[violet0019]

Is It More Dangerous For A Cat To Eat Some Dog Food, Or A Dog To Eat Some Cat Food? Are There Specific Dangerous Ingredients? Thanks.

[Chery]

Not that I know of, I raised both and sometimes they 'snuck' food from each other, and still flourished. In Germany, there are FDA type standards that make the food absolutely safe - I've even heard of people eating it.. The only thing I'm not sure of these days is beef content due to BSE, or 'mad cow disease' so I always choose other ingredients, such as chicken, fish, etc. It might have mainly to do with the vitamins and minerals content. Cats have no gene with which to work with sugar - that's why dogs like chocolate, etc, but cats leave that alone. Have you tried asking a Veterinarian? I'm pretty sure you'll get quite a few more answers soon, good luck in finding the right one.

[labman]

Most American pet foods pass tests using AAFCO standards. If the bag or can doesn't say something on it somewhere about complete and balanced according to AAFCO, leave it on the shelf.

However the standards vary for dogs, cats, and other animals. Cats require more fat and protean than dogs. Maybe that leaves dogs more carbohydrates. As far as I know, there is nothing in either, that will hurt the other except for not giving it what it really needs. I can live on Big Macs and milkshakes, at least for a while. I had better be getting plenty of exercise if I do to burn off the excess fat.

Most of what we eat, will only unbalance their diet if given to dogs or cats. It takes a big, single dose of chocolate to kill a dog, maybe an ounce per pound of dog. However, it is cumulative. Give a dog a little chocolate every day, and one day, it suddenly becomes very sick, purging itself at both ends and dies. Grapes and raisins are far worse, only a few may kill the more sensitive dogs. Another new problem is Xylitol, found in many sugarless gums. It causes a dog's insulin level to soar, depleting its blood sugar.

Chery's answer was good. Perhaps she is a cat person and didn't realize chocolate can kill dogs. If she knows about cats, she will be a big help in an area I know little. Don't let my comments of chocolate run you off.

[Chery]

No problem, labman. I was just using chocolate as an example.. i.e dogs like sweets and cats walk right by. I never gave my dogs chocolate either. I knew someone more qualified would answer and am glad - and yes, for the last 10 years, due to illness and not 'having to go out many times a day' I've become a cat mom for every cat I around. I have 5, three outdoor and two homies. My dughter has one that weighs 15 pounds - he was more of a panther until he got spayed and he loves it when 'grandma' takes care of areas he can no longer 'reach' himself, but otherwise, he's very healthy and happy. My brother in Nevada has 5 dogs and is very busy, but we come from a family of animal lovers and proud of it. Now I know that when I'm stumped, I can count on you for assistance. Have a good one! And thanks again.

[violet0019]

Thank you chery and labman! I "heard" (rumoured) that it was perhaps "TAURINE"? Anyway... thanks and very veryappreciative of your comments labman - concerning the extreme dangers of chocolate, grapes, raisins, and xylitol for dogs - perhaps there will be someone else reading this posting that did not know about this, thereby you will be saving a dog's life!! And actually i just learnt something new from you... although i do not chew this, i was not aware of xylitiol!! Thanks!
I will be posting another similar question, but worded differently so that others will hopefully see and be aware of dangers of specific human foods for cats and dogs!
And p.s... excuse me please -everyone bear with me, i am not accustomed to this site, and not familiar with the format, and so i may be making some mistakes. I am used to the other types of "ASK ME" - type of sites, where one is rated after a reply, so i am a bit confused and may figure it out a bit later... not sure if one is to be rated on this site, nor how to do it, etc. etc... sorry

[labman]

Welcome. Frankly, most of the sites that have an anonymous rating systems, it is flagrantly abused becoming a joke. Certainly it was that way on the original AskMe.com, and is a big mess at Point Ask in the computer area currently.

You can rate here by clicking on the little scale icon in the upper right corner. It doesn't seem to to obtrusive here.

[Chery]

Too true, and for me ratings don't mean much, as I enjoy helping when and where I can and then learn more to boot. The nice part about this forum is that you can review what you wrote, edit it for spelling (sometimes I don't use it though), and receive personal messages from people who can tell you how they really feel about your advice. The negative part of any forum is that they are used by some real cute pranksters, but we all have the choice to overlook those and/or play along with them for the fun of it. Welcome to this one.I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I do.. :)

[violet0019]

THANKS... DO YOU KNOW WHERE THERE IS A PLACE ON THIS SITE TO JUST POST "GENERAL" TYPE QUESTIONS, FOR ALL TO SEE AND REPLY TO IF THEY WISH? In some other ask me type of sites, there was a place called TRIVIA, where some people just posted quick, general questions for all to see... do you know if this exists over here? Just like this particular question, for example!? THANKS.

[Chery]

You are welcome, any time - believe me you'll get more answers later when the 'specialists' sign on.

Good place to post questions is 'family'; 'relationships' and 'computers' they are the ones most looked at. If you check the 'new posts' section up top, you can choose and answer any questions you feel comfortable with. The new posts sections is the first place I look every time I sign on, so that's the best bet for most. Welcome aboard, and have fun too. There are some tricksters that ask questions that really 'bonk' you, but all in all it's a pretty good forum.
;)

THANKS ....DO YOU KNOW WHERE THERE IS A PLACE ON THIS SITE TO JUST POST "GENERAL" TYPE QUESTIONS, FOR ALL TO SEE AND REPLY TO IF THEY WISH? In some other ask me type of sites, there was a place called TRIVIA, where some people just posted quick, general questions for all to see....do you know if this exists over here? Just like this particular question, for example!!?? THANKS.

[Landrail]

Is It More Dangerous For A Cat To Eat Some Dog Food, Or A Dog To Eat Some Cat Food? Are There Specific Dangerous Ingredients? Thanks.

Vets say that it is not good and they are right.
But my cat eats dog food and to eat it is the aim of her life.
She ate it even she was pregnant and lactated. Now she has pretty healthy kittens.
But I'm speaking about the expensive dog food.
:)

[labman]

Some of the more expensive dog chows have more of the fat cats need. Actually, enough to give dogs a healthy looking, shinny coat, but perhaps leaving them overweight. I know of no studies showing dogs do better on the more expensive chows.