These 2 are going to make me crazy. Stitch (cat) has a water bowl that I just spent $8.00 buying replacement filters for, its a catit water fountain. Now that we have Max(dog) and he has his own water/food bowl (it is not a fountain just a regular bowl)stitch refuses to drink out of his own bowl. Instead he uses Max's bowl. But he doesn't just drink from it, he dips his paw in it and flings the water everywhere. (Same with any kind of liquid left on the counter or table, if it is in a cup he will simply knock it over and then look at you as if to say...don't blame me your the idiot that left it there.) Max inturn goes and eats Stitches food. Well that makes Stitch mad. Anyways the question I am getting at is...Is is going to hurt Max to eat Stitches food? They are both on Purina One. I know he isn't going to start meowing or anything, atleast I hope not because he is already confused as it is, perfers the cat toys over his own and comes to kitty kitty kitty.

By Jackie on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 06:43 am:

I was just having this discussion with somebody else. I think cat food has more fat and protein in it then dog food, as why dogs love to eat catfood. I am not sure it is "good" for dogs to eat catfood. I am no expert on this, as I do not have cats. I am guessing a little here and there would not be a big deal. I am sure somebody who more knowledge on this could fill you in better.

It is nice they get along so well. Max sure is a cute little guy.

By Conni on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 07:30 am:

I guess for me it isnt so much that the food might hurt him it's the training aspect of it. He should be trained to 'leave it'. That's the command we use anyway, when the dogs come in the house and they head towards the cat food bowl. I say 'leave it' and they know they are not suppose to be eating the food and they slink back out of the kitchen like they just got caught. lol

There will be many things you dont want him to eat, sniff, get into, etc... So I would (as a family) agree on a phrase to use everytime you want him to leave something alone and use it constantly with him.

As for the cat- I have not figured my cat out yet and I dont think I ever will!!!!!!!!!! He seems to rule the house. lol He is insane about drinking water.

By Cat on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 07:46 am:

Our dogs can't get to the cat's food or water. They probably would eat it if they could. I think I've heard it's not good for dogs to eat cat food--can't remember the reason. Is there anywhere you can put it where the dogs can't get it? It'd be great if the dog could be trained to "leave it" but I know with my dogs as soon as we weren't in the room they'd chow down! lol The cat? Well, my cat will drink out of anything including the bathroom sink while you're using it, leftover water in the tub and the toilet if you leave the lid up. Sorry if I'm not much help, but good luck!

By Kaye on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 07:55 am:

My dog passes up the food and heads straight for the litter box. What a dog.

I think cat food will make your dog gain weight, like giving it treats, but nothing in the food is harmful, but I wouldn't make the switch. LOL.

By Tripletmom on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 08:53 am:

Ditto Connie-We say leave it also when our dog trys to get the kitty food.As for the water the cat drinks out of the dogs bowl.I heard it wasn't good the dogs to eat cat food either(fat)

By Conni on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 08:59 am:

Oh Kaye, our dogs enjoy a good tootsie roll from time to time as well!!!!! ROFL That's SO sick!!!

By Cat on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 09:10 am:

Kaye and Conni, our dogs can't get to the litter box for that very reason. YUCK!!!

By Insaneusmcwife on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 09:53 am:

I wasn't going to only feed him cat food, lol. I didn't mean it like that. I just wanted to make sure there wasn't something in the cat food that the dog wasn't supposed to have. Anytime we see him in the cat food we correct him but I can't watch him constantly. I guess I'm going to have to put up the baby gate. The cats area is the laundry room so the dog really doesn't have any business in there. His food and water is in the kitchen.

Ewww on the tootsie roll, lol.

By Luvn29 on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 10:33 am:

That's pretty funny! It sounds like our ferret (who act a lot like cats at times) with our dogs' water bowl!

Our outside dog gets so excited when our cats get fed outside. We have several outside cats that all stay on the porch lounging around and in our front yard, or on our paved drive, sunning. When we feed them, he runs to his bowl, because he knows he gets just a little bit in his bowl, too, as a treat. It's his incentive to leave theirs alone! As long as he gets his little bit, he won't eat their food! He's satisfied!

By Tink on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 12:22 pm:

We're in the opposite boat. We've got the cat's food up high so the dog isn't always eating it (she still gets some when the cat knocks it down) but the cat would prefer to eat the dog's food! Any idea how to keep the cat out of the dog's dish? We leave dry food out all day for her to nibble on since she's not overweight in the slightest.

BTW, our dog LOVES to get a snack out of the litter box and the cat's favorite drink spot is the toilet! Nasty, nasty animals!

By Yjja123 on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 01:34 pm:

Our vet said to not allow Cosmo (lab) to eat cat food because it is much higher in fat than dog food. It is a constant battle to keep him out of it. The other dogs do not even try. We keep it under a desk so it is not easy for a dog to get to. Cosmo will wedge himself under it, trying to get the cats food.
We have a cat that will not drink water normally. He dips his paw in the bowl and drinks from his paw. Then he tracks water through the house. It drives me nuts.
Pets--gotta love em

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 02:27 pm:

On my dog board, people say that dogs shouldn't eat cat food. I can't remember why and I don't have time, right at the moment to search for it.

When we had a cat and a dog at the same time, when I was a kid, we kept the cat food downstairs, on a table, so the dog wouldn't eat it, because Corky would have! (He ate anything and everything.)

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 02:28 pm:

Precautions: Dogs like to eat cat food because it is very high in protein, and therefore very tasty, but it’s not good for them. Keep cat food out of the dog’s reach (in a closet, on a high shelf, etc.). Likewise, cats should not eat dog food as it may cause dietary deficiencies. Dogs like to eat cat feces, and although there are no real health hazards to the dog from this habit except possibly increased vomiting, it is usually distasteful to the owners. The best solution is to place the litter box where the dog cannot access it such as behind a baby gate, install an interior cat door to a laundry room, etc.

Cat Food too high in protein

By Insaneusmcwife on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 08:41 pm:

Thank you everyone! We are going to dig out the baby gate tomorrow when we get home from work.

By Vicki on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 09:04 pm:

The one and only time my dog got into the cats bowl she got sooo sick!! Now, she did eat a whole bowl full, so that might make a difference. We usually put the cats bowl up on top of the dryer, but one morning we forgot and well, the dog ate it all. She had diarrhea for DAYS and bad. I even had to call the vet it got so bad. So no, it isn't good for them. LOL Unless they need cleaned out. LOL