Store Cat Food High
Keep your cat’s food up high, so it’s out of your dog’s reach. Feed your cat on top of the washing machine, dryer or table, or create a kitty feeding station about five feet high, depending on your dog’s size. Your cat’s feeding area should be safe and in an easily accessible area. Please, refrain from feeding your cats on a moving washing machine and dryer—either turn it off or feed when not in use.
For older cats, create ramps made with non-skid or carpeted material. If made correctly, 90 percent of dogs won’t be able to scale a kitty ramp due to their size and agility. However, small dogs can easily figure it out, so it’s best to add a baby gate to keep them out.
Prop a Gate
If your dog is persistent and cat food is out at all times, it’s best to block your cat’s feeding area with a baby gate. Some dogs will spend hours trying to figure out how to scale the dryer. They’re determined to indulge in cat food. I firmly believe, if given plenty of opportunities, dogs will figure it out.
Choose a sturdy baby gate that can be easily hopped over by your cat. Most baby gates offer small openings made especially for cats to easily fit through, yet keep most dogs out. Sturdy is key because your dog may be able to and will push it down.
Hide Cat Food Bag
Cat food bags can easily be hidden behind closed doors. This will prevent most doggy gorging sessions. For persistent dogs, keep cat food in a tightly lidded container and place in a high cabinet with a closed door.
What Doesn’t Work
Punishing your dog while he’s swallowing mouthfuls of cat food doesn’t work. You may think punishment works, but in reality dogs will learn how to access cat food when you’re not around. They’ll learn punishment only happens when you’re around. Plus, most dogs will learn to eat cat food faster, as you approach because they know you’ll take it away. Punishment may seem to work at first, but it’s a slippery slope that usually backfires every time. Also, punishment can most certainly destroy the bond between you and your dog. Management and prevention work.
You may also like: Why You Should Feed Your Dog Bone Broth
Home / BeWell / Health & Nutrition / My Dog Is Eating Cat Food: Is it OK?
Most people who share their homes with both dogs and cats have asked the same question: Why is my dog eating cat food? The simple answer is, because it’s food!
Most dogs will eat anything and everything they can get their paws on, and cat food is no exception. That doesn’t mean they should be eating cat food, though, as it is species specific for a reason. But is cat food bad for dogs?
Is it Safe for Dogs to Eat Cat Food?
Can dogs eat cat food? Is it safe for them? A dog eating cat food “is not necessarily dangerous … if eating modest amounts rarely,” says Dr. Patrick Melese, DVM, MA, DACVB, a board certified veterinary behaviorist at Veterinary Behavior Consultants in San Diego, California.
But there are important differences between the dietary needs and tolerances of dogs and cats. Feline foods often are higher in protein and fat, while canine cuisines typically contain more fiber and carbohydrates.
Adverse reactions to a dog eating cat food include weight gain and obesity, vomiting and diarrhea. Other issues can stem from deficiencies or excesses of important vitamins and minerals.
If your pooch frequently sneaks cat food or is getting sick even from the occasional treat, it’s time to take action.
Stop Your Dog from Eating Cat Food
There are plenty of ways to prevent dogs from eating cat food, whether teaching your dog a command or putting up much-needed barriers. Here are five ways to put an end to your dog eating cat food.
1
Keep the Cat Food out of Your Dogs Reach.
“Since most cats can jump up higher to reach their food, you can place the cat food high away from your dog’s reach,” Dr. Melese says. But be sure to pick a spot without furniture, like a chair, that a “creative dog may use to get to the cat food,” he cautions.
One idea is to place the food at the very top of your cat tree. Not only is the food far away from your pup, but your feline has to work for his meal.
If your cat has a window perch at home, you can use K&H Pet Products’ EZ Mount Up & Away cat food bowls, so your cat can dine in peace.
Keep in mind that elderly cats “may not be able to access food that is higher,” Dr. Melese says. So be mindful of your cat’s needs and current abilities when choosing a method to keep your dog from eating cat food.
2
Put Up a Safety Gate.
Another option to prevent your pooch from eating cat food is to block off the cat’s eating area with a safety gate. Cats usually are able to jump over safety gates with ease while most dogs are unable to scale them.
“Try to find one that is harder for a dog to climb by avoiding horizontal cross supports,” Dr. Melese says. “Look for a gate that has vertical supports.”
Some gates allow for easy access for smaller pets, but will block dogs. For example, the Carlson Pet Products Extra Wide Walk-Thru Gate with Pet Door features a walk-through design for humans as well as a pet door for your cat to pass through.
3
Schedule Feeding Times.
Keeping dogs from eating cat food can be as simple as scheduling feeding times and staying close by as your kitty eats.
“Supervising while they eat can also cut down on food stealing by your hungry pooch,” Dr. Melese says.
You also can try feeding your dog and cat at the same time in different rooms so your pooch doesn’t get jealous or tempted to head to your feline’s bowl.
4
Teach Your Dog Commands.
If you prefer not to put up barriers or place the cat’s food higher up, then the “leave it” command could be the fix you’ve been looking for to stop your dog from eating the cat food.
Each time you catch your pooch heading toward the cat’s food bowl, use the leave it command to get to leave the food alone. Be sure to stay consistent with this command and continue to keep an eye on your dog so you can take action whenever she comes close to gobbling up the wrong food. Click here for more .
Avoid using “any harsh punishment, but rather instruct your dog what you want her to do and then reward her success,” Dr. Melese says.
Positive reinforcement goes a long way and will get you the respect needed to achieve the results you want.
5
Get the Perfect Bowl.
Don’t underestimate the power of the bowl. Your pet’s bowl could be the answer you’ve been looking for if you prefer to free feed so your cat can grab a bite whenever she pleases.
One such bowl is the SureFeed Microchip Small Dog & Cat Feeder. The feeder is programmable to only respond to a designated pet, so it keeps the food securely covered until that pet chooses to eat.
Once you choose the best choice for you and your furry family, your dog and your cat will thank you!
Lindsay Schencker
BeChewy Associate Editor
The moment Lindsay started her career here at Chewy, she hit the ground running in customer service; she knew that this is the company she wanted to grow with from then on. When Lindsay isn’t spending her time writing for BeChewy, she’s most likely binge-watching a Netflix series and cuddling up with her 80-pound fur baby, Dexter.