Cats eating dog food, and I can't stop them.

[roseeden]

Despite my best efforts, some of our cats are still stealing food from my dog.

I am trying to supplement the cats with something so they don't get sick from sneaking dog food. I know that dog food is far less nutritious than cat food. I am already supplementing them with extra taurine. What else should I give them?

[MowMow]

If the dog doesn't finish eating the food, put it away. Then the cats won't eat it.

[Susan]

Cats also need Vitamin A and more protein than dogs. But the only way I know to give them more protein is to ensure they stick to their own food and don't eat the dogs' food. If they happen to eat a few stray pieces, it won't hurt them, but if they're eating so much as to dissuade them from eating their own food, then you'll need to find a way to stop them from eating the dog's food. As Mow Mow says, put the dog food away when he's finished eating (and supervise the cats while he's eating).

[saitenyo]

I agree that finding a way to stop them from eating the dog food is a better solution than trying to let them be on a dog food diet and just "supplement" whatever is missing. That sounds far too risky.

What have you tried so far? Feeding them separately? Supervising their feeding? Picking the food up when the dogs are done as others have suggested? There are lots of ways to make sure everyone eats their own food.

[~Siameseifuplz~]

Get the dogs to eat their food in one sitting. We are having this problem and I found the real problem was that my parents were feeding the dog too much, so he wouldn't finish the meal right away but would come back later for what was left (as would Neko my cat). My parents felt bad throwing out the leftover food because he would eat it eventually. Well now the dog is overweight. After having them cut back he fininshes the bowl, none for Neko. They will both loose some extra poundage now.

So if you are free feeding I would stop. If the dog doesn't finish his meals within 15-20 minutes (obviously not if he's just eating slowly, but if he ate and then left it for that time) throw the rest out, then either the dog will learn to fininsh the meal faster or you'll learn how much the dog really needs to eat (if he is being overfed). If you feel the dog isn't getting enough food because you keep throwing so much out try feeding multiple small meals instead of one big one so that he is able to finish each meal quickly but still gets all the food he needs.

[Miss Kitty]

Do your pets eat at set times? If so, feed your dog in a different room (or feed the cat in a different room). As Siamese said, it would be best to stop free-feeding if this is a continuing problem. Some cats are picky and choosy; other cats aren't. I've never had the problem myself because our cat and dog are on different levels of the house and my cat is free-fed, needing a food bowl change about twice a week. Do you know if your cat is eating it because he's hungry or not? If he's hungry and is choosing the dog food over the cat food, simply feed him with a time limit.