There is no doubt that we are a nation of dog and cat lovers. Recent research by the PFMA has shown that in 2021, there are an estimated 12.5 million dogs in the UK, equating to 33 per cent of all households.

With another 12.2 million cats constituting 27 per cent of households in the UK. These cats and dogs consume lots of different diets, but what are the main differences between cat food and dog food? The below article takes a look at some of the key differences.

The two foods compared

Surprisingly to some dog and cat owners, there is a big difference between a cat and a dog’s nutritional needs and, therefore, their foods. Dogs are omnivores that can survive on a varied diet comprising of components such as meat, fruits and vegetables. However, cats are obligatory carnivores, where meat is biologically necessary for their diets.

Taurine

Cat food is designed to provide the correct taurine levels that a cat must have to survive. This is an essential amino acid that is crucial for the health of a cats heart, eyes, digestion and immune function. Unfortunately, cats are among a few mammals that don’t have the ability to produce taurine themselves, so they must get this from their diets. Whereas a dogs body can naturally produce their own taurine so isn’t a requirement in their diet.

Protein and Calories

Cat food is much higher in meat-based protein than dog food because they are primarily reliant on protein for growth, body maintenance, and energy. Most other mammals, such as dogs, can utilise a number of dietary components such as carbohydrates for energy and so their bodies can adapt to lower protein diets. In addition, it is believed that a cat should have 2 times the amount of protein as a dog, and if they don’t reach these requirements, they can become malnourished quickly and cause several health problems. There is a real need for a higher calorie content in cat food than dog food because of the extra requirements of protein in a cat’s diet.

Taste and Size

Cats and dogs have different taste sensations; this is mainly due to them having different taste receptors. Cats have a total of 470 taste buds, while dogs have 1700. This means that cat food generally has a stronger aroma than dog food to entice them to eat their food. The size of cat food also tends to be smaller than dog food because cats have smaller mouths and smaller digestive systems.

Vitamins

Vitamins are essential for both cats and dogs, but they require these in different proportions. For example, a crucial vitamin for cats is vitamin A, which like taurine, they don’t have the ability to produce; however, dogs do. This key vitamin has important functions in maintaining a cat’s eyes, skin and coat health and, if not given adequate amounts, can lead to issues with a feline’s health.

Here at Paws Pet Food, our range contains various cat and dog recipes, each with their own unique benefits to cats and dogs.

Our Superfood 65® range contains seven recipes for dogs. Each recipe has a total of 65% animal protein sources, of which 35% is Freshly Prepared. In addition, a blend of five carefully selected superfoods, each with its own unique benefits. With added provenance of the raw materials, allows for claims such as Freshly Prepared Scottish Salmon and British Grass Fed Lamb.

Our Connoisseur Cat range contains four fantastic cat recipes. This range has been formulated to provide a selection of high protein and high total animal content recipes that are irresistible to cats. In addition, the range has been formulated to offer an assortment of the finest freshly prepared animal protein sources with added functional ingredients to help care for a cat’s health.