 Show
Why Dogs & Cats Shouldn't Share Food A cat requires specific nutrients, including taurine, that's lacking in dog food in proper amounts. Insufficient dietary taurine could result in kitty heart or eye problems. On the other paw, cat food has more protein and is more calorie-dense than typical dog food. Eating too much cat food could pack on pounds and lead to a pudgy pooch. Because cats and dogs have different eating styles, they need to eat on different schedules, too. Cats tend to nibble a mouthful at a time, and come and go from the bowl throughout the day. Dogs evolved as gorgers and usually gulp everything at once. When you leave food out for kitty all day munching, your dog sees the opportunity to empty the bowl. How to Keep Dog & Cat Food Separate Supervise feedings with cats and dogs on opposite sides of the kitchen. Usually the dog finishes first, and he can go out into the fenced yard to "do his duty" while the cat has more time to finish her meal. 10-20 minutes generally allows enough time for each meal to be finished.
Put cat bowls on elevated spots like counters, cat trees, or the washing machine so they're out of reach of nosy dogs. When the cat's food bowl is next to a preferred sleeping and lookout spot, your cat also will be less likely to graze from the floor level dog dish.
If you don't have enough second story locations or your jumping dog can reach counters, feed pets in different rooms. Assigning each pet a "food place" also identifies the area as owned territory by that particular pet. Placing all the feeding stations in the same spot in your kitchen increases the chance dogs and cats will argue over who owns what.
Perhaps you don't have secure doorways or enough rooms to assign each pet his or her own room. Use a baby gate or pet barrier to segregate hallways or stairways to create separate feeding areas. Baby gates can be stacked so that big dogs can't hop over. They can be situated with a cat-size opening at the bottom so that only the cat can access the food on the other side.
Meal feeding in 2 or 3 scheduled times lets the pets anticipate the routine. Meal feeding is healthier for pets and lets you monitor who eats what. You can pick up any leftovers and lock them safely away in a cabinet for the pet's next meal.
When feeding at the same time won't work, try to stagger feeding times. Most pets eat all they want within 10-20 minutes. You can schedule mealtimes 10 minutes apart in different locations or the same spot, moving pets in and out as needed. That can help you more easily supervise each meal and keep cats and dogs from snitching food from each other's bowls.
If your cat and dog vary greatly in size, create a 'boxed lunch' to give the smallest of the pair a private dining area. Cut a tiny opening in a clear plastic storage container that's only big enough for the smaller pet to get through. That way the pets can see through the container so they aren't ambushed when they enter or exit, and the bigger animal can't get to the food. Place the small pet's food bowl inside the box to nibble at his leisure.
Use puzzle toys to feed your pets. Most cats won't bother with the dog toys, so your dog's food may be considered off limits while the dog gets the added benefit of playing with a toy and getting "paid" with food. Place dry food inside a puzzle toy. You can find them at most pet stores or make one yourself. Place dry food inside a clear water bottle with the cap off, for example. -There also are commercial cat puzzle toys and timed containers that keep canned cat food fresh yet prevent dogs from accessing. For a homemade cat puzzle toy, get a clear plastic sealable box and cut paw-size holes in the lid. Place dry cat food inside for the cat to see and "fish" the food out.
Although some dogs are finicky feeders, most spend their lives perpetually hunting for anything delicious. And, as multi-pet families can attest, this sometimes includes cat food. This behavior can be problematic for a variety of reasons, and you should do everything you can to help prevent your dog from getting into the cat’s food. It isn’t always easy to do so, but there are a number of potential solutions that deserve your consideration. We’ll cover all the potential options — including dog-proof cat feeders — here!
Continue reading for more in-depth reviews The Problem with Cat Food: Why Shouldn’t You Let Your Pup Eat Cat Food?Although many owners often find it humorous when their dog tries to steal their cat’s food, this behavior can lead to a number of issues. Some of the most important include: Reason #1: Health ConcernsDog food and cat food have very different compositions and are designed to meet different nutritional needs of each species. And while healthy dogs are unlikely to become seriously ill from munching on a bowl full of cat food, regular consumption can cause a litany of health problems. For starters, cat food is often richer than dog food. Many cat foods provide the bulk of their calories in the form of proteins and fats, while dog foods usually feature a significant amount of carbohydrates. In the short term, a dog eating cat food usually only leads to an upset stomach, but the long-term effects can be serious for chronic cat food thieves. The calorie-dense nature of cat food (particularly wet foods) can lead to weight gain if your dog makes a habit of consuming the cat’s chow. Many of our dogs are already a touch on the portly side, so they certainly don’t need any extra help packing on the pounds. Obesity can lead to a number of secondary problems, ranging from arthritis to diabetes. Some dogs may even experience pancreatitis – a potentially fatal condition — after consuming a single meal with extremely high levels of fat. Food allergies and intolerances are another concern for dogs that eat cat food. Food allergies can be caused by just about anything from artificial coloring agents to corn to beef, so it is usually wise to feed your dog his normal food, which you know he can tolerate. Reason #2: It Establishes Bad HabitsAfter getting a taste of cat food, many dogs begin to prefer it to their own food. This can cause them to begin refusing their own food and waiting for you to feed the cat. This may even lead to further bad habits, such as begging at the dinner table. Reason #3: Your Cat’s Health and Well-BeingIf your dog is eating your cat’s food, chances are that your cat isn’t getting the calories and nutrients he needs. This can not only force your cat to walk around with a half-filled belly, but it can even contribute to nutritional deficiencies or weight loss. Reason #4: Potential For Pet-on-Pet ConflictSome cats and dogs are more defensive about their food than others, and sometimes fights can break out. Both animals can become injured in such altercations, sometimes seriously so. Additionally, conflicts and near-conflicts can saddle your pets with stress and anxiety. Now that you understand the importance of protecting your cat’s food, you’ll need to take steps to correct the issue. The easiest way to do so is by purchasing a high-quality dog-proof cat feeder, such as one of the following five. There are also a few DIY solutions that may help, which we will discuss a little later. 1. SureFeed Microchip Pet FeederAbout: The SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder is designed to keep food under lock and key, until the pet with the proper RFID tag or microchip approaches. This signals the feeder to open, allowing the desired pet to feed in peace.
Details
Features:
PROS Most owners reported that this dish works exactly as advertised and helps to keep their pooch from raiding their cat’s food. Most owners explained that their cat learned to use the feeding dish quickly and without any fear or hesitation.
CONS While most owners were pleased with the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder, a few noted that it did not close quickly enough after their cat left. While this isn’t a problem for cats that eat all of their food in one sitting, it may represent a problem for owners of cats who prefer to graze several times throughout the day. 2. Felines Only Purrrfect Cat DishAbout: The Purrrfect Cat Dish features a large plastic shroud, which will easily accommodate your cat’s small head, while keeping Fido’s muzzle safely separated from the delicious food. Because there are no moving parts, there aren’t many things that can break or go wrong with this dog-proof cat feeder, and you won’t have to worry about batteries either.
Details
Features:
PROS Most owners love the Purrrfect Cat Dish and are pleased with its ability to keep Fido out of their cat’s food dish. Many are also happy with the simplicity of the unit and the fact that it helps keep the feeding area free of kibble and splashed water.
CONS A few owners state that small dogs are sometimes able to access the food, although such reports are relatively rare. A few owners also feel like the quality of the materials and craftsmanship leaves a little to be desired, but this is to be expected from such an affordable product. 3. Feed-Safe Feeding StationAbout: The Feed-Safe Feeding Station works by automatically dispensing up to 4 small, pre-portioned meals to your cat. The big benefit for this feeder is that the dishes are very small, making it a bit more difficult for your dog to sneak in and get a taste while your cat is eating.
Details
Features:
PROS The smaller portions should be less inviting to your dog, and the automatic feeding is handy for when you’re away.
CONS While the smaller dishes allow your cat to hover over her food better, a confident dog could easily still scare your cat away and dig in on the dinner. 4. OurPets Wonder Bowl Selective FeederAbout: The Wonder Bowl Selective Feeder only opens to allow access to the food with your cat walks by wearing the included electronic collar tag. This provides you with additional flexibility, as the feeder can be used to protect the food of any of your pets, including other dogs.
Product
OurPets WonderBowl Selective Pet Feeder 799 Reviews
Details
Features:
PROS Many owners report being quite pleased with the Wonder Bowl Selective Feeder, and find that it solves their problems immediately. Most explain that it is easy to set up and doesn’t require any assembly. The electronic tag’s built-in battery life indicator is also appreciated by most owners.
CONS Several owners who tried the Wonder Bowl Selective Feeder complained about the need to replace the batteries very frequently. Also, several people lament the fact that the product only comes with an electronic tag and requires you to supply your own collar. DIY Options: How to Keep Dog From Eating Cat FoodWhile a dog-proof cat feeder is generally the most effective way to stop the average cat food thief, occasionally, owners are unable to find one that works satisfactorily. But don’t worry, you can still keep your dog out of your cat’s food dish. You just need to use a little creativity. Most of the following solutions are incredibly simple, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t effective. Elevate the FoodOne of the best ways to manage a mixed-species household is by leveraging the leaping and climbing abilities of cats. Most adult cats can easily jump on a standard countertop or table, while few dogs are able to access such elevated locations (although some pups are skilled at jumping on counters). However, encouraging your cat to jump up on your kitchen counter or table is not the most hygienic notion in the world. Your cat’s paws are somewhat filthy, and you don’t want him smearing germs all over the same counter you use to make breakfast for your family. Accordingly, you’ll want to provide him with some other elevated place in which he can eat. This needn’t be anything elaborate; a simple utility table placed in some out-of-the-way location will work well. You can also create any number of shelves or platforms (there are even commercially manufactured cat shelves available) that attach to your walls or are suspended from the ceiling. Anything your cat can access safely will work – your imagination is the only limitation. Build an Exclusion FeederYou can build your own version of a dog-proof cat feeder by creating a cage or container in which you can place your cat’s food. You’ll then need to prepare some type of door or entrance that allows your cat to enter the container, but is small enough to deny your dog access to the interior. This is usually easiest to accomplish when your cat and dog are drastically different sizes. In its simplest form, this solution requires nothing more than a big plastic storage box with a suitably sized whole cut into the top or side. There are a million ways to build an exclusion feeder, so feel free to use your imagination. Use a Selective Pet DoorOf course, you can take the size-exclusion principle to the next level by using a selective pet door, like the Carlson Walk Through Gate with Pet Door. These gates are built like standard dog gates, except that they also feature a small, free-swinging pet door, which will allow small pets to pass through. By using one of these, you can just keep your dog out of the kitchen (or whichever room you feed your cat in), and feed your cat on the floor as you normally would. Once your cat has finished, you can clean up the dishes and open the pet door. However, this is not an ideal solution for owners of cats who like to graze on their food over the course of the day, as you’ll need to keep your dog excluded for long periods of time. Feed in a Separate RoomAlthough it so simple that it seems disingenuous to call it a “solution,” simply feeding your cat in a room your dog can’t access is the easiest way to keep your dog’s muzzle out of the cat’s dish. You may need to experiment to find a place your cat feels comfortable eating, but if you keep trying, you’ll eventually find a place that works for you and your cat. While it can be challenging to keep your dog out of your cat’s food (particularly after he’s developed a taste for it), most of the above-mentioned products and solutions will provide some degree of success. Just keep trying solutions until you find the one that works for you and your pets. Creativity can often provide a number of viable solutions to this problem, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different approaches. Just be sure to keep your pet’s safety in mind and avoid using anything that may be toxic or dangerous while engineering a solution. We’d love to hear about any clever solutions we didn’t already mention. Let us know what has worked for you (including any dog-proof cat feeder that has proven helpful) in the comments below. |
How to keep dogs out of cat food
Postagens relacionadas
direito autoral © 2024 estudarpara Inc.
