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Can a cat safely intake dog food?

2.4K views 18 replies 6 participants last post by  10cats2dogs  
#1 ·
There's in the shelter a cat we've been working with named Sally (3yrs old) she was very energetic and alive; because of this she was sent to a barn with the animal control officers to be a their mascot. She did great for the longest time, but unfortunately she recently turned sick because she started to eat poop and metal debris that was scattered in the field. She then stopped eating and weakened until an emergency surgery had to be performed to get it all out. Sally survived the surgery but she is now visibly weakened and alarmingly skinny. She does not care for any sort of cat food, the only thing she's eating is the wet canned dog food that she manages to steal off of a little Chihuahua's plate in the clinic. She really needs to put on weight ASAP, can the dog food be a temporary solution?

She also seems to like 'catsure' milk supplements.
 
#2 ·
Temporarily yes, but I would add some taurine. According to my vet, cats need 250mg of taurine a day. So find out how much is in the dog food and add the difference if you need to.

Catsure doesn't have the greatest ingredients, but at this point she needs calories and it will serve the purpose. Another product that will provide calories is Nutri-cal. It's a gel type product that comes in a tube. If she won't lick it off your finger, you can rub it on her paw.
 
#3 ·
Have you tried similar flavors of wet cat food? It may be that something like that would stimulate her appetite a bit more.

Doodlebug is right, at this point she needs to eat - what she eats is slightly less important. But eventually she will need to eat cat food again. You could try mixing some of the dog food she likes into a similar cat food and see if she'll switch over that way.
 
#4 ·
Kevin, thanks for caring for this girl. Yes, the temporary dog food is ok if that is all she will eat right now, but taurine is an essential ingredient that cats need. Librarychick was suggesting what I was thinking, try mixing the dog food with a bit of cat food and increase the cat food a little each time. I know the vet staff at the shelter probably won't think to do this, but if you could find a way to help them that would be great. Have the AC officers been feeding her dog food all along, do you know?
 
#7 ·
Sally is still eating the beef dog food. I don't know if she has been getting her taurine from the 'catsure' but I hope she has, she looks like she could use it. The Nutri-cal that you (Marcia) got me worked the for a couple licks. I can't thank you enough. I hope that she will recover promptly because the shelter is no place for critically ill cats.
 
#8 ·
Kevin,
Fancy Feast makes a Beef Pate that a couple of my fussy eaters, will actually eat, it's a start, so I'm not worried about it right now!!
You might try that with her!
Glad Marcia could/can help you out!!:thumbup::thumbup::D
Sharon
 
#10 ·
GREAT NEWS! We tried fancy fest beef flavors wet food and sally was loving it. She ate 3/4ths of a can, which is a lot for her! I'm very happy about this. She isnt a huge fan of Nutri-cal but she will lick it off her paw given enough time.
 
#11 ·
YAY! Kevin, so glad she decided she likes it!:p:thumbup::thumbup:
 
#12 ·
Hopefully Sally is on the mend and her horse poop eating days are over. She should have been removed from that barn situation LONG before it got to this point. Maybe we can rehab her, fatten her up and place her in a nice loving home for ever more.
 
#13 ·
Not so great news! :( the vet says sally is very deteriorated despite her being eating, she's not eating enough; she's quite literally skin and bones. They told us not to be surprised if she doesn't make it through tonight. She's only 3! Her gums are white, she's weak. She ate some treats I gave her earlier but not too many. I pray for a miracle now!
 
#14 ·
Oh No Kevin...That isn't good news at all...can you or someone, take her home with them tonight??
Some extra snuggles and warmth might really make her feel better...

If you've got some karo syrup or honey, you could rub a little bit on her gums, it will help to keep her blood sugar from plummeting, and sending her into shock...
Keep her warm, her body probably can't generate enough warmth, due to her condition...
Hugs and Prayers for you and Sally,
Sharon

P.S. Would the vet/rescue consider a feeding tube for her?
 
#15 ·
Kevin...Did Sally make it through the night....?
Sharon
 
#16 ·
Sadly Sally did not make it. She was in a coma this AM when they found her. Kevin is beside himself with grief. He and another volunteer helped her fight the good fight but it was just too much for her. Sadly, it is a very tragic circumstance and she should NEVER have been allowed to deteriorate this far.

Be strong Kevin - this too shall pass. We love and are loved there, but sometimes life is hard. I'm really, really sorry for this loss. I know she was special to you.
 
#17 ·
Ohhhh Nooooo...I'm so very, very sorry to hear this...:'(
Thank you Marcia, for passing on the sad news to the rest of us...
Please let Kevin know my heart is breaking to...
Many BIG (((HUGS)))
Sweet Sally, gone to soon...running free at the Bridge now, with a Special Ray of Sunshine to call her own...
Sharon
 
#18 ·
I came in the morning to find her weak and unresponsive, I had really hoped that she would recover and that we would find her a home, things don't always happen like you plan. At the very least i can sleep now knowing that she is not in pain anymore. We will remember you!


RIP SALLY 2011-2014
Image
 
#19 ·
Kevin, I'm so sorry...I'd hoped and prayed she'd make it...
Kevin, I know it hurts...:'(
Please feel free to add her story to the Rainbow Bridge thread...so we can all honor her Spirit...
Thanks to you, I'm sure Sally had more attention and love, than she'd had in a while...take that with you, as you move forward...
Such a Pretty girl...
(((HUGS)))
Sharon