It is okay for dogs to eat a small amount of canned cats, but they cannot be fed to dogs for a long time. Although the ingredients of canned cats are similar to canned dogs, the nutritional ratio is different and does not meet the nutritional needs of dogs. Long-term feeding will harm the health of dogs.
1. What is the difference between canned dogs and canned cats?
Dogs are omnivores, and cats are carnivores. Their nutritional needs are different. Correspondingly, the nutritional ratios of canned cats and canned dogs are also different. Compared with canned dogs, canned cats contain relatively higher amounts of protein and calories, and some canned cats contain more taurine, while dogs have a lower demand for this substance. Too much of this nutrient will be added.
2. The dangers of feeding canned cats to dogs for a long time
Generally speaking, it is perfectly fine for dogs to eat a small amount of canned cats, but feeding canned cats to dogs for a long time will seriously endanger their health. In fact, the nutrients contained in canned cats and canned dogs are similar, but there is a big difference in the nutritional ratio. Canned cats contain higher protein and calories, and may contain more taurine. It is very difficult to feed dogs for a long time. It can easily cause obesity in dogs , and may also increase the burden on the dog’s kidneys or cause pancreatitis. Therefore, for the sake of the dog’s health, owners must not feed canned cats to their dogs for a long time. When the dog is short of food, you can feed the dog some canned cat food in small amounts, but you must not feed it to the dog for a long time. It is recommended that the owner buy dog food in time.
In addition, some dogs with poor gastrointestinal digestion may experience symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea after eating canned cats. If this happens, the owner needs to deprive the dog of food and water for about 6 hours, and then feed it some probiotics. Dogs generally recover quickly. However, if the dog’s symptoms have not improved, or if the dog’s mental state is abnormal, it is recommended to take it to the pet hospital for diagnosis and treatment in time. If the owner did not know before and fed the dog canned cats for a long time, it is also recommended that the owner take it to the pet hospital for a check-up.
3. Things you need to pay attention to when feeding canned dogs to dogs
1. Owners should give their dogs canned food in an appropriate amount. There are many condiments in the canned food, and the palatability is higher than that of dog food. Dogs like to eat it very much. However, frequently feeding canned food to dogs can easily lead to picky eaters or even anorexia. Moreover, canned food is wet food, and dogs that eat wet food for a long time are prone to oral and dental problems.
2. Try to choose higher quality cans for feeding. Puppies and older dogs have poor digestion and poor teeth, so they may not have much appetite for dry dog food, so owners can appropriately add some canned dog food to their food. Generally speaking, high-quality canned dogs have higher nutritional content and better palatability, which can increase the dog’s appetite and supplement nutrition. However, owners should still pay attention to controlling the feeding amount to avoid causing gastrointestinal discomfort and other health problems in dogs.
3. Pay attention to the freshness of canned dogs. The shelf life of canned dog food after opening is very short. Owners should eat it as soon as possible and try to finish it within 3 days. Even if you store the opened canned dog food in the refrigerator, it is best to throw it away if it is not eaten for more than 2 to 3 days to prevent the dog from ingesting the spoiled canned dog food, which may cause diarrhea and other discomforts. In addition, after the owner puts the canned dog food into the dog bowl, he should supervise the dog to finish it as soon as possible. Canned food for dogs can easily breed bacteria when exposed to the air. It is best to replace it if it has not been eaten for more than 2 hours.
