Can Cats Eat Dog Food? Why a Species-Specfic Diet Matters

Compared to dog food, cat food is:

Higher in protein

• Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they have a high requirement for dietary protein
• Dogs are omnivores so they get their nutrition from both meat and vegetables

Supplemented with essential amino acids eg taurine, arginine, methionine

• Certain amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) such as taurine, arginine and methionine are known as 'essential amino acids' as cats' bodies are unable to synthesise these and therefore must consume them in their diet.
• Deficiencies in these amino acids can lead to serious health problems. For example, taurine deficiency can lead to: retinal degeneration (blindness), reproductive issues and Dilated Cardiomyopathy (heart disease).
• Dogs can produce taurine themselves and therefore dog food is not supplemented with taurine

Higher in fat

Cats have a limited ability to handle carbohydrates and so have little to no dietary need for them (however they can use carbs as an energy source)

• In the wild, cats consume prey high in protein with moderate amounts of fat, and minimal amounts of carbohydrates, and therefore their bodies are metabolically adapted for this.
• In dogs carbohydrates play a larger role in their diet

Supplemented with essential vitamins eg Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin D

• Cats require the active forms of vitamin A and vitamin D in their diet (as they are unable to synthesise adequate amounts themselves)
• Vitamin A is important for eye, skin and coat health, while vitamin D is important for bone health and regulating calcium levels in the body
• They also have a higher dietary requirement for many B vitamins (eg thiamine and niacin). B vitamins are important for many bodily roles including energy metabolism.
• Cat food includes higher quantities of these vitamins compared to dog food

Supplemented with essential fatty acids eg arachidonic acid

• Cats are unable to synthesis certain essential fatty acids and therefore these also must be consumed in their diet.
• Arachidonic acid is important in regulating skin growth, reproductive and gastrointestinal health, and blood clotting.
• Dogs are able to make arachidonic acid themselves, and thus only cat food is supplemented with this fatty acid

Higher in calories

• Cats require a higher level of protein and fat in their diet. According to the guidelines set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), adult cat food should contain (on a dry matter basis), a minimum of 26% crude protein and minimum of 9% crude fat, compared to adult dog food which should contain a minimum of 18% crude protein and 5.5% crude fat.
• Cat food is therefore higher in calories than dog food

Specific taste profile to appeal to cats

• Cats have fewer taste buds than dogs, and don't have the taste buds for sweetness

Adapted kibble size and shape to suit cats

• Cat food itself is often smaller in portion size to dogs
• The kibble is adapted to the jaw size and chewing style of cats, which differs to that of dogs

Cats also have a lower thirst drive than dogs, meaning that encouraging them to drink water is really important. Feeding wet food is a major factor in cats due to its high water content, and offering multiple water sources and water fountains around your home is also more important in cats.