No $$$ for dog food - WWYD?

[guestmama9912]

We are getting back our old dog that we gave to a family friend. We were not expecting this at all - it's been a good 6+ months they've had the dog but their son got a big dog who doesn't get along with other dogs. The dog in question is a little chihuahua dog so it's for the best.


I don't have ANY extra for dog food this month at all - I am working my but off trying to cover house taxes this month and the money just isn't coming easy.

I have a bunch of dry cat food left from my old cat who passed away - would it be okay to feed the dog cat food until I have $$$ to get dog food? The cat food isn't really old - maybe 4 months old tops. Said dog used to steal it from the cat all the time so I know she's not allergic, etc to it but wasn't sure since it will be for a week or two if that made it a problem.

and mods feel free to move to pets - wasn't sure which this fit in better.

[lil_earthmomma]

I don't think it will kill the dog to eat cat food for a week or two. Any longer would probably not be great as cat food isn't designed for dogs! lol

[BedHead]

For the short term, sure!

[number572]

A vet told my mom that its alright for dogs to eat cat food but, nutritionally, cats shouldn't eat dog food. Maybe call your local vet & verify. I've also heard that adding rice or pasta to dog food is ok, you may want to google that or ask the vet. Rice is fairly low-cost, maybe you could do half food w half rice for a while if he'll eat it??

[Attila the Honey]

My two small dogs, a poodle and a pomeranian, eat mostly 'real' food - meat with rice and veggies. We do give them dog food, but it's more of a supplement most of the time.

I would avoid anything greasy, spicy or with dairy in it - other than that they might eat brown rice, oatmeal, noodles, whole grain bread, fruit, veggies, eggs, all kinds of meats including cheap ones like cooked chicken livers. I don't really make them special meals, just give them what I make for the family when appropriate or before it's spiced.

This was the diet the vet recommended because one of our dogs has problems with allergies.

[CaraboosMama]

Cat food should be fine. If you are having trouble paying for dog food long term - contact your local aspca - sometimes they can help provide pet food for lower income families or emergency situations.

[Ola_]

Cat food is fine, although probably not the best idea for long term because if I recall correctly, it is more expensive than dog food. I know around here food banks have pet food as does the shelter/humane society so I would definitely use those resources if they are available to you.

[guestmama9912]

Thanks - I figured someone here would know.

I also managed to find a few coupons for free cans of wet dog food I had saved for a friend, so I think between those and the dry cat food we should be good.


And normally I can cover the food okay - just have to budget for it and save my coupons. This month Murphy has just moved in {fixed roof, and then had to replace entire a/c system & house taxes 2nd half is due at the end of the month} so we had to cut anything extra. The cat food I had a bunch of since I got it free after a coupon a while back.

[Shelsi]

There is a pets forum under Mindful Home Management and they are very knowledgeable about all the different foods and such.

[justmama]

A better idea would be to cook for the dog if you have the stuff in the house. Rice and hamburg and drain as much of the fat/grease as possible and some vegetables like carrots would be perfect. Cat food won't hurt the dog short-term but over the long-term feeding improper foods leads to mineral deficiencies and such that can cause big problems. When I was a vet tech there was an owner that brought in her cat who was having a problem with head tilting and it turns out that the cat had serious neurological issues because of a mineral deficiency. It resolved with proper diet after about 3 weeks.

[PlayaMama]

i think, if memory serves me, that one of the problems with cat food is a higher sodium content so it can take a toll on their kidneys. i'd also suggest trying for real food as much as possible with small supplements of cat food.

[flminivanmama]

Originally Posted by number572

A vet told my mom that its alright for dogs to eat cat food but, nutritionally, cats shouldn't eat dog food. Maybe call your local vet & verify.

i've heard the same

also go to http://www.giveabowl.com and do the little quiz. at the end you can print a $3.50 coupon for any purina product. hit the back button to print it 2x. get as many people as you know to print for you - bonus - $1 goes to a local shelter when you use the q.

I think every month you can print 2 more. I'm not sure when it resets but I know after a few weeks I can do it again

[A&A]

Cat food is ok in the very short term but not long term (for dogs):

"In particular, cat foods normally have higher quantities of protein, fat and fiber on a weight per weight basis and have less filling effect. Therefore, it is possible that your dog's general health could be affected if he were to eat only cat food over a long period of time."

http://www.petpeoplesplace.com/resou...t-cat-food.htm

[annettemarie]

I'm going to move this over to Pets

[dachshund mom]

Try contacting a chihuahua rescue group to see if they can donate some food. They will do anything to help keep you from bringing a dog to a shelter.

[Sailor]

Yes, a rescue would help you out. We do this in my rescue (GSD). We've raised money for free surgeries for owners whose pets need them. Most rescues would be happy to donate food, especially if it means the dog will stay with you. It's more economical for us to give you dog food than to get the dog!

Cat food is OK for short term, but I wouldn't feed it long term.

You could also post on freecycle, saying you're looking for some dog food. Or on CL, in the free area. Or maybe you can swap something for dog food.

[onlyzombiecat]

Could you ask the friend returning the dog if they have unused food that the dog has been eating to help you out since it was unexpected?

A week or two on cat food would probably be fine if you have to do it.

If you are thinking of giving regular food as others have suggested in this thread I suggest that you look at a raw diet instead of cooking for the dog. We have a chihuahua and she eats a chicken wing to chicken leg sized piece of meat/bone a day. She does fine. There are threads about raw feeding in this forum and you can find info with an internet search.

[griffin2004]

The food bank at my church distributes pet food. You could check with your local food banks to tide you over.

[Rach]

Our local food bank has started carrying pet food. It's part of the city's efforts to prevent pets from being taken to the shelter due to the economy. Perhaps there is something similar in your area.

Congrats on getting your dog back.

[Ola_]

Originally Posted by justmama

A better idea would be to cook for the dog if you have the stuff in the house. Rice and hamburg and drain as much of the fat/grease as possible and some vegetables like carrots would be perfect. Cat food won't hurt the dog short-term but over the long-term feeding improper foods leads to mineral deficiencies and such that can cause big problems.

I'm no fan of commercial pet foods but the diet you are recommending is not something I would feed for more than a few days. It is lacking in many things, calcium being the most obvious. Frankly I am surprised to see this kind of advice coming from a vet tech. I would suggest sticking with the cat food instead.