You must be annoyed by the question that how to keep cat food away from dog? For pet parents especially for those having multi-pets, one of the common challenge is your dog having a bite of your cat food. Dogs are naturally curious animals, and they are instinctively drawn to the taste and smell of cat food. A little bit of food will not harm your dog, but you desire to prevent the dog from regularly eating your cat’s food. You are also not sure about if you can train a dog not to eat cat food? Don’t worry! We got you covered. This guide will help you to ensure that both pets must enjoy their meals at peace.
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Why does my dog eat cat food?
Cats are picky eaters when it comes to food. Their food is made to taste and smell better, so you can’t blame your dog for that. Dogs are naturally drawn to the cat food due to its powerful scent and taste. They are also opportunistic eaters and they can indulge in eating cat food regularly which can become a frequent habit. You must make sure that your dog is eating the correct amount. If its not the case, your dog will be going to eat everything it could find.
If the dog is well-fed but still it indulges in eating cat food, there is something you must do to stop it. But what can you do?
Is cat food bad for dogs?
No, its completely ok for dogs to have cat food, but only in small amounts. Dogs are omnivores, and may eat a wider variety of foods that contain both plant and animal-based components. However, cats have higher needs for both protein and fat than dogs do since they are true carnivores, meaning they only consume animal protein. {1}
Its better that your dog should not eat frequent cat food. Because cat food is formulated specifically to meet the dietary needs of cats, which differ significantly from those of dogs.
How to stop your dog from eating cat food?
Stopping your dog from eating cat food requires a combination of strategies. Here are some effective methods to help you keep your dog away from the cat’s food:
1. Observing things
Observing your dog while feeding your cat is the most effective method. If given the chance, your dog will want to go for cat food because it tastes and smells better than dog food. You should pick up the bowl, when your cat has finished eating to prevent the dog from licking the bowl.
2. Provide training
Training is an essential part of preventing your dog from eating cat food. This will not be an easy job as it sounds so, you should start by teaching your dog to wait for a command to eat their food. If your dog master this, then teach them commands like “leave it”, “no” and “stay” to realize them that they are not allowed to eat cat food.
3. Smart Feeder
A smart feeder is a best way to keep dogs away from feline food. In some of the variants, these cat smart feeders work by attaching a chip to the cat’s collar. The feeder opens when it senses your cat’s presence. Once your cat is finished eating, it closes automatically. This is a great way to effectively keep your dog away from feline food. There are also some other smart cat feeders that have small openings that only cats can fit through.
4. Timely feeding
Switch to scheduled meal times for you cat instead of leaving cat food out all day(free feeding). Feed your cat at specific times and remove any extra food which is uneaten, once they are done. If possible, feed your both pets in different rooms to lessen the chances of your dog trying to sneak some of the cat’s food.
5. Feed both pets simultaneously
Feeding both pets may solve your problem. When both are given food at the same time, dog will be busy in eating its own food. So, it will not disturb your cat and thus minimizing the chances of getting into cat’s food. However, dogs are fast-eaters and they immediately finish their food, once placed in front of them. But cats are slow-eaters, and they take some time to finish their food. This can attract the attention of dogs towards cat food so, your super-vision is extremely important.
Read more: How to keep ants out of cat food?
How to make a dog proof cat feeder?
Creating a dog-proof cat feeder involves designing a feeding area that allows only the cat to access. Below are some ways to make one:
1. Use an elevated feeding area
Cats can easily jump or climb places that are high up. However, dogs, especially larger breeds might have difficulty reaching food which is placed at a high up place. Its better to consider an elevated feeding area by placing your cat’s food on a shelf, counter-top or a specially designed elevated feeder for cats or pets.
2. Install a cat-only door
Design a feeding area that only your cat can access. Installing a cat-only door can prevent dogs from accessing cat food, but it depends on where you keep your cat food. This is similar to giving your pet food in separate room with closed doors. However, this solution is not applicable if you have a small dog so, its better to choose what suits you the most.
3. Create a DIY feeding box
One of the best option is to build a DIY feeding station with a small entrance. This small entrance should be too small for your dog to access but large enough for your cat. You can make this DIY project by using wooden or plastic box with a small opening for the cat. The box should have adequate space so that the cat’s food bowl can easily fit inside alongside with the cat. This DIY setup will help the cat to eat food without being disturbed by the dog.
Making a cat and dog live at peace
If your cat and dog are living peacefully at home without fighting, you can easily find out how to create peace between them during meal time. Keeping peace between the two pets depends alot on your home environment and the pets itself.
You can train your dog or simply feed your cat at a different place away from dog. One of the best ways to make peace between the two pets is to give them food at the same time, and continuously monitor them. The above mentioned strategies will help you in keeping your cat’s food away from the dog. Some strategies are really simple while some can get expensive, but it’s worth investing for the peace of mind of both you and your pets.
Conclusion : How to keep cat food away from dog
Dogs getting into the food of cats is a common problem in multi-pet households. Cat food is generally not harmful for dogs if provided in small amounts, but it’s better to avoid such food. Various strategies can be applied to prevent dogs from eating cat food starting from ‘giving training’ to ‘building a food station which only the cat can access’. Some methods are simple while others can be pricey, so it’s better to choose what suits you the best. Wishing you the best of health to your pets!
FAQ’s
How do I train my dog not to eat cat food?
Start by teaching your dog to wait for a command to eat their food. If your dog master this, then teach them commands like “leave it”, “no” and “stay” to realize them that they are not allowed to eat cat food.
Why is my dog attracted to cat food?
Cat food contain high meat-based protein as compared to dog food. The smell of the meat is very strong which maybe the reason of cat food more appealing to dogs.
What happens if a dog eats cat food?
Cat food eaten by dogs in small amounts causes no harm, but in some cases it may cause diarrhea and vomiting. It should be quickly resolved on its own, but if the problem persists you must consult a veterinarian.
