Cash

[Randy_K]

Dog food isn't deadly for a cat it's just that the protein level of dog food is too low to meet a cat's needs. A constant diet of dog food would harm the cat's health.

Cash looks like he's nearing 10 years old. The muzzle starts to spread on older cats and their nose starts to get more rounded between the leather and the fur-covered part - the cartilage tends to slowly collapse. Can't see a profile on that nose but after 10 it starts to become more significant

Cats, like some people, don't like change too much. Cash's sleep schedule was probably developed with his last owner over the years but he will adapt to you and your schedule.

He sounds like he just wants to be loved and feel safe.

[king2005]

I wont feed it to him, I was just worried there was a kitty toxic ingredient in dog food.

Its just the Protein level thats the issue?
Weird, cause I swear Digi's was far higher then the ones listed on all the cat kibble bags I saw at PetSmart (I feel like crap picking up food in that store, but I'm low on $ from the move & didn't plan on getting Cash this soon).

Orijen has 44.0% Protein
Origen for cats has 42.0% Protein

[catmandu]

I HAVE HEARD THAT CATS NEED TAURINE WHICH IS NOT IN DOG FOODS , AND THAT A CAT WHO EATS DOG FOOD CAN GO BLIND,
ACTUALLY I HAVE ALWAYS WONDERED WHY CAT FOOD IS ALMOST TWICE AS EXPENSIVE AS DOG FOOD.
BLESS YOU FOR TAKING CASH IN, IN A WORLD WHERE OLDER ANIMALS ARE NOT WANTED, AND ROUTINELY PTS.
CASH, WE KNOW WILL REPAY YOU A MILLION TIMES OVER FOR BEING HIS FRIEND!!!

[cassiesmom]

What a handsome kitty Cash is! I would love to pet him! King 2005, please give him a petting from me. The only thing I know about food is that cats and dogs metabolize protein differently but it sounds like you are getting it all figured out.

[Randy_K]

Cat food versus dog food - per a veterinarian:

Cat and dog food are fairly different in many ways. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they have to eat meat so their diet should consist of mostly meat and a higher protein level. Dogs are omnivores and their diet should consist of higher fiber than for cats.

If a dog eats a lot of cat food, or exclusively cat food, they will be eating far too much protein which can lead to indigestion and eventually kidney or liver damage.

If a cat eats mostly dog food, they will not be getting the amino acid taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) - which comes from meat and is added in extra amounts to dry cat food. Taurine can be synthesized by dogs and humans from other amino acids, but cats cannot make this themselves and must get it from their diet. Dog foods do not have an adequate level of taurine so a cat on a dog food diet would gradually develop heart failure, blindness and muscle degradation.

In summary, a cat can snack on dog food without real harm as long as they mostly eat their own cat food. Some cats with sensitive stomachs will vomit because of the high fiber content. A dog should not snack on cat food because the high protein and fat levels will upset the digestion of most dogs, and also dogs ten to wolf down cat food rather than nibble a few kibbles (like the cats do with the dog food) so they take in higher amounts. It's best to place the cats' food up somewhere high where the cats can jump up to eat but the dogs can't get to it.

[It's not protein in general but specific types of protein!]

[Medusa]

Cash looks so much like my Yodie. When his fur grows back completely, if it's anything like Yodie's, it'll be as soft as silk. He sure is a cutie pie. Thank you so much for taking in an older cat. So often they get pushed aside. I'm sure that you'll have many happy years together.

[king2005]

Dog food isn't deadly for a cat it's just that the protein level of dog food is too low to meet a cat's needs. A constant diet of dog food would harm the cat's health.

Cash looks like he's nearing 10 years old. The muzzle starts to spread on older cats and their nose starts to get more rounded between the leather and the fur-covered part - the cartilage tends to slowly collapse. Can't see a profile on that nose but after 10 it starts to become more significant

Cats, like some people, don't like change too much. Cash's sleep schedule was probably developed with his last owner over the years but he will adapt to you and your schedule.

He sounds like he just wants to be loved and feel safe.

Thank you for the information! I already put Cash's dishes up high as Digi has allergies & I don't know what is in his old food. Digi's food is in her kennel and in a higher up dish, so I'll just try to discourage him..

gotta run, sorry for the short reply, but its moving time, WOOT!

[king2005]

Hogging the bed
http://kingrattus.net/gallery/v/Pets..._4185.JPG.html

I like the kitty
http://kingrattus.net/gallery/v/Pets..._4187.JPG.html

The babies laying on the bed
http://kingrattus.net/gallery/v/Pets..._4189.JPG.html

Jordan saw him for the first time Fri & I couldn't peel him away from the cat. I think I've been replaced!

[Taz_Zoee]

Aww, man! The links are not working for me. I want to see Cash! Show me the money!!!

[king2005]

Aww, man! The links are not working for me. I want to see Cash! Show me the money!!!

All my sites are down.. my forums broke a couple weeks ago & then the whole server went down, so my host is trying to get me back online.

Since it'll be an older version, the pics prob aren't there anymore.. I will reupload them when I get home

[lvpets2002]

Aweee the new pics of Cash are Adorable..

[Taz_Zoee]

Oh Oh!! It works now!
I just love big kitties and he looks like a big old wild cat in that first picture. it!!
Shoot Digi is not much bigger than Cash. LOL

[jennielynn1970]

Aawe.... he is so sweet looking!! I'm so happy that you took an older guy in and gave him a loving home!

Digi looks happy too! Yay!!! Two cuties!

Hugs and scritchies to all!