Feeding the Feral Cats > Dog food??? Opinions Please!

[VIOLET0019]

I care for several feral cats outside. Unfortunately, I have nearly run out of cat food. I would like to know your opinions please: Is it very dangerous to feed the cats some (holistic ) dry dog food, mixed in to their regular dry cat food? [for a few days, until I am able to arrange for someone to go to the store to help me (I am ill)] I am wondering if there is anything in the dry dog food that might make them ill/give them stomach pain etc.? Thank you!

[marko]

It stands to reason that some food is better than no food, but as far as i know, dog and cat foods are VERY different and neither species will do well longterm on the food meant for the other species.

My opinion is that a couple of days won't do too much harm especially when the alternative might be no food at all.
Good luck!

[Longblades]

A couple of days is fine.

[14+kitties]

If it is for just a few days then go ahead. Check to see if the dry dog food contains taurine. That is the biggest differences between dog and cat food. In days past it was considered dangerous for cats to be on a steady diet of dog food because dog food did not contain taurine. Researchers have now decided that taurine is a good thing for dogs as well and some of the better ones have started adding it to dog food.
If you check the ingredients in foods you will find there really is not much difference between them. In fact with some holistic food brands they are exactly the same. I "believe" but don't quote me that Instincts canned food are exactly the same. A lot of people have started to buy the large can of dog food to feed their cats because it works out much cheaper than the smaller cans of cat food.
Good luck. I hope you feel better soon.

[chico2]

Thank you for feeding the feral/stray cats

[BenMax]

Visit the humane societies as many of the donated food can be tossed out. They do keep some in reserve to help out in situations such as yours.

BTW - thank you so much for helping the ferals and abandoned.