Sugar is eating the cat's food and the cat is eating Sugar's food
By spalladino
@spalladino (17891)
United States
July 25, 2010 1:49pm CST
I've had this problem for about two weeks now and it's really frustrating me. As some of you already know my little dog, Sugar, has epilepsy and is on medication to control her seizures. She's been doing very well but her appetite has been funny since she got sick and I discovered, while trying to keep her out of the cat's food, that not eating all day will cause a seizure. She used to eat Pedigree canned food, chopped not chunks, with no problem but then she decided that she likes the cat's dry food better. I've tried several other brands of dog food on her but she continues to turn her nose up at what is in her bowl and eats the cat's food every chance she gets. I've also tried feeding her a natural diet she turns her nose up at that, too. Meanwhile, the cat has been more interested in all the new food that sits, uneaten, in Sugar's bowl. I know that this isn't healthy for either one of them. Does anyone have any ideas, tips or suggestions? If I call the vet they'll probably suggest that I try some of the extremely expensive dog food that they carry...which will probably wind up in the cat's belly, too.
1 person likes this
9 responses
@crazydaisy (3896)
• Canada
25 Jul 10
I would put it up where the dog not able to get to cat's food I got a dog that loves cat's food so I put it high the cat can jump up to the food the water still on floor.
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
26 Jul 10
That's a good idea. Now to figure out a high place to put the cat's bowl. I don't want her on the counters. Thanks!
1 person likes this
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
26 Jul 10
Thanks for the great idea! Sugar might eat her own food if there's cat food sprinkled on top.
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
25 Jul 10
hi spalladino odd that I was talking to my tablemate just a few hours ago at lunch and she was saying her dog is eating the cat's food and her persian cat is now eating the dog's food a nd she is trying to figure out how to stop them. In your case I would suggest feeding Sugar in one place and your cat in another. Maybe if they see they cannot sneak the other's food they will eat just what you give them. I had not idea a dog could have epilepsy too but of course they are also an animal. I do learn a few new things here each day. hope my idea works. good luck.
My tablemate only had the one room like the rest of us so she cannot separate the two pets.
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
26 Jul 10
Hi Hatley! Their bowls actually are in different locations...my big dog's bowl, too. The cat's bowl is in the laundey room off the kitchen and Sugar will casually stroll in there when she thinks no one is looking. I didn't know that dogs could have epilepsy either until Sugar started having seizures...then I learned that some small breeds are known for developing it. I'll try moving the cat's bowl someplace else and see if that helps. At the very least it'll make the cat mad and, since she's a mean cat who bites, it will be fun watching her search for it. 
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
25 Jul 10
Wow spalladino! What a strange dilema! I don't know what to tell
you! My dog had epilepsy too, but he was the only pet we had so
he ate whatever we gave him. In a multi-pet household it is
very difficult to separate the pets and their food, but you may
have to do just that! You might just have to feed Sugar and the
cat in different areas even if it means closing them off! I
don't remember Winky (that was my dogs name-my mother named him)
having a special diet, but it was so long ago. I know it would
be extremely difficult but you might have to put Sugar into
another room or the cat so they eat what they're supposed to!
Sugar has to eat what she is supposed to eat whether she likes
it or not and if it means containing her for awhile to get her
to do it that may be the only answer. I remember my Winky having
seizures and it was very scary. I hope Sugar will settle down
and start eating her food soon!
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
26 Jul 10
Hi Opal! Thanks for the idea of blocking off access to the cat's food. I'll try putting one of the boards we cover the windows with when a hurricane comes across the doorway into the laundry room. The cat can jump over it but Sugar is too short.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
27 Jul 10
It is a bit of a dilemma isn’t it? I can see why it would be frustrating! I would place the cat’s food where the dog cannot possibly get to it up high somewhere as others have already suggested and I would buy some decent quality dry dog food and see how your dog goes with that! I wouldn’t buy from the vet because the pet food there costs an arm and a leg, I would go to a pet supply store; I get my dog and cats’ food there and it is good quality and more reasonably priced than the vet’s.
@Bad_Daddy55 (497)
• Canada
27 Jul 10
Try dry dog foods. The better quality foods will be a little higher, you will be feeding less. No fillers in most foods like Blue Buffalo, Chicken soup. Go on line and find the better foods by a independant source.
You can also get small samplers from most foods and coupons
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
26 Jul 10
Cat food has too much protein for dogs, or so I've heard--it's hard on the kidneys so you have to keep it away from Sugar!
You're going to have to feed them in separate rooms at regular times, no leaving food sitting out for them to eat whenever they want. Or you could also move the cat food to someplace higher up that Sugar can't reach but the cat can jump up to. I guess you'll have to add dinner supervision to your long list of daily duties!
@abitosunshine (765)
• United States
26 Jul 10
I had this same issue with one of my dogs when I also had a cat. The vet said cat food is not good for dogs and to definitely isolate the cat food to a spot or time when the dog cannot get near it. Good luck with that problem! Also, sorry to hear your Sugar has epilepsy, that's a tough one for you and for Sugar.
@Hoshi_Reed (257)
• Brazil
26 Jul 10
Sugar is eating the cat food because it is meat while dog food is meat and grain and vegetables. I'm surprised the Cat is eating the dog food as that isn't as appealing.
The problem is that cat food is too high in protein AND ash. This is detrimental in the long term for the Kidneys. The cat on the other hand will suffer malnutrition if fed only dog food.
Easiest way to keep a dog out of cat food is to feed the cat on high ground that the dog can't reach. Top of the laundry machine is ideal. Just make sure there isn't a path for the dog to get up there too.
If the dog doesn't eat then remove the food so the cat can't eat it and try again every few hours. If there is no cat food available, Sugar should get hungry enough to eat.
