Anyone who owns a dog or a cat knows that they will typically eat
anything they can get their paws on. While it is not harmful for a dog
to eat a cat’s food, it can be potentially hazardous for a cat to eat
a dog’s food. In moderation, a cat eating a dog’s food is probably
safe, but if the cat is only eating Fido’s dinner, they are probably
not getting the nutrients that are essential to their specific health
needs.

“Cats’ nutrition requirements are different than dogs’, they have
unique needs,” explains Dr. John Bauer, a professor of animal
nutrition at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine &Biomedical
Science. “Your cat is not going to get ill from eating the occasional
pieces of dog food, but if they are only eating dog food, then they are
not getting nutrients they need for a healthy life.”

If you have a cat that prefers to feast on their canine pal’s dinner,
it is important to know that there are five main nutrients, essential
to feline health, that are not balanced properly for proper feline
nutrition.

“First, cats require a higher protein to calorie ratio than dogs,”
notes Bauer. “Cats eat less than dogs. Therefore, they need to be
getting the protein needed from a smaller amount of food. By contrast,
dogs will eat a larger amount of food, thus getting the proper balance
of protein to calories

Also, cats are not able to make their own Vitamin A, which has to be
added to their food and is essential to their health.

“Dogs are able to make Vitamin A from beta-carotene,” explains
Bauer. “Since their bodies can create this vitamin, it is not
necessary for it to be in their food per se. . A dog could live with
only small amounts of vitamin A added into their food as long as they
are also getting beta-carotene, a cat cannot.”

Thirdly, Bauer explains that cats are not able to make the amino acid,
Taurine.

According to the Iam’s website, Taurine is important to maintain
proper feline heart function, vision, and reproduction. It is also
needed to form bile that helps with digestion.

A lack of Taurine can lead to the weakening of the heart muscles, which
in turn can cause heart failure. In addition to maintaining cardiac
health, this amino acid is also necessary for the proper development and
function of the retina cells in cat’s eyes. A taurine deficiency can
lead to the cells dying which can cause impaired vision and blindness.
Taurine also effects reproduction. To ensure proper structural
development of a kitten, both the mother and the baby must maintain
proper levels of taurine.

“Dogs are able to make taurine, meaning it does not have to be a
specific ingredient in their food,” notes Bauer. “Cats eating lots
of dog food will not be getting the necessary amount of taurine they
need to maintain their health.
Bauer also states that dog food does not need to have arachidonic acid,
a fatty acid essential to feline nutrition.

According to the article “Special Nutrition Needs of Cats,” found
on peteducation.com, arachidonic acid is necessary to produce an
inflammatory response that helps the body protect itself. It is
necessary for proper blood clotting, aids in regulating skin growth, and
is necessary for the functioning of reproductive and gastrointestinal
systems.

“Again, arachidonic acid is something that unlike dogs, cats are not
able to manufacture. Therefore, it is found in food for cats but is not
necessary in dog foods,” adds Bauer.

Bauer says the fifth nutrient cat’s need is Niacin, a B vitamin.

As stated by peteducation.com, Niacin deficiencies can cause loss of
appetite, inflamed gums, weight loss, and hemorrhagic diarrhea.

“Cat’s can’t make Niacin, they need to ingest this nutrient from
their food,” comments Bauer.

Cats and dogs require different levels and sources for nutrients they
need to maintain their health. If they are not getting proper amounts,
it can lead to health problems.

“If your cat sneaks dog food once in a while, it is not going to
compromise its health,” notes Bauer, “but if they are only eating
dog food then they are not going to be getting nutrients needed to
maintain their health. It is important your animal is eating food
designed for its specific nutritional needs.”

Likewise, a dog that eats cat food won’t be in danger of a lack of
needed nutrients, but that doesn’t mean it is healthy.

“Animal foods are made specifically for that species,” states
Bauer. “It’s all about ratios; cats eat smaller amounts of food, so
their food contains higher amounts of nutrients per piece. Even if dog
food had the proper nutrients for felines, the cat would have to eat
larger amounts of the dog food to get the same nutrients they would
receive from a serving of cat food.”