If you’re a cat parent, you know the joy of giving your furry friend a tasty cat treat now and again. The same goes for dog parents and dog treats. But what if you have both cats and dogs in the house and run out of dog treats? Is it safe to give your dog cat treats if this happens?
In general, cat treats are safe for dogs although the opposite isn’t always true and you shouldn’t make a habit of feeding dogs cat food. This comes down to each species’ unique nutritional requirements. As long as treats make up a small portion of your pup’s diet and they are eating a nutritionally balanced dog food, you can feed them some cat treats in most cases.
Why Can Dogs Eat Cat Treats?
Dogs and cats have different nutritional requirements; while dogs are more omnivorous cats are obligate carnivores. While both cats and dogs should have meat in their diet, cats require a higher level of protein in general, as well as more specific nutrients that they can only get from meat. Dogs also need protein but they are more adapted to eating grains, fruits, and vegetables than cats are. They have the digestive enzyme, α-amylase, to digest carbohydrates that cats lack.
Since cat treats are usually high in protein, fat, and sometimes have grains, fruits, vegetables, and other ingredients, they are fine for dogs to consume. They won’t have anything toxic or harmful to your dog and they will likely benefit from most of the nutrients. The protein and fat content can make the treats more palatable and tasty for dogs, although this can also present a problem in some cases.
Feeding Cat Treats to Dogs
The benefits of feeding cat treats to your pup are the taste and variety it can add to their diet. Depending on the ingredients they can benefit from the nutrients in the treats in the same way as cats. If you’re out of dog treats it can be more convenient to slip them a few cat treats in a pinch, instead of preparing something specifically for them. You should ensure that the treats make up less than 10% of their diet and that their usual food is nutritionally balanced for dogs.
Dogs that have special dietary requirements or medical issues may not be able to consume cat treats. Dogs with kidney or liver disease on specialized diets may detriment from the high protein in cat treats, although this can also be a problem with some dog treats. Similarly, if your dog is allergic to a specific protein, they can’t have cat treats with that ingredient. Dogs with sensitive digestion may experience an upset stomach from a change in treats so we recommend introducing them to the diet slowly.
The extra fat in the cat treats can be a problem. Fat contains lots of calories which can lead to weight gain and obesity, which can result in a host of health problems. And though having a couple of cat treats won’t harm your dog, you could see some issues if they get into the treats and devour an entire bag. Eating a large quantity of cat treats could cause a dog to develop an upset stomach or pancreatitis and experience vomiting, diarrhea, a lack of appetite, or lethargy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Cats Eat Dog Treats?
Not all dog treats are good for cats. Cats need higher protein snacks and may not digest dog treats well if they don’t fit within their ideal nutrient profile. They may also dislike the taste. In addition, dog treats will be larger relative to a cat’s total intake, which increases the risk of nutritional deficiencies.
What are the Disadvantages of Cat Treats for Dogs?
The main disadvantages of feeding cat treats to dogs is the small size and expense of the treats. Certain treats may have certain advantages designed for cats, for example catnip treats, that won’t benefit dogs as much. Similarly supplements designed for cats may not work for dogs due to the ingredients or concentrations. Feeding too many cat (or dog) treats can lead to poor nutrition, weight gain, or gastrointestinal upsets.
Are There Treats That Both Cats and Dogs Can Eat?
Yes! Both species can benefit from plain meat protein or safe fruits and vegetables. If you’re looking for a commercially available treat we love A Better Treat Freeze-Dried Salmon Dog & Cat Treat which provides a high protein snack with omega fatty acids.
Conclusion
Most dogs will benefit from a few cat treats in moderation. If your pup needs to lose weight or needs a specific diet it’s best to avoid them though. If a dog eats a ton of cat treats they could end up with an upset stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea. Giving your pets the same treats can be a time and money saver, and there are options that suit both dogs and cats. Remember, this isn’t a two-way street so feeding your cat some dog treats isn’t usually a good idea.
Featured Image Credit: Garna Zarina, Shutterstock