Can dogs eat cat treats? A vet’s guide to safe treats for dogs

Can dogs eat cat treats? If you have more than one type of furry friend in your home, this is a common question you might be asking yourself

Dogs are pretty intelligent creatures. Even if you give your dog one of the longest lasting dog chews to keep them busy, with their keen sense of smell and nose for adventure they can track down these morsels of goodness in the most unexpected of places. Whether it’s in a dedicated cupboard, your cat’s food bowl or a rogue treat has found its way onto the floor. 

But can dogs eat cat treats? What should you do if you find that your dog has eaten some? And what are the differences between the two types of pet treats? To make sure the health of your pets isn’t compromised, we asked Dr Joanna Woodnutt to discuss what’s safe for dogs to eat and what ingredients you should avoid. Here’s what she had to say. 

What is the difference between dog treats and cat treats?

Firstly, let’s look at where the best dog treats and cat treats differ. Of course, there are lots of different types of treats on the market for both species, but the range tends to be greater for dogs.

Dog chews, dried natural treats, and bones tend to be created for dogs alone – cats have no equivalent. This is because cats aren’t natural chewers – they tend to eat freshly killed prey, of a small enough size that their teeth can quickly crunch through bones. Whilst dogs often prefer long, chewable stick-like treats, cats prefer something they can eat quickly and move on. 

Dog training treats, on the other hand, are similar in size and content to the best cat treats. They’re often meat-based, although many cheaper brands will include plant materials and grains to produce a kibble-like treat. 

If you look at the ingredients in dog training treats and cat treats at the supermarket, you’ll see they’re pretty similar. Cat treats are slightly more likely to contain chicken and fish rather than beef and lamb, and they’re also often smellier than dog treats. Dog treats are often larger than cat treats and may contain more calories per treat. Lastly, cat treats tend to be more expensive than dog treats when you compare similar products.

Can dogs and cats eat the same treats?

So, let’s look at whether dogs can eat cat treats. Luckily for owners of both pets, the answer is yes. Cat treats are generally safe for dogs. But what about cats – can cats eat dog treats? The answer is a little more complicated. Whilst a one-off dog treat is unlikely to harm a cat, it’s important to be aware that dog treats can sometimes contain small amounts of ingredients that are toxic to cats. For instance, they might contain ethylene glycol, onion, or garlic. These treats will have been manufactured to be safe for dogs and tested thoroughly – but they won’t have been tested on cats. 

Whilst cat treats are generally safe for dogs, there are a few basic rules you need to apply in order to safely feed cat treats to your pooch:

1. Don’t make a habit of it!

It’s not a good idea to feed cat treats to your dog on a daily basis. After all, they are different species with different nutritional needs. Cat treats are often too small to be interesting to most dogs – many will be happier with one of the best longest lasting dog chews.

2. Stick to the 10% rule

Treats, whether dog or cat, are nutritionally incomplete – they don’t contain all the nutrients required to thrive. This means that, alongside other incomplete sources, they should never make up more than 10% of your pet’s daily calorie allowance. When you’re working out how many cat treats your dog can have, look at their total daily calorie allowance, then find 10%. Now, take off calories for any table scraps, dog treats, dental chews, or other snacks they get. What’s left is how many calories they can have in cat treats – and it’s probably not many!

3. Check the ingredients

It’s a good idea to check the ingredients list for red flags before feeding anything to your pet. Although cat treats are unlikely to contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs, they can be extremely high in fat, which may cause pancreatitis in susceptible dogs.

Can dogs eat catnip?

Catnip is a favorite with many cats. It’s sometimes included in cat treats as a natural calming agent. If your dog has eaten catnip from the garden, dried catnip, or a catnip treat, you might be wondering whether it’s safe for dogs to eat catnip.

Luckily, catnip is thought to be safe for dogs, although they don’t have the same reaction to it as cats do. However, some people claim there’s still a calming effect and, whilst there’s no scientific evidence of this, there’s no harm in trying catnip treats with your dog to see whether they work.

What happens if my dog eats cat treats?

If your dog eats one or two cat treats, there’s nothing to worry about. Cat treats are generally safe for dogs as they don’t contain any toxic ingredients. However, you should be more cautious if your dog eats lots of cat treats. Whilst it’s not good for your dog to gorge on any food, even his own, cat treats are often higher in fat than dog treats are, meaning they’re more likely to cause pancreatitis if your dog eats a lot. 

Unless you are concerned about your dog, it’s usually fine to monitor your dog at home after eating cat treats. Look out for signs of stomach upset, including abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea, and call your vet if you become worried about your dog at any time.

So, can dogs eat cat treats?

Cat treats are generally safe for dogs to eat, but dog treats are not always safe for cats. It’s fine to feed your dog the occasional cat treat as a reward if they enjoy them but make sure you aren’t feeding them too many, or you could cause pancreatitis, obesity, or a nutritional deficiency.

Can dogs eat chicken bones? The resounding answer is no. But don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what a vet had to say.