[rox]

i have 2 cats and one dog.

they each have their own food, but i find the cats eating the dog food, and the dog eating the cats food!

what can i do?

[opokki]

Your best bet would be either to feed them on a schedule in separate rooms or while you supervise. I feed my cats on a utility table where the dogs can't reach it. The dogs are feed 2x daily on a schedule so their food is not usually available for the cats to eat.

[dstreetmom]

Since cats are such suberb jumpers, I put my cat's food on a little table that the dog cannot get to.... when the cat's food is nearly gone, I give the bowl to the dog to enjoy; she thinks the cat food crumbs are heavenly (dogs love cat food because it has more protein than their food does). Of course, this does not help with the cat eating dog food problem - I can't imagine why that is happening. Sorry!

[luvdanes04]

We have the same problem. Only there is no place for the cat to go that my Great Dane can't reach, lol. So its tricky. We have to feed the cats when the dogs are outside or else close them in our bathroom or bedroom for them to eat.

[Ricardo]

I'm afraid I don't have any suggestions, but I've heard that since cats and dogs have different nutritional needs, it would be better if they didn't share each other's food.

[myca]

The best way to solve that is to separate their eating schedule and eating area. If you feed your dogs, keep your cats busy for them not to mess out dogs food and vice versa. after a week of training for sure they behave well.

[Poohbear]

At our house like some others in this thread, we feed the cats on a desk just for them. My GSD could reach the food if he hadn't been trained that is a "leave it" zone.
I have read somewhere, that it is ok for cats to eat dog food, but not for dogs to eat catfood, as the catfood has too much oil in it for a dog. I think that meant as a regular diet, not as a treat to get rid of crumbs.

[kanji]

Is it really that bad that each one eats the other's food?

[SeeSpotRun]

I wouldn't worry about it. It probably means that they just get along well. I once had a cat who always licked all the gravy of the dogs wet food.

[opokki]

Originally Posted by Poohbear

I have read somewhere, that it is ok for cats to eat dog food, but not for dogs to eat catfood, as the catfood has too much oil in it for a dog.

Actually the opposite is true. Cat food contains all the nutrients dogs require plus some. Dog food lacks several nutrients that are vital to cats.