Why Is Cat Food Dangerous for My Vizsla?

Dogs should not be fed cat food. Canine owners who keep cats at home should ensure that their pets’ access to feline food is restricted. One of the reasons for this is that cats are carnivores, and their diet consists mostly of meat.

On the other hand, dogs are omnivores and need a much more balanced diet to meet their nutritional requirements. 

Can My Vizsla Dog Eat Cat Food? 

NO! You cannot feed your Vizsla cat food. 

Cat food tends to be high in fat, calories, and protein, which means it’s not ideal for dogs. Remember that these animals must be fed based on a balanced diet. 

Dogs with sensitive stomachs can experience gastrointestinal upset, nausea, and diarrhea after eating cat food. When canines are fed cat food, they are at increased risk of obesity and fatal pancreatitis, an inflammation of the organ that helps the digestive process. 

We must bear in mind that unlike foods that contain toxic chemicals such as chocolate, cat food is highly unlikely to kill a dog. 

Vizslas dogs need a balanced diet rich in protein so feeding them cat food is a bad idea. 

Consequences of Feeding Your Vizsla Dog Cat Food 

If your Vizsla eats a lot of cat food regularly or feeds your pet a mix of cat and dog food, complications can arise. These foods do not have the correct balance of protein, fiber, and all the nutrients that dogs need to stay healthy. 

Cat food contains higher amounts of fat and is very high in calories, which is not positive for the dog’s body. Animal nutritionists recommend at least 5% fat for dog food and 9% fat for cats (almost double). That is a huge difference. 

Dogs can certainly survive on cat food in a difficult situation, but a nutrient imbalance can lead to: 

• Gastrointestinal discomfort. 
• Obesity. 
• Pancreatitis. 

Pancreatitis requires immediate veterinary medical attention. 

Symptoms include: 

• Abdominal pain. 
• Crooked back. 
• Lethargy and weakness. 
• Loss of appetite. 
• Vomiting. 
• Diarrhea. 
• Distended abdomen. 
• Fever. 

The result of feeding your Vizsla dog cat food is an inappropriate imbalance of vitamins and minerals. In many cases, it leads to nutritional deficiencies such as a lack of zinc and vitamin E (essential for dogs). In addition, it also has the excessive and unnecessary inclusion of nutrients in your pet’s diet, such as taurine (very necessary for cats). 

How to Prevent My Vizsla Dog from Eating Cat Food? 

The first step would be never to give your Vizsla cat food. As long as you do not offer this type of food, it will have no interest in eating it. You simply need to keep cat food out of the reach of your Vizsla dog. 

In the event that your pet has already eaten a large amount of cat food, you will need to take it to the vet for a complete checkup.