Introduction
Why do dogs seem so interested in their feline companion’s food? This phenomenon is common in multi-pet households, with dogs eagerly gobbling up any unattended cat kibble they can find. While dog food and cat food may appear similar at first glance, there are some key differences that make cat food enticing for dogs. Understanding the nutritional, texture, smell, and behavioral motivations behind this behavior can help pet owners manage it appropriately.
In this article, we’ll explore the many factors that draw dogs to cat food, when it could be harmful, and tips to discourage the behavior. By looking at the issue from a dog’s perspective, cat owners can address it constructively while keeping their pets happy, healthy, and out of each other’s bowls.
Nutritional Differences
Dog and cat foods differ quite a bit nutritionally due to the different dietary requirements of dogs and cats. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they need to eat meat to acquire certain nutrients. As a result, cat food tends to be much higher in protein and fat compared to dog food. Most cat foods contain at least 30% protein, whereas many dog foods contain around 18-25% protein. Cats also cannot synthesize certain amino acids like taurine, so cat food must contain added taurine. Dogs can make their own taurine so it is not as crucial in dog food.
While cats thrive on high protein, high fat diets, dogs have evolved to utilize carbohydrates and fiber better than cats. Most dog foods contain corn, wheat, rice and other grains to provide carbs and fiber. These ingredients are not necessary for cats. Cats also need 2-3 times more calories per pound of body weight compared to dogs, so cat food has higher caloric density. Overall, the high protein, fat and calorie content of cat food can cause weight gain and gastrointestinal issues if fed long-term to dogs.
Sources:
https://www.meowmix.com/cat-care/difference-between-dog-and-cat-food
https://www.purinainstitute.com/centresquare/understanding-pet-food/can-dogs-cats-eat-same-food
Taste Preferences
Dogs have different and much more sensitive taste preferences compared to cats. According to Dogs Vs. Cats: A Comparison of the 5 Senses – midoricide, the average dog has around 1,700 taste buds compared to only 473 for cats. This allows dogs to detect a wider range of flavors.
In particular, dogs are strongly attracted to foods high in fats, proteins, and sugars. Their evolutionary history as hunters has led them to crave meaty flavors and fat-rich foods. On the other hand, cats evolved as obligate carnivores and are attracted mainly to meat flavors rather than sweets. This difference in taste preferences likely explains why dogs find cat kibble, which is high in meat proteins and amino acids, to be irresistible.
The unique taste and aroma of cat kibble, while unappealing to humans, provides a savory and appetizing experience for dogs. So when a dog gets access to a cat’s food bowl, the smell and taste often overrides any training to avoid the tempting morsels.
Texture
One reason dogs may prefer cat kibble is the texture. Cat kibble is often smaller in size and crunchier than dog kibble. As explained by pet food experts, “When it comes to pet food, texture is influenced by several factors including: kibble size, kibble density, and moisture levels.” (Source) The smaller, denser kibble pieces provide a satisfying crunch for dogs.
Cats tend to prefer smaller, crunchy kibble while most dog kibble is larger and softer. The smaller size and crunchy texture of cat kibble is often more appealing to a dog’s preferences and taste buds. They enjoy chewing the tiny crunchy pieces packed with flavor. So the texture of cat kibble, being smaller and crunchier, is one reason dogs are attracted to and will readily eat it.
Smell
Dogs have an incredibly powerful sense of smell that is 10,000 to 100,000 times stronger than humans. Their sense of smell comes from about 300 million smell receptors compared to only 6 million in humans. This allows dogs to detect scents and odor molecules at very low concentrations that humans cannot even perceive [1].
Cat food contains high amounts of protein and fat from ingredients like fish, chicken, beef, and eggs. These ingredients give off appetizing scents and aroma compounds that dogs can pick up on even from a distance. The smell triggers interest and drives them to seek out and eat the cat food. Even though the kibble may look uninteresting to humans, to dogs the smell tells them it is a tasty, high-value food worth eating [2].
Curiosity
Dogs are naturally curious and scavenging animals. According to AKC, their hunting instincts mean that they are constantly exploring with their noses to find new foods to try. This extends to cat food, which is novel and has an enticing smell and taste. The strong meaty aroma of cat food can pique dogs’ interest, leading them to investigate and try to access the food. Their scavenger nature makes dogs perpetually interested in exploring potential food sources, which draws them to cat kibble even when they have their own food available.
Attention Seeking
Some dogs may eat a cat’s food to get attention from their owner. Dogs are very social animals and often crave interaction with people. Eating the cat’s food is an easy way to get a reaction. As soon as the owner sees the dog nosing around the cat’s food bowl, they will likely yell the dog’s name, clap their hands, or give another negative reaction to deter the behavior. For some dogs, even negative attention is better than no attention at all. The dog quickly learns that eating the cat’s food reliably results in getting human interaction.
According to the AKC, “dogs eat cat food for the simple fact that it is food. If the cat food is there, available, edible (to the dog) and the dog is hungry — they will eat it. For this reason, be sure to supervise your dog any time cat food is around, especially if your dog is very food motivated!” (https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-cat-food/)
Anxiety
Dogs may eat cat food due to separation anxiety. Dogs with separation anxiety may exhibit destructive behaviors like eating cat food when their owners leave them alone. The dog resorts to eating the cat’s food because it provides distraction and comfort. Separation anxiety stems from the dog’s hyperattachment to the owner and fear of abandonment. Eating cat food replaces the dog’s anxiety with the comfort of eating. Owners can curb this behavior through proper training, providing enrichment activities when leaving the dog alone, and medications if recommended by a veterinarian (source).
Supervision
One of the most effective ways to keep dogs out of the cat’s food is to supervise mealtimes.[1] Feed cats in a separate room that the dog can’t access. Close doors and use baby gates to restrict the dog’s access while the cat is eating. Stay with the cat during mealtimes to monitor the dog and make sure he doesn’t get into the cat food. Use puzzle feeders or treat balls to make the cat work for its food – this encourages them to eat more slowly so you don’t have to supervise for as long.
Set up a feeding station for the cat that is elevated or blocked from the dog’s access. Place the food bowls on a counter or shelf the dog can’t reach. Use furniture or baby gates to block the dog’s path. There are also commercial feeders available that have lids, doors, or slots that only allow the cat to access the food.
While supervising them, provide a distraction for the dog like a frozen Kong or chew toy to keep them occupied and disinterested in the cat’s food. Give the dog praise and treats for leaving the cat’s food alone during this training time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, dogs should not eat cat food on a regular basis. While cat food likely won’t cause severe illness in dogs if consumed occasionally, it does not provide optimal nutrition for canines over time. Cats and dogs have very different nutritional needs – cats require more protein and fat, whereas dogs require more carbohydrates and fiber. Eating cat food long-term can cause vitamin and mineral deficiencies in dogs, which may lead to skin, coat, or other health issues.
It’s important to feed pets species-appropriate diets to meet their unique nutritional requirements. Cat food contains more calories concentrated per bite than dog food, which can also lead to weight gain in dogs over time. While dogs may find cat food tempting due to smell, taste, or texture, owners should stick to feeding dogs high-quality dog food for balanced nutrition. With proper canine nutrition and exercise, dogs can live long, healthy, and happy lives as cherished family members.