If you have a cat and a dog, there will be times when your kitty will show interest in your dog’s kibble.

While cats generally stick to their food and are usually picky about what they eat, it’s not usually the case all the time. Cats and dogs do have a lot of things in common but, you still need to think twice before letting your kitty eat something.

Did you know that a few ingredients that aren’t toxic to dogs are toxic to cats?

This is why you should be cautious when your kitty shows interest in your doggy friend’s food.

In this blog post, we will answer the question, “Can cats eat dog food?” in as much detail as we possibly can.

Let’s begin, shall we?

What’s the Difference Between Cat and Dog Food?

One of the major questions that people ask is what the exact difference between cat and dog food is.

Cat and dog kibble are of different sizes mainly because cats need a smaller bite and larger chunks can be a choking hazard. While the ingredients used are mainly the same in both, it is the quantity of protein that differs.

Dog food contains significantly less protein than cat food does which means that cats can’t survive on dog food.

Can cats have a little bit of dog food?

Emergencies happen and sometimes you run out of cat food at an inconvenient time and can’t really afford to get it at the moment.

So, in such cases, can you just give your cat some dog food?

Well, dog food isn’t inherently bad for your kitty to consume and in cases of emergency, you can let your munchkin munch on dog food. The only problem is that it doesn’t meet your kitty’s protein needs.

Final Words: Can Cats Eat Dog Food?

Yes, cats can eat dog food.

That being said, you shouldn’t give your cat dog food as an alternative to cat food—no matter how convenient that may be for you. Cats simply can’t survive on dog food as they have higher protein requirements than dogs.

And, kibble really doesn’t contain enough protein for cats.

So, invest in a good cat food and make sure you don’t run out of it!

Do you have questions? If so, leave them in the comments, and we will get back to you as soon as we can!