Why is cat food bad for dogs

If you feed a grain-in diet , look for whole or ancient grains, like quinoa or oatmeal. The main problem was the formulation of commercial pet foods: most pet foods were creating a more alkaline urine higher pH which leads to an increase in struvite crystals.

Most commercial dry kibble diets are formulated with a high vegetable and grain content which creates a more alkaline urine. An all meat diet such as a cat would eat in nature creates a more acidic urine. A high protein diet is the best way to maintain a low urinary pH naturally. Cats eating canned diets have fewer problems with FLUTD than those eating primarily dry kibble diets. This is due both to the higher meat content of canned diets as well as the higher moisture content; increased hydration also prevents crystal formation.

A frozen raw food diet is ideal for maintaining a lower urinary pH and providing proper hydration. Focusing on low-ash foods will not solve FLUTD problems, but a healthier diet and proper hydration will. A more effective means of preventing FLUTD than stressing about the amount of ash in your companion's food is focusing on stress reduction for your pet and you. When our companions are stressed , their immune system are compromised. Furthermore, when you are stressed, your companion is far more likely to be stressed.

Flower Essences are an excellent stress reduction and emotional support tool; cats are especially responsive to flower essences and can benefit greatly from their use.

There are flower essences designed for every emotional state, so look through the large selection and choose the one or two remedies that best match your companion's issues. Dosing is as simple as adding a few drops to the water or massaging them onto your pet's ears or paws. A healthy dog or cat can eat a different food at each meal without issue as long as they are high-quality foods.

Holistically minded guardians and veterinarians know that variety is important for several reasons, the most important being to avoid the development of sensitivities to any particular food or protein type. When the same food is fed for many months or years at a time, animals can develop allergies or sensitivities to specific ingredients in the food. Plus, many holistic veterinarians believe that feeding the same food for many years is a contributing factor to inflammatory bowel disease.

Variety provides a wider range of nutrition for your companion as well. Even though a food may be formulated to meet AAFCO standards, that does not mean it meets the standards of every dog or cat. As a matter of fact, many foods that meet AAFCO standards cannot be tolerated by our pets due to the heavy use of grains and grain by-products. A diverse diet will meet the nutritional needs of your companion over time, and, besides that, would you want to eat the same meal everyday?

Remember, every meal doesn't need to be perfectly balanced as long as the diet is balanced over the course of a week. Whenever feeding any diet, it's important to remember to include supplements. Digestive enzymes are hugely important and will help your companion transition from one type of food to another with ease.

They help animals maintain a healthy digestive tract and get the most nutrition from their food. Essential fatty acids , especially from fish oil, provide the omega 3 fatty acids missing from most processed pet foods that nourish the skin, coat and digestive tract. Probiotics are important for animals on medication or those experiencing digestive upsets.

Account Login Register. Holistic Healthcare Library. Previous Article. Next Article. You might even consider a fresh pet food like Ollie. Do your research and choose a food that not only tastes great but will also keep your best friend happy and healthy for many years to come. The Ollie blog is devoted to helping pet parents lead healthier lives with their pups. If you want to learn more about our fresh, human-grade food, check out MyOllie.

Marissa Taffer is a consultant, writer and strategist based in Philadelphia. She lives and works with her rescue dog Charlie, a certified therapy dog. Welcome back! You've successfully signed in. Your account is fully activated, you now have access to all content. Why is Cat Food Bad for Dogs?

Does your dog eat wet or dry food? Let us know and get started with healthy personalized meal plans! The additional amino acid they need is taurine , which is vital for normal vision, heart function, digestion, and a healthy immune system.

In order to satisfy feline dietary requirements, cat food is higher in meat-based protein, taurine, calories, and fat than dog food.

This may be one of the reasons why dogs find cat food so irresistible. The higher fat and protein levels in cat food make it more fragrant and tasty. For some pups, such as those experiencing weight loss, decreased appetite, or battling cancer, cat food might be a great alternative to dog foods.

This is because in these cases, cat food is tastier, higher in calories, and more nutrient-balanced than some home-prepared diets. Small amounts of cat food from time to time are also unlikely to cause any harm to healthy adult dogs.

Cat kibble and cat biscuits can be a much healthier alternative to treats or rewards compared to commonly used human foods, such as chicken, peanut butter , and cheese. If a dog switches to a cat-based diet over time, they might start suffering from a number of medical conditions.

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