Double the trouble? Feeding cats and dogs together

Updated 26/06/2024

Cats and dogs have their differences, but they all agree on one thing: Dinner time is the best time of day! Feeding cats and dogs together, however, can be tricky. If you’re lucky enough to live in a household with snuffle monsters and meow babies, you’re probably aware of the daily drill operation needed when feeding dogs and cats.

Is the automatic dog and cat feeder the answer? Can you feed cats dog food and dogs cat food? Is it possible to have a shared dog and cat feeding station? All great questions and all ones we’ll hopefully answer below. Don’t worry, we’re not going to be debating whether dogs are better than cats, or if cats are smarter than dogs, we want to be all about peace, harmony, and co-living in comfort.

Whilst our tips and tricks are always well-researched, make sure you talk to your vet before changing anything to your fur family’s routine or if you’re concerned about any feeding behaviors.

With all this in mind and questions at the ready, let’s shine a cat’s eye view of this dog’s dinner and find out if feeding cats and dogs together is paw-sible…

Feeding cats and dogs together

First things first, how are your cat and dog around each other? Chilled? Nonchalant? Irritable? This is a critical starting point when feeding dogs and cats together. A joint cat and dog feeding station is not a good idea if they don't simply tolerate one another. Similarly, if you have at least one highly food-motivated meower or forever-hungry hound, you may find shared mealtimes have to be heavily supervised.

However, not all of us have the luxury of space to offer a separate cat and dog feeding station, nor do some of us have the time to conduct multiple different feeding routines. If pooches and purr-babies have to share breakfast and dinner there are a few things you can do to make tasty time less stressful for them and you.

Put the cat’s food up high

Even in the smallest of apartments, there should be some shelf space or a high place your kitty likes to survey their domain from. If you struggle to feed your cat and dog at the same time, place the cat’s food on this high platform to give them some secure privacy. Otherwise, a large windowsill, kitchen counter, or on top of a cabinet can also work. Doggos may be able to jump, but noway near as high as cats.

Separate spaces

Whilst feeding cats and dogs in different rooms may not be possible for everyone, creating a dog-free zone and vice versa with cats, can help build boundaries for both pets. Some cats and dogs will require additional training for this to happen, for others, they might embrace and relish this new idea of a safe space in the same room.

Training

To follow on from the point above, additional training can make a huge difference and improvement in their behavior around mealtime. The American Kennel Club offers loads of free advice and videos to help with food training without the cost of a professional trainer. Otherwise, see if there are any local classes or one-off sessions to help with creating boundaries at home for your pets.

How to feed cat and dog separately

In addition to our tips above, feeding cats and dogs separately can easily be done by simply conducting mealtime for them in different rooms. Your pups may prefer or be able to eat outside whilst Mr. Kitty can take his time chowing down on some tasty wet food. A separate cat and dog feeding station is also advisable, allowing your pets to have their bowl marked with their scent. 

If you’re able to juggle different routines for pups and pooty-cats, serving them food at separate times can also help. Food-motivated monsters should be allowed to go first, followed by a distraction into a different room or outside, allowing the slower eaters to take their time in peace. 

Can you feed cats dog food and dogs cat food?

As a rule of thumb, don’t feed dog food to cats and vice versa. If your pup happens to snaffle your cat’s food or you catch your kitty tucking into some doggy kibble, it won’t hurt or cause permanent harm. However, it should not be encouraged or seen as being normal.

Dogs and cats have very different dietary requirements - doggos are omnivores so require pet foods with mixed nutrition from meats, vegetables, and grains. Kitties on the other paw are pure carnivores and need the amino acid taurine in their diet, because they can’t make it within their bodies like dogs can. Cat food is also higher in fat, so can cause tummy and intestinal issues in dogs.

What not to feed dogs and cats?

Well, you’re in luck, as we have a whole bunch of articles on tips on what not to feed dogs and cats, as well as a list of human foods that are pet-safe. Head to our blog to our blog and check out our posts about pet nutrition. Remember, always talk to your vet first before introducing a new food into your cat or dog’s diet, even if the Internet says it’s safe! Even relatively harmless foods can cause upset tummies in some animals, so make sure you have a good plan in place that’s been vet-verified.

Meet our veterinary expert, Hannah

This article has been checked by veterinarian Dr Hannah Godfrey BVetMed MRCV.

Hannah graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2011 and worked in mixed practice for a few years before focusing on small animal work. Clinically, she worked in a busy, multi-center hospital practice until 2018, where she underwent training in advanced canine and feline dentistry and began working towards a Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice. She then moved to a local independent practice to care for the pets nearby, allowing more time to focus on other career avenues, which include writing for a diverse range of pet websites, vet practices, drug companies, journals, and veterinary educators. 

We love hearing animal anecdotes and stories from our members, it’s all a big part of our pet-loving community. If you have your tips and tricks on feeding cats and dogs together, head to our Community Forum, join a conversation, or start a thread of your own. Not a member yet? Interested? Have a look at our different pricing plans and see which one would suit you and your fur family best.