Can dogs eat cat treats?

So, you’re out of dog treats, your pup is looking longingly at you, but you’ve got nothing. You’re out of options. But then you both see it: a packet of your cat’s favourite treats, waiting to be opened and eaten.

It’s just a cat treat, right? One biscuit. Two tops. And cats and dogs are both mammals, too, right? Surely it can’t be that bad, just to tide your dog over for now.

Well, if only things were that simple.

Here, we answer whether a dog can eat cat treats, the differences between cat and dog food, and any potential problems that may happen if your dog wolfs down the cat’s treats (excluding your kitty’s inevitable ire).

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Can dogs eat cat biscuits and treats?

They can, but they shouldn’t. While a one-off is probably fine, regularly giving them the wrong treats isn’t. Treats are formulated for a specific animal.

Cat treats are made for cats, not dogs. That means regularly giving them to dogs risks your pup getting things they don’t need.

Why don’t cat treats give a dog what they need?

Cat treats may have things in them that dogs don’t need or in the wrong amounts. For example, cat treats tend to have the following:

Higher fat

They often have higher fat content, which can be detrimental to dogs, especially breeds prone to obesity.

More calories

Similarly, cat treats have more calories, which can impact your dog’s weight and lead to problems like stomach upset.

Nutrient inclusion

Some cat treats include taurine, which is essential for cats to get from their diet. But most dog treats don’t contain added taurine, as dogs can synthesise this from other compounds.

Ultimately, it comes down to balance. Cat treats offer a nutritional profile tailored for cats, not dogs, which can create imbalances over time.

While treats supplement the diet, they still impact overall needs. Regularly giving a dog cat treats disrupts that balance.

Risks due to a dog eating cat treats

Before we outline the main risks, it’s important to note that most problems arise from long-term, regular snacking. Small amounts usually don’t cause much trouble.

Long-term exposure to cat treats can cause:

Nutritional imbalances

Cats, as obligate carnivores, have different nutrient requirements than dogs, who are omnivores. This means dogs benefit from a more diverse diet.

As such, the nutrient content of cat treats is different, leading to potential dietary imbalances over time for dogs.

Obesity

Cat treats have more calories, as kitties typically eat less than dogs at meal time. This makes treats an important part of supplementing a cat’s diet. But for dogs, it offers too much, leading to obesity over time.

Stomach upset

High fat and protein content can lead to an upset stomach in dogs, particularly if they’re not used to that diet. Too many cat treats can easily lead to diarrhoea, stomach pain, vomiting, and other nastiness.

What are the main differences between cat and dog food?

We’ve already covered that cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they live best on a diet based on meat-based proteins - they need them to get specific essential nutrients.

Most dogs, though, as you’ve probably experienced, like to eat pretty much anything. They survive best on a diet with a mix of carbohydrates, fat, and protein, and they aren’t as limited as cats in their diet.

Dogs have the enzymes and ability to break down plant material and extract what they need, while cats don’t.

With these two key differences in mind, cat and dog food have different focuses.

Cat food tends to have:

• Additions like Vitamin A and niacin, since cats cannot create this like dogs, so they need it in their diet.

• Arachidonic acid content, which is an essential fatty acid that cats need in food, while dogs can produce it from other compounds.

• Higher protein and fat, since cats use this for their energy.

• Nutrients like taurine, since cats cannot produce this amino acid and need to get it in their diet.

While dog food has:

• Bigger food size, as dogs are typically much bigger than cats.

• Carbohydrates and plant-based ingredients.

• Different flavours, since cats can’t taste sweetness.

• Potentially toxic ingredients for cats, like propylene glycol, which dogs can digest but cats can’t.

So, while they may look similar, the nutritional profiles are very different.

What happens if a dog eats catnip?

Sometimes, cat food will contain catnip. We know most cats love it, but what happens if a dog eats some?

Usually nothing much, unless it’s in large quantities. Too much catnip may cause stomach upset, but in small amounts - and the amounts that some cat treats have - it won’t do anything substantial.

Is it ever healthy for dogs to eat cat food?

No, it’s not.

You should only feed your dog or puppy food made for dogs. It’s key for them to have a nutritionally balanced diet and live their best life.

Is it bad for puppies to eat cat food?

Yes, and even small amounts can have a more pronounced effect in puppies. Puppies are growing, and they need very specific nutrients to optimise their growth.

For example, puppy food will have specific calcium and phosphorus levels to keep them growing properly, which cat food will lack.

Signs your dog isn’t dealing well with cat treats

We don’t want to cause too much panic, but sometimes, dogs do get ill when they’ve eaten something they shouldn’t.

We’d recommend seeing a vet if your dog has eaten something, like cat treats, and they’re experiencing the following:

• Persistent diarrhoea and vomiting (more than a couple of times in 24 hours)

• Signs of pain, like a hunched back, not wanting to move, or whining.

• Visible lethargy or weakness

It’s important that a vet checks your dog out with these symptoms as it can hint at a deeper issue, like stomach upset.

Quick, easy swaps if you’re out of dog treats

• Banana - cut into small, easy-to-eat pieces.

• Carrots - baby carrots or sliced into small pieces.

• Cooked, plain chicken.

• Cooked pumpkin - plain only, but canned is okay, assuming it has no added ingredients.

• Small apple slices - cut to a size suitable for your dog.

• Watermelon - only in moderation, with no seeds or rind.

Pet food safety

Can my dog or cat eat...

Can your pet eat that? You need a firm "safe" or "unsafe" before feeding your pet something, and our food safety database does just that.

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If you want something nicer or more special for your dog, then check out our five favourite homemade dog treat recipes, which use ingredients you probably have in your kitchen.

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