Can you feed a cat dog food?

There is this female stray cat that lives in the backyard of my new home. I'm not sure what to do with her at this time. (If the 3Ms like her, then I may let her stay, but if they don't like her, then I'll take her to the shelter) - so I don't want to invest in cat food just yet. Can I give her dog food?. I don't want to make her sick, or anything. The cat doesn't belong to anyone in the neighborhood, but she is very sweet. She lets me pick her up and carries her around, and always come up to rub her head against me when she sees me.

Not reccomended.

Dog food doesn't have the correct nutrients for cats.

Cat food, on the other hand, can be fed to dogs.

even if she is only there for a few days a small bag of decent cat food is not expensive. Get the cat food and give her a good meal. I am sure she could use it being a stray.

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Originally Posted by beeniesmom

Not reccomended.

Dog food doesn't have the correct nutrients for cats.

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That's correct! For example, dog food doesn't contain enough taurine, which is essential for cats!

Kirsten

A small bag of cat food cost under $8 at most big grocery stores. If you dont use all of it a local shelter would love the left overs.

I wouldn't give the kitty dog food. And I also heard if you give dogs cat food, they can get cancer.

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Originally Posted by KittyGurl

I wouldn't give the kitty dog food. And I also heard if you give dogs cat food, they can get cancer.

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I don't know about that. When I was a kid, my poodle DeeDee (who lived to be 15) ate Friskies.... that's all she'd eat for some reason... I know strange.

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Originally Posted by KittyGurl

And I also heard if you give dogs cat food, they can get cancer.

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I think it's true.. not sure about cancer..but they can get sick. Like Dog food, cat food doesn't have the correct amount of nutrients for a dog either. Our little dog Boo boo used to eat cat food a lot, he would steal it off the picnic table where we would put out food for the cats. We mentioned it to the vet and he told us to make SURE that he doesn't get into too much more of it because it could make him really sick...

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Originally Posted by beeniesmom

Not reccomended.

Dog food doesn't have the correct nutrients for cats.

Cat food, on the other hand, can be fed to dogs.

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This is true. Not much of an investment to get a few cats of wet food and
a small bag of kibble. I feed 3 extra cats(strays) who always show up for
supper here. :) It's always just these 3, and I've gotten to know them
pretty well.

When my family was in a tight finantial situation my dog ate our old cats food. Itt never made her sik.Sorry if i mess up on my spelling because my gerbil is running around on my sholders as i speak...
OUCH! Stop that, Little bit!

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Originally Posted by Kirsten

That's correct! For example, dog food doesn't contain enough taurine, which is essential for cats!

Kirsten

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You could even pick up a few cans of cat food for a few bucks; she may not be able to find water easily and the extra moisture will help her. While it is not the top quality food, it is still better than her scrounging around in the trash cans!

Cat food is very high protein. That's what cats need. Along with taurine and those other nutrients specific to cats.

Dog food is much lower protein. A dog who eats cat food consistently is stressing the kidneys, purging all that extra protein from the body. Not a good thing.

Let us know about the kitty!

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Originally Posted by beeniesmom

Cat food, on the other hand, can be fed to dogs.

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it can be, but shouldn't especially canned food because it's very high in protein and not good for dogs to eat. :)

but no, you shouldn't feed a cat dog food. I'd just go get some canned cat food for the cat and if you can dry cat food.

I've heard before that some dogs will not eat anything but catfood, not sure if it is true. But I wouldn't risk feeding the cat the dog food if you are unsure. Hopefully your pups will get along with kitty.

Why don't you just get some canned food? It's like 49 cents or maybe less.

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Originally Posted by buttercup132

Why don't you just get some canned food? It's like 49 cents or maybe less.

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or you can get them in 4 packs and they aren't even that much. :)

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Originally Posted by buttercup132

Why don't you just get some canned food? It's like 49 cents or maybe less.

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With the new house, some necessary remodelings, and moving our time is very limited, and our dollars stretched to the max. Normally I wouldn't mind buying her food, but under circumtances, I can't. She appears healthy & well-fed. Just by looking at her, you wouldn't be able to tell if she's a house cat or a stray. I'm sure other neighbors are feeding her, too.

I'm not too worry about the cat getting hungry. But since I have some leftover dogfood, I just gave it to her, but I'm afraid I might hurt her by doing so. Maybe I should stop feeding her alltogether. I do leave plenty of water out for her though.

I took some pictures of her the other day, but I'm not sure where I packed my card reader! You guys may have to wait until I unpack everything & find it :). She is a black & white tabby cat, i think.

once maybe until you can get to the store - but not as their only diet. It lacks I think Tuarine which is vital for cats - even the cheap foods have it.
A co-worker of mine has fed her cat dog food for years and I would get more response talking to the wall telling her not too - as a result her cat is now going blind- and she still won't change.. :mad:

I've heard that dogs shouldn't eat cat food because it contains taurine which is bad???

Or maybe it's the other way around, about how dog food does not contain taurine, which I know is essential for cats. But I do remember hearing too much taurine could be bad for dogs.

cat food also has a very high amount of protein which is why dogs love to eat it and eat cat poop! ** :eek: **
which over time couldn't be good on the kidneys, liver, etc.....