How to Stop Your Dog From Eating Cat Food: 5 Expert Tips
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Can you blame them? Savory and deliciously scented, some dogs simply love the taste and aroma of their feline friend’s meal. However, many cat foods are super rich in protein and fat, which can lead to unwanted weight gain in Fido.
While it will take some time and tools, it’s totally possible to get your dog to stop eating the kitty food. You can either train them to ignore it completely or remove the opportunity altogether.
Here are five simple tricks and tips to help you get your dog to stop eating cat food.
Why Is My Dog Eating Cat Food?
Dogs adore the aroma and taste of cat food, as well as the high fat and protein content. Additionally, if you free-feed Fluffy, your pup probably appreciates that there is food always available. Most dogs want tasty treats all of the time. If they have access to tempting tidbits of cat food, who can resist?
Can My Dog Eat Cat Food?
While cat food is not toxic to dogs, your pooch should not be getting into the kitty’s dinner. Your cat is an obligate carnivore and their food is specifically designed to cater to their unique dietary needs. That means food that is brimming with protein and fat.
A dog that gets into cat food one time may have an upset tummy or be gaseous. But if they eat it continuously, they won’t be getting the right nutrients that their body needs and will put on excess weight. Plus, your feline will be missing out on meals!
Top 5 Tips for Getting Your Dog to Stop Eating Cat Food
If you find your dog eating cat food, you need to break this unhealthy addiction. Here are five easy tips to do just that.
1. Elevate Your Kitty’s Food
One of the easiest ways to keep your dog from getting into the cat’s food is to put it in a place where they can’t reach it. Once it’s out of sight, it’ll be out of mind. Put your cat’s bowl on their cat tree, a table, or the kitchen counter. If your cat doesn’t have any health issues, they should be able to easily jump up and get to their food.
One ingenious product to help elevate your cat’s food is K&H Pet Products’ EZ Mount Up & Away cat food bowls. If your kitty enjoys their spot on the window perch, why not allow them to eat there too? The suction cup on the back of the bowl easily attaches to any clear window.
2. Use a Safety Gate
Another option for preventing your dog from eating the cat’s food is to block off the feline’s feeding area with a safety gate. Your cat can effortlessly jump over the gate while most dogs simply cannot scale them.
The Carlson Pet Products Extra Wide Walk-Thru Gate makes it easy for you to get through the barrier too.
- Related Read: DIY Dog Gate Plans You Can Build Today (With Pictures)
3. Opt for a Feeding Schedule Over Free-Feeding
While many pet parents choose to free-feed their cat to allow them to graze at will, this can be tough in a multi-pet household. Consider serving your cat several meals a day at the same time, as your pets need a daily routine. Stay close by to ensure your dog doesn’t sniff out and get into the cat food.
Make sure you’re feeding your dog the right amount, check out our dog food calculator here.
The exact amount of calories an individual animal needs to maintain a healthy weight is variable and influenced by many factors including genetics, age, breed, and activity level. This tool is meant to be used only as a guideline for healthy individuals and does not substitute veterinary advice
4. Teach Your Dog “Leave It”
If you don’t want to put up barriers or monitor your cat as they eat, the “leave it” command could work wonders for your life. Each time you catch Fido sneakily making their way toward the cat’s food, use this command to get them to leave the food alone.
Be sure that you are consistent when using this command and keep a continuous eye on your dog so that you can use it whenever they start wolfing down the wrong food.
Positive reinforcement training, such as clicker training, should do the trick.
5. Get an Automatic Feeding Bowl
The answer to your troubles may be as simple as changing out your current bowl for an automatic feeder. One such feeder is the SureFeed Microchip Small Cat Feeder. This innovative product is programmable to a designated pet’s microchip and will keep the food securely stashed away from any roaming dogs.
Conclusion
While it’s cute to catch Fido gobbling up Fluffy’s food, this ongoing behavior can lead to some health issues down the road. If you come upon a dog eating cat food, you should stop it. Use these five simple tips to keep your dog from eating cat food for happy, and healthy, pets.
Featured Image Credit: Africa Studio, Shutterstock
