# Can I eat cat food? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 8, 2010, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-eat-cat-food/559884 "2010-11-08T07:54:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2010, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-eat-cat-food/559884/21 "2010-11-08T20:43:50Z")
Cat food might be preferable to dog food in that dog food often has bone meal in it - I remember tasting the dog’s food when I was a kid, and both the wet and dry stuff was very gritty. It was also awfully bland - dogs don’t care so much about their food being seasoned. I remember a guy in a dorm once who kept a box of Purina Puppy Chow around for snacks. Whether he actually liked the stuff or was just doing it to get a rise out of people I don’t know. I suspect the latter. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2010, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-eat-cat-food/559884/22 "2010-11-08T22:59:49Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > My GF works for large fish wholesaler that supplies restaurants and hotels (v. high quality stuff). As you can imagine, fish is highly perishable and they have a constant battle to avoid waste. Anything not good enough to sell as fresh to restaurants or through their retail shops goes to canned food (yep, all the tuna and salmon you all like to wolf down) All the canned tuna I buy has “canned in Seychelles” (or Ghana, or wherever) written on it. I doubt that they ship it back to the Seychelles for canning. ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2010, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-eat-cat-food/559884/23 "2010-11-08T23:02:48Z")
We did a thread on here where someone was eating monkey chow. I don’t remember the specifics though. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-eat-cat-food/559884/24 "2010-11-09T03:08:52Z")
When the melamine food recall was going on in '07, I remember a rep from the boutique pet food manufacturer of Wellness making a stir when she ate a spoonful of cat food on-air, to demonstrate that they use human-grade ingredients that are wholesome even for people. (And, of course, that they would never have used ingredients that could have possibly been of such low quality as to have come from China - never mind the stuff was found in baby formula, too). ---
**Author:** ![OnyxGold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/b5e925/32.png) [@OnyxGold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OnyxGold)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-eat-cat-food/559884/25 "2010-11-09T03:42:58Z")
I remember once reading an article about a woman who was worried that her toddler would eat pet food, and her doctor’s response was that it was probably more nutritious than what she would normally eat and not to worry about it. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-eat-cat-food/559884/26 "2010-11-09T03:51:30Z")
This thread goes with another like fortified wine may well go with kitty chow: **McRib Mania! Can I eat cat food?** NO! YOU EAT MCRIB! ---
**Author:** ![OnyxGold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/b5e925/32.png) [@OnyxGold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OnyxGold)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-eat-cat-food/559884/27 "2010-11-09T03:57:33Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > This thread goes with another like fortified wine may well go with kitty chow: > > **McRib Mania! > Can I eat cat food?** > > NO! YOU EAT MCRIB! Oh now That’s funny! ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-eat-cat-food/559884/28 "2010-11-09T10:16:52Z")
> [@Ximenean](#): > > All the canned tuna I buy has “canned in Seychelles” (or Ghana, or wherever) written on it. I doubt that they ship it back to the Seychelles for canning. Doesn’t mean it’s any fresher than the stuff canned at home. Good tuna’s too valuable to put in tins. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-eat-cat-food/559884/29 "2010-11-09T14:58:02Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > On a related note, I remember hearing once that humans could survive fine on cat food, but dog food didn’t have sufficient protein or some other essential ingredient for long-term survival. Anyone know if that’s true? Maybe it was just my mom trying to keep me from eating the dog food as a kid. I’ve heard that one can live on dog food indefinitely, even if it’s not an optimal diet, except that it is not required to have vitamin C in it (dogs make their own). So… you’d need something to prevent scurvy. Like lemon juice. But with that it’s probably OK from a survival standpoint. ---
**Author:** ![EvilTOJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@EvilTOJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilTOJ)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-eat-cat-food/559884/30 "2010-11-09T15:39:17Z")
As an FYI, Beggin’ Strips taste just like every vegan bacon I’ve ever tried. Not even CLOSE to tasting like real bacon. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-eat-cat-food/559884/31 "2010-11-09T15:44:11Z")
> [@coremelt](#): > > in general I’d do a WAG that eating pet food in the US is equivalent to eating normal food at a average restaurant in India, China or Indonesia… > > eg billions do it and survive daily… our standard of hygiene in the west are perhaps somewhat obsessive… WAG indeed. Methinks you think too highly of the “[standard](http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/phcommon/public/eh/closure/restall1.cfm) [of](http://www.baltimorehealth.org/foodclosures.html) [hygiene](http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/local/Hundreds-of-eateries-rack-up-health-violations-87267627.html) [in](http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/04/09/2010-04-09_closings_on_the_menu_health_dept_shuts_down_27_more_restaurants_in_09_as_agency_.html) [the](http://www.derivativeworks.com/chicago_department_of_health_restaurant_closures/) [west](http://www.allfoodbusiness.com/health_inspections.php).” ---
**Author:** ![Floater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-eat-cat-food/559884/32 "2010-11-09T15:58:59Z")
I remember reading about an old man who had somehow lost his glasses, so he went to the local social welfare office and asked if he could borrow some money, until the next time he got his pension, to allow him to buy a new pair, as he had a choice of being able to see and being able to buy food. The welfare officer said that lending money was beyond her instructions, but she could always give him food coupons to get him through. The man, being of a somewhat grumpy (and proud) persuasion, said “Thanks, but no thanks”, bought himself new glasses and spent the rest of the month sharing his dog’s dry fodder (of which he had an ample supply). ---
**Author:** ![LavenderBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-eat-cat-food/559884/33 "2010-11-09T16:34:59Z")
> [@EvilTOJ](#): > > As an FYI, Beggin’ Strips taste just like every vegan bacon I’ve ever tried. Not even CLOSE to tasting like real bacon. How did you find out? Obviously the OP is referring to canned cat food but my kitties eat other things. So no on the mice and the moths but hell yes on the occasional salmon pastrami from Russ and Daughters or the egg drop soup with rice. ---
**Author:** ![K-MAN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/838e76/32.png) [@K-MAN](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K-MAN)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-eat-cat-food/559884/34 "2010-11-10T14:15:06Z")
> **[Walmart.com | Save Money. Live Better](https://www.walmart.com/)** > > Shop Walmart.com today for Every Day Low Prices. Join Walmart+ for unlimited free delivery from your store & free shipping with no order minimum. Start your free 30-day trial now! :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-eat-cat-food/559884/35 "2010-11-10T14:29:03Z")
You have my permission, if not my blessing. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-eat-cat-food/559884/36 "2010-11-10T14:29:36Z")
> [@EvilTOJ](#): > > As an FYI, Beggin’ Strips taste just like every vegan bacon I’ve ever tried. Not even CLOSE to tasting like real bacon. Is your real name [Steve](http://www.thesneeze.com/mt-archives/000070.php)? ---
**Author:** ![Floater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-eat-cat-food/559884/37 "2010-11-10T14:30:27Z")
From **K-MAN** ’s link: “Save money. Live better” and “… share the magic with your best friend” All aspects covered. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![BigBertha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@BigBertha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigBertha)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-eat-cat-food/559884/38 "2010-11-10T18:04:46Z")
> [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](#): > > I used to take a pack of premium most cat food with me backpacking. I figured if I ever got to the point that I was willing to eat it, I’d be damn glad to have it, and that I would not ever eat it prior to that point. > > Never ate it. So…why didn’t you take Spam? ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-eat-cat-food/559884/39 "2010-11-10T18:21:32Z")
Yes, but don’t try to take it while the cat is eating. You might get scratched. ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2010, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-eat-cat-food/559884/40 "2010-11-10T18:57:42Z")
That you eat the wet canned vs. the dry kibble. The wet canned can have all sorts of things in it like lungs, livers, poultry mix byproduct, or whole fish. The thing is, its cooked to perfection at a nice autoclave temperature to kill any microbes in it. The dry stuff; wellll… Its got its corn meal, fish meal, bone meal and other things that are extruded like any other kibble, macaroni or cereal food. But it isn’t very palatable to the critter. What makes it nice and tasty is the melted animal fat they spray all over it. I’m not really confident that the animal fat has been processed enough to kill the bugs. Be that as it may; I’ve eaten both. Their fine, I never got sick and I don’t expect you will either. I was told the processing has to be rigorous enough that when (not if) people eat it, they won’t get sick. I’m not convinced that canned pet food is actually cheaper than canned people food. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-eat-cat-food/559884.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-eat-cat-food/559884.md?page=3)