Can cats eat dog food?

A stolen bite of dog food won’t hurt, but cats can’t live on it. Dog food is formulated for a different animal and lacks enough of the nutrients cats must get from their diet, especially taurine, plus the right levels of certain vitamins and animal protein. Over time a cat eating dog food can develop serious deficiencies. In a multi-pet home, feed them separately so the cat eats cat food and the dog doesn’t hoover hers. If your cat consistently prefers the dog’s bowl, look at whether her own food and feeding setup need attention.