Dog treats are made of natural ingredients such as kibble and almond or palm oil.
Since they’re fine for cats to eat, many dog owners give them to their cats to enjoy as a snack. However, it’s important to note that not all cats are inclined towards dog treats.
If your favorite canine seems unhappy with a Dog Treat, it is most likely a the fault of than its palate. So, can cats eat dog treats?
A cat can indeed eat dog treats, but it’s important that you take certain precautions when offering them food from your own dog’s supply to your cat.
Kittens are especially vulnerable to food-borne illnesses such as Salmonella and Listeria.
This is because their immune systems are still developing and are unable to fight off these germs effectively.
One simple way to prevent food-borne illnesses in cats is to cook all meats before feeding them to your cats.
Next, make sure that the treat is fresh before feeding it to your cat.
Can Cats Eat Dog Treats?
Many dog treats are acceptable for cats to consume, but it’s important to remember that not all dogs are as friendly with their canine counterparts as others.
Some dogs choose to guard their food and will not give it up no matter how desperately their feline companion begs and pleads for it.
Also, not all dogs are as eager or willing to share their favorite treats with cats as others.
If the latter is the case, and your cat is desperate for a snack, simply purchase a cat food treat instead.
Cats may be poisoned if they consume these dog treats due to the presence of chocolate or xylitol (also known as xylithol).
However, a cat eating merely one chocolate covered or peanut butter filled dog treat will not be harmed.
Will Dog Treats Hurt Cats?
Cats should avoid eating these treats due to a number of potential health problems that may result if they do.
Many components used in dog treats are problematic even for dogs to eat in excess. As such, any amount of it can cause problems when consumed by cats.
If your cat is allergic to some ingredients, such as chocolate or peanut butter, it will be even worse for their health if they consume one of these treats.
Cats are more sensitive than dogs to the toxic effects of chocolate, which can lead to vomiting and diarrhea in cats as well as more serious conditions such as seizures and heart problems.
Ethylene glycol is one of their primary concerns and it can be found in chocolate as well as a lot of commercial dog treats.
This substance is most closely related to antifreeze and is harmful in even small amounts.
It is poisonous to dogs in principle, but due to its sweet taste and tendency to dissolve in fats and oils it is even more dangerous to cats.
It should not be used in cat food, and any dog that is accidentally fed too much can get very sick.
Ethylene glycol is known to have a very tight margin between toxicity and death in not only dogs but humans as well, and this margin is even smaller with cats.
Are Dog Treats Bad For Cats?
Cats should avoid dog treats altogether in the vast majority of cases.
In fact, though, most cat treats aren’t that different to dog treats either, and should be avoided for the same reasons.
Giving your cat dog treats is OK in a limited sense – as long as your dog doesn’t mind sharing whatever treat it is that it wants to eat with your cat.
However, remember that even if a dog chooses not to share some food with a cat it doesn’t mean that that cat is upset or angry with the canine.
Are Dog Treats Safe For Cats?
Dog treats are not suitable for cats to a significant degree.
To survive, cats need a lot of protein-rich food provided by lean muscle meat that is low in fat and carbohydrates.
These nutritional supplements are supplied by regular cat food in sufficient quantities, and the cat food is supplemented with vitamins and other supplements which protect cats from disease and help their bodies to heal, grow and thrive.
Dogs can survive on low protein food, but they need large amounts of high protein food along with lots of potentially harmful substances such as fats and carbohydrates.
When a cat is fed dog treats which contain large amounts of fat and carbohydrates its nutrition will suffer.
A dog, for example, can manufacture its own fatty acids which it can then use for energy.
What Types of Dog Treats Can My Cat Have?
There are many different kinds of dog treats on the market, so you may wish to have a look around your local pet store to see what is available.
The first thing to keep in mind is that dogs are not naturally attracted to cat foods in the same way that cats are naturally attracted to dog foods.
If your cat eats too much of this food, however, it may become ill as a result of its cat treats.
Small, dry, crunchy dog treats are a particularly good choice for cats as they don’t take up as much room as wet dog food and they don’t smell as strongly as wet dog food or cat treats.
They come in a variety of flavors such as cheese, liver or even fish, and they make many varieties of cat treats available which are tasty and healthy for your cat.
To reduce the danger of your cat eating its dog treats you may want to keep it in an average-sized room with no windows where its cat treats cannot be reached.
If you don’t have any treats on hand, you may also want to play a trick on you cat using a can.
Look for multi-pet choices that are expressly made for animals with a specific dietary need or a specific health challenge such as diabetes.
Differences Between Cat And Dog Treats
Depending on the sort of product, there may often be vital information such as whether it is suitable for cats, how much your pet should eat per day and the diet that is recommended.
While cat treats are primarily meat-based, dog treats sometimes contain less meat and more fillers like corn or soy.
This is because cats are carnivores and when keeping with their main diet are good for them.
In fact, several elements present in dog treats can be dangerous to cats if they eat too much of it or are exposed to it too much.
If you’re unsure if a certain dog treat is safe for your pooch, be sure to check with your veterinarian first.
Can Cats Eat Dog Chews?
Because they don’t include any of the food that a cat would eat, these treats are ideally suited to dogs who otherwise may not be able to enjoy treats.
However, they’re still known to cause upset stomachs in some dogs (though not all) and should be avoided unless recommended by your vet.
Can Cats Eat Peanut Butter Dog Treats?
Peanut butter has a high fat and salt content, and dogs are not especially prone to these types of problems.
If you have a cat and never give your dog peanut butter, it’s best to keep peanut butter away from your cat as well.
Feeding peanut butter-flavored treats to your pets may not cause any immediate issues.
Peanut butter also includes a significant concentration of umami, a compound that stimulates a dog’s appetite.
Peanut butter dog treats should form part of a balanced diet, but should be avoided by cats and any other animals in the household that don’t need the additional calories.
Can Cats Eat Dog Jerky?
Although dog jerky isn’t typically the kind of food for which people seek out special cat-safe alternatives, some pet owners may be concerned about it because of the seasonings that are used.
Because cats chew less than dogs, pieces of jerky are more likely to become lodged in your cat’s throat or gastrointestinal tract.
Jerky is a tough meat that is generally very high in protein and low in carbohydrates, and may be unsafe for cats to eat.
Our feline pals have sensitive stomachs, so it is best to stick to foods that are made for cats.
Also Read: Can Cats Eat Hot Dogs?
Conclusion
Cats can’t eat dog treats unless the dog treats are precooked and free of preservatives and other ingredients that cats may react to unfavorable.
If your cat is happier on chicken rather than dog food, stick to eating that instead of giving your dog’s treats to your kitty.
So , Should Cats Eat Dog Treats? Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning that they require meat in their diets in order to thrive and stay healthy.
Cats are more sensitive than dogs to many substances which are found in dog foods, cat treats, and many other types of pet food.
