Rocky is nine weeks old and would rather eat our cats food then his own... His kibbles are bigger than the cat's food, could that be it??

we moved the cat food to the basement so they could escape from the puppy and so he couldn't get at the food.

Now he has mastered stairs and is back to eating the cat food.

Any suggestions??

We try to watch him as much as possible, but we all know what puppies are like... :)

Thanks in advance

Robyn

Dogs are attracted to cat food. Cat food usually has more protein in it than dog food.

We have 2 dogs and 3 cats, so we have a separate "cat room" where we keep the cat food and litter boxes. (Be aware that dogs like to go after that also.) We use standard baby gates to prevent the dogs from going in the room -- the cats usually can jump the gate without problems.

i meant to add that we would use baby gates, but our cats are old and (to be blunt) fat. poor things grew up in an apartment.

should we try a higher protein diet?

The other option is to put the cat food up higher so the puppy can't reach it.

Then when the puppy is bigger, what I've done in the past is get the baby gates that have the plastic mesh in them. I've cut a hole just big enough for the cats to crawl through, but not the dogs. Of course, this doesn't work with puppies since they are probably about the same size as the cats.

off the floor just enough for the cat (fat & all) :p: to squeeze under it. How old is puppy??? He'll quickly be to big to squeeze under, if he's not already...

I have a room designated as the "cat sanctuary" which is sort of roped off.

I screwed a hook into the wall next to the doorframe, at the same height as the doorknob. Then I took a loop of strong string and tied it at a length that limits how wide the door can open when it's around the doorknob and hooked to the wall-hook. It opens enough to let the cats in, but Loki's just a little too big (and getting bigger daily).

With a 9 week old puppy and fat cats it might not work, but it should in a few weeks when he's bigger. Try to avoid upping the protein in puppy's diet too much, I've read in a lot of places that too much protein=growth at too rapid a rate=joint & skeletal problems.

Heather

In my opinion, if the cat's food is in reach of the dog, you'll never make them quite eating it. I don't believe you can teach them not to eat it as Labs are such chow hounds! Sure they may not eat it while in your presence, but once your gone I'm thinking they'd have a tasty snack!

I keep my cat's dish on our bathroom counter. She always has access to her dish, but the dogs can't get at it.

I have some aahhhummmm weight challenged kitties as well and Oliver is forever getting into their kibble. I have learned to have spidy senses and holler when I hear him chowing.....We live with him having a mouth full just about every day......as long as I don't hear him meowing...I guess we're ok!:D

We have changed their feeding schedule to the late evenings before we go to bed and Ollie goes in his crate. That sort of keeps him out of it....it's become the cat's weight loss plan!:rolleyes:

I used a similar method as puppylove. I used a long piece of stick on velcro, one side is stuck to the door and the other is screwed into the wall. Works great now that Cody is bigger. Good luck!

Thanks everyone! :) I knew I loved this board for a reason. :)

Like I said, we will just have to keep a better eye on him. and listen more carefully until he is too big to get at the food..

Thanks again

Robyn