What to do if your pet ate it
Contact your vet or a poison line right away, report how much dog food dry was eaten and your pet's weight, and keep any packaging or leftovers. Do not induce vomiting unless your vet tells you to.
Signs to watch for
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Lethargy and weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Severe: tremors, breathing trouble, collapse
If your pet shows vomiting, lethargy or any unusual behaviour after eating dog food dry, go to the nearest emergency vet immediately.
Dogs are rated “Safe to share” and cats “Do not feed”. If both share the house, go by the stricter of the two when you decide what to hand over.
Other foods that are toxic or dangerous
The full A–Z food list groups every food by verdict for each species.
Frequently asked questions
Can cats eat dog food dry?
NO — do not feed. Dry dog food is formulated for canine nutritional needs and is safe for dogs. It lacks adequate taurine, arachidonic acid, and certain vitamins required by cats; feeding it to cats can lead to taurine deficiency, retinal degeneration, and heart disease. Cats should not be given dog food.
What if my cat already ate dog food dry?
Call your vet or a poison line now with the amount of dog food dry eaten and your cat's weight, and do not induce vomiting unless a vet tells you to. If dog food dry was eaten and you then see vomiting, lethargy, tremors or breathing changes, go straight to the nearest emergency clinic.
Is there a safe amount of dog food dry for cats?
There is no accepted safe dose of dog food dry for cats; it is classed as toxic or dangerous, and reactions vary with the individual animal, so it is not something to feed at any amount.
How often can cats have dog food dry?
dog food dry is not something to feed at any interval; it stays off the menu entirely.
What are safer treats than dog food dry for cats?
Pick from the safe list instead — Bell peppers or Quinoa (cooked) carry none of the risk that dog food dry does, and they work better as an everyday treat.