About MAJO Expertise I have 3 years in pre-vet school (animal science) and am certified in canine behavior and nutrition. I currently own and operate my own business training dogs for private in home training, and group classes. I have competed in conformation, agility, obedience, sheep herding trails, luring and Schutzhund competititions. I have been training for over 15 years and have worked with all breeds including, uncommon and rare breeds. I have seen and heard it all. I also work as a surgery and emergency technician; and I can help with general health concerns. Please feel free to contact me with questions. I also have knowledge in cat and small animal/rodent behavior.
Experience 3 years Texas A&M University as an animal science/pre > vet major. I am certified through Cornell University for canine behavior and nutrition. I have experience in all areas. 15 years training, showing, competing, and studying dogs and their behavior. Also 10 + years working in vet hospitals as a tech and emergency tech.
Question I have a yorkshire terrier who won't eat dog food but loves to eat our cat's food. Is there any difference between dogs and cats foods that might cause any health problems?
Answer Mark,
There is a considerable difference between commercial cat and dog foods as cats have very different nutritional requirements than dogs. Most cat foods have higher amounts of protein and fat, as well as more fiber. For these reasons, it is recommended that dogs be fed strictly dog intended diets. More importantly is the source of protein and the quality of (dog) food you are provided her. I will offer you some recommendations however, if you come to find that she continues to turn her nose up at them you can look to add a few tablespoons of warm unsalted chicken broth, or even consider feeding her a "Raw" or "Natural " diet.
There have been some significant findings on the benefits of these types of diets, and how they have come to not only prolong our pet's loves; but allow them to coexist in a more healthy state. I will provide you with a few resources to research further about these types of diets. If you come to find that they may not be something you are willing to try; than look to provide her with one of the foods I list below. Here is the reasoning as to why:
Most pet owners are not aware of the ingredients being used in the commercial foods that they choose to feed their pets, and the relation they have to their various aliments and medical conditions. Look to the main ingredients in the food you are feeding, and recognize that “by-products” consist of not only indigestible items such as; feathers, hair, hooves, fecal matter, and diseased meats, (deemed inconsumable for human consumption and are usually what is scraped off the floors of slaughter houses).
What's more, listed, (and not) fillers are items such as hair, peanut hulls, and even newspaper. Not only are most of these foods indigestible, but they present inadequate nutrients.
Most likely your Yorkie is lacking the majority of the nutrients her body needs to function on a daily basis. This can not only leave her immune system weak and vulnerable, but can lead to most of the diseases that are pets come to be plagued by.
I will offer a few food alternatives to the current food you are feeding, (if you are not feeding them currently), and can assure you will see a complete change not only in her appearance, and behavior, but in her overall health. The foods I have come to recommend are the result of years of research on nutrition, and its relation to canine and feline diseases that I have done.
Before I started my research I was also completely unaware of the direct relation. I came to realize that several of the breeds of dogs I own, (Mastiffs), where all developed in Europe and it made complete sense, that they evolved eating food ingredients indigenous to that region.
Before hand my dogs my dogs suffered many ailments from allergies to the occasional onset of unexplained diarrhea. Once I started to provide them with foods based on lamb, chicken, and barley, and oatmeal, they did complete 180 turn around, and what seemed like overnight, all the existing conditions they where displaying previously disappeared.
Most commercial dog foods on the market here in America contain beef parts, (including meats full of hormones, toxins, and cancerous parts), and corn fillers. Knowing that Yorkshire terriers are also European breeds and that have a tendency to skin problems and conditions; I recommend you look to fine-tune her food to one of the following; Innova, (California Natural), Solid Gold, (Hund-n-flocken), Neura/Old Mother Hubbard, (Wellness), Natural life, (Lambaderm), or Natures Recipe (Adult lamb and rice, or their breed specific created food for sporting breeds of dogs). Most of these food can be found at large pet supply stores and although they are more costly, she will come to eat less, (since she will be filled with nutritional foods rather than indigestible fillers), and you will need to buy less. Your dog food bill will be actually less.
Finally, I recommend you add an over the counter supplement called, "The Missing Link" to her diet. It is also available at most large pet supply stores. It has not only all the proper levels of nutrients, vitamins and minerals our dogs need, but also high levels of omega fatty acids that will ward off any skin problems, excessive shedding, and allergies.
The resources I recommend for obtaining more information about “Natural” and “Raw” diet s are: Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats – by Dr. Pitcairn
And:
Natural Health Bible for Dogs and Cats - by: Dr. Shawn Messonnier
I hope they will get you started in the right direction if this type diet interests you.
Please feel free to get back to me for more information, or with any additional questions or concerns, as well as for any additional information pertaining to the subject of “Natural” and “Raw” diets.
All the best,
Jodi
