How to Make Sure That Your Dog Is Not Eating Cat Food?

Free feeding your dog and cat can raise some issues. Dogs need a balanced diet that includes a combination of proper protein, carbohydrates, and vitamins to maintain their nutritional needs. To your dog, cat food can seem like just another bowl of treats they would love to savor. Whatever the case, it is not unusual for dogs to enjoy a nibble or two of cat food.

Cat food consists of higher fat and protein that add to the smell and taste of the content. Therefore, dogs love to savor cat food. You may come across several commercial brands whose cat food is similar to dog food in terms of nutrition and ingredients. There are several good reasons to discourage your dog from eating cat food regularly. First of all, cat food costs more than dog food.

If your dog eats cat food, the expenses spent on pet food could increase quickly. On top of that, some cat foods contain ingredients such as raisins and chocolate which are harmful to dogs. Moreover, your dog can suffer from a nutritional imbalance that can lead to other issues like obesity, gastrointestinal upset, and even pancreatitis.

How to Keep Your Dog From Eating Cat Food

Placing the cat dish up on the floor

So, the question is- How do you prevent your dog from having more than an occasional nibble of cat food? Perhaps, one of the easiest ways would be to put the dish on a table or counter beyond the dog’s reach. Make sure it is almost impossible for your dog to access such food.

Soon enough, you would see them give up trying to get that food. Take a separate bowl for your feline. Now, place it on a raised platform. Ensure your dog can’t reach that food, thus ensuring that your cat’s food remains clean.

Keeping your cat’s food in a safer area

One way to keep your cat’s food safe from the dog is to feed them in a room inaccessible to your dog. It could be the laundry room or study area, where you have a door to keep your dog out. Try using a baby gate to block the room entrance, where you would feed your cat. That way, even if your dog jumps on tables and counters, they would not get to the food.

If you keep the cat food in a safe area, you can ensure your dog will not be able to steal it.

You can even place the cat bowl on an elevated spot in your house, like the cat tree and counters where your feline would comfortably eat the food.

Using squirt bottles 

Is your dog begging for cat food during mealtime? One of the best ways to deter them from doing so is to squirt water on them using bottles. Do it regularly whenever they beg, and they will eventually learn that they will not get the food they want by begging.

Training your dog with treats

Positive reinforcement is one of the best ways to train your dog. Every time they do something that you want them to can give them a treat. With time, they would learn to relate the reward with the behavior desired of them, and there is a higher chance that they would repeat it.

You can easily use this method to train your dog to stay away from the dish where you have kept the cat food. On every occasion, they walk away from the cat food dish and give a treat.

With sufficient repetitions, they would learn that walking away from the dish containing cat food would lead them to get a treat.

Feeding your pets at the same time 

If you feed both your dog and cat, chances are that your dog would not beg for cat food because their tummies would already be full at that time. On top of this, doing this would help you monitor their eating habits too. It makes sure that you provide them with the nutrition that they need.

However, this can be tricky to pull off; if you work long hours. In that case, try to feed them before you leave home for the day and after you come back home.

Read Also: 12 Things Your Cat Does Not Like

Giving special snacks exclusively to your dog

If you give your dog special treats, you can be sure it stops begging you for cat food. Make sure that they are getting them during mealtime. It would reduce their chances of asking for cat food because they would already know that they are getting treats that are so much better. It is a great way to show your fur baby some extra love. Use this method and watch them beam with joy.

Getting dog-proof cat dishes 

It is yet another way to ensure your dog is not eating food meant for the cat. Get your cat a dish designed so dogs cannot steal their food from such a utensil. There are different types of options in the market.

If you are having trouble keeping your dog away from cat food, it can be a great investment. These dishes have raised rims that make it hard for dogs to access the food kept within.

Giving your dog sufficient quantities of their food

One reason your dog is always begging for cat food is not getting the proper quantity. Feed them the appropriate amount based on their age and weight. You may consider switching to better dog food if you think they are always hungry. Dogs need a certain amount of nutrients and calories every day.

Using automatic pet feeders

If you use an automatic pet feeder, it can solve this problem. Most of these devices open their lids using the microchip of your pet. Ensure your dog is never able to munch on your cat’s food. You can program the feeder in a way that dispenses only a specified amount of food at specific times of the day.

This way, you would never have to worry if your little ones are going hungry. Food in sealed containers keeps them fresh for a long.

Taking your dog to the vet

Have you tried all these tips already, and is your dog still eating cat food? Take them to the vet. Who knows, it could be an underlying condition making them so hungry. Such issues are thyroid problems and diabetes. Trust an experienced vet for advice on stopping your dog from eating cat food.

Read Also: 10 Reasons Why Cats Run Away from Home & How to Deal with It

Conclusion

While it may not be possible to avert your dog from having cat food initially, implementing a few of the above tips can help minimize those chances to some extent.

Even if all this fails, and your dog steals cat food now, it does not mean the end of the world. Develop an environment where your cat and dog feel safe and at ease. Likewise, you can reduce the chances of your dog stealing cat food.