Horses and dogs are both common pets that many people keep on farms or ranches. Since they often live in close proximity and eat similar types of feed, a natural question arises - can horses eat dog food?
The short answer is yes, horses can eat and digest dog food without any major issues. However, there are some important considerations to keep in mind before feeding dog food to horses. In this blog post, we’ll take a detailed look at the nutritional profile of dog food versus horse feed, the pros and cons of giving dog food to horses, and some best practices for doing so safely.
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| Can Horse eat Dog Food |
The Nutritional Makeup of Dog Food vs. Horse Feed
To understand whether it’s appropriate to feed a horse dog food, we first need to break down the nutritional composition of both dog food and horse feed.
The main components of any animal feed are:
- Protein - Provides amino acids that are essential for building and repairing muscles and tissues.
- Fats and oils - Provide concentrated energy.
- Fibers - Provide roughage that aids digestion.
- Carbohydrates - Primary source of energy.
- Vitamins and minerals - Required in trace amounts for metabolic functions.
Dog foods and horse feeds contain all of these basic components, but the proportions vary significantly. On average, dry dog foods contain:
- Protein: 25-30%
- Fats/oils: 8-15%
- Fiber: 3-4%
- Carbs: 45-60%
A typical sweet horse feed mix contains:
- Protein: 12-14%
- Fats/oils: 4-6%
- Fiber: 15-25%
- Carbs: 45-60%
As you can see, dog food tends to be very high in protein and fat compared to horse feed. The fiber content is much lower as well.
Horse feed, on the other hand, contains a large portion of roughages like bran, alfalfa or timothy hay. This provides more bulk and fiber to promote good digestion in horses.
The vitamin and mineral content of dog and horse feeds can also differ, but are generally designed to meet the respective species' nutritional requirements.
Pros of Feeding Dog Food to Horses
Given the high protein and fat content, feeding a horse dog food once in awhile is unlikely to cause any serious problems. Here are some potential benefits:
Convenient: In a pinch, dog food can be an easy alternative if you run out of horse feed. Most farms have dog food on hand.
Provides extra energy: The extra protein and fat can help maintain a horse's body condition and provide more energy for activities like racing or ranch work.
Adds variety: Dog food can add some variety into a horse's diet. The different shapes and textures can make eating more interesting.
Supports lean growth in young horses: Puppy food is extremely high in protein and supports rapid growth. Feeding some to foals or yearlings may provide additional nutritional support.
Helps underweight horses: The extra calories and protein in dog food can help put weight on under-conditioned or rescue horses that need more energy.
May aid digestion: Some find that feeding small amounts of dog food helps firm up manure in horses prone to diarrhea. The lower fiber and more digestible protein may assist digestion.
So feeding dog food to horses once in a while, such as when trail riding or out of convenience, likely won't do any harm and may provide some benefits. However, daily feeding is not recommended.
Cons of Feeding Dog Food to Horses
While the occasional bowl of dog food won't harm a horse, there are some downsides to feeding it regularly or as a staple diet:
Too much protein and fat: Excessive protein and fat long-term can put unnecessary strain on a horse's liver and kidneys. Their systems are designed to process the lower protein levels in grasses and hays.
Not enough roughage: Dog food does not provide enough fiber and roughage for proper digestive health. Horses need a large amount of roughage daily to maintain gut motility.
Nutrient imbalances: Dog food is not formulated with the vitamin and mineral balance ideal for equine nutrition. Long-term imbalance could result in deficiencies.
Higher calories: The extra calories from fat and protein lead to obesity in inactive horses. Obesity negatively impacts joint health and exercise ability.
Richer profile leads to GI upset: Sudden large servings of dog food may cause colic, diarrhea or loose stools due to the very rich nutritional profile.
Poor hooves and coat: Lack of adequate nutrients like biotin, methionine and omega-3s may result in poor hoof and hair coat quality over time.
Increased excitability: Some find horses become more hyper and excitable when fed dog food regularly, likely due to sugar content.
Poor feed conversion: Horses need a high fiber diet to promote good gut flora. Dog food is more efficiently digested, resulting in less usable energy.
Dog food should not become a major component of a horse's diet. To maintain good health, the majority of their diet should come from hay, pasture, grains and balanced concentrates formulated specifically for equine needs. Dog food should only be an occasional treat or supplemental feed.
Best Practices For Feeding Dog Food to Horses
If you do wish to add some dog food into your horse's menu from time to time, follow these tips to do so safely:
Limit to no more than 20% of total feed ration: Ensure the bulk of the diet is quality hay and concentrates designed for horses.
Select a high-quality dog food: Look for quality brands like Purina with quality ingredients - real meats, digestible carbs like rice or barley, and added vitamins/minerals. Avoid artificial additives.
Stick to dry kibble: Canned dog foods are too soft and rich. Kibble provides something for horses to chew. Avoid adding oils, gravies or other liquids.
Transition slowly: Introduce a small amount mixed in with regular feed and gradually increase serving size over 2-3 weeks. This gives their digestive system time to adjust.
Avoid feeding puppy food long-term: Puppy food is even higher in protein/fat than adult dog food. Reserve for periodic feeding to young, growing horses only.
Feed small, frequent meals: Divide daily rations into 2-3 smaller meals spread throughout the day. This prevents gorging.
Don't allow excessive intake: Feeding free-choice dog food can lead to overconsumption. Weigh rations and feed in buckets to control intake.
Check manure consistency: Stools should not become abnormally loose or liquidy. Reduce quantities if necessary.
Do not feed dog treats or jerky: Most treats and meat-based dog snacks are far too rich. They provide no nutritional balance.
With some prudence and moderation, incorporating dog food into a horse's diet once in awhile can be done without negatively impacting their health. But proper horse feed should always form the foundation of their nutritional program. Monitor your horse closely and be ready to reduce or eliminate dog food if any adverse effects are observed. While sharing food between the barn dogs and horses may seem convenient, your horse's health should come first.
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| Can Horse eat Dog Food |
Frequently Ask Questions
Can I feed a dog food made for older dogs to my senior horse?
It's generally not recommended to feed any dog food formulated for a specific life stage to horses. Senior dog foods tend to be lower in protein but still higher than what is ideal for horses. They also contain added glucosamine, chondroitin, omega-3s and antioxidants that may be in inappropriate levels for a horse's needs. You're better off choosing a high quality, specially balanced senior horse feed.
Are there any veterinary concerns with feeding dog food to horses?
There are no major diseases or pathogens that can be directly transmitted between dogs and horses through food. However, dramatically altering a horse's diet, such as by replacing their normal feed with dog food, could potentially disrupt the populations of beneficial bacteria in the gut, making them more susceptible to illnesses like colic. It's best to limit dog food to occasional supplemental feeding only._
Why can horses eat dog food but not vice versa?
Horses are hindgut fermenters with a more complex and adaptable digestive system. They are able to process and extract nutrients from fibrous, plant-based material that a dog cannot. The canine gastrointestinal tract is simpler and more suited to digesting animal products and grain-based feeds. Dog food does not provide the roughage a horse requires, so feeding it exclusively can harm their digestion and health.
Can I use dog food to help a horse that needs to gain weight?
While the higher fat and calorie content of dog food can help put weight on a thin or emaciated horse, it should not be the first choice. A specifically formulated senior or high fat horse feed will provide balanced nutrition. Uncontrolled dog food intake risks overfeeding protein and fat. Work closely with your veterinarian to determine the amount and type of feed best suited to help your horse gain a healthy weight._
Are there any dog foods I should avoid feeding to horses?
As a general rule, avoid any dog food with artificial flavors, colors or preservatives, or anonymous ingredients like "meat by-products". Also steer clear of boutique, exotic protein based foods, like bison or venison formulas. These are not necessarily harmful, but have an unnecessary nutritional profile. For supplemental feeding, stick to a name brand, high quality chicken, beef, lamb or fish-based adult dog food.
Feeding Dog Food to Horses Long-Term
While giving the occasional meal of dog food to horses generally won't cause harm, feeding it as a major component of the diet long-term can negatively impact their health. Here's a more in-depth look at the potential issues with feeding dog food to horses for months or years at a time:
Excess Protein
The protein levels in most dog foods are too high for horses when fed continually. Horses' protein requirements are 8-12% for adult maintenance. Dog foods often supply 25-30% protein. When protein intake regularly exceeds requirements, the excess gets metabolized and excreted through the kidneys. Over time this puts continual strain on kidney function.
Excess Fat
Fat provides the majority of usable calories in dog food. But horses are designed to digest plant-based fibers, not high-fat meat products. Excess fat consumption in horses has been linked to increased inflammation and oxidative stress. Over the long term, obesity, insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease can occur.
Nutrient Imbalances
Dog food companies don't employ equine nutritionists. Their products are formulated to the requirements of dogs at various life stages. The vitamin and mineral balance and types/amounts of amino acids won't match the requirements of horses. Deficiencies, toxicities, poor bone/hoof health and metabolic disruption could result.
Higher Calorie Content
With increased fat and protein comes increased calories. The average cup of dog food supplies over 100 calories more than sweet feeds designed for horses. Easy keepers and inactive horses will become obese on dog food, putting them at risk of laminitis and metabolic disorders. Calorie intakes need careful management.
Poor Hooves
Dog food provides insufficient amounts of nutrients like biotin, methionine and proline that are essential for strong hooves. Biotin deficiency in particular is strongly correlated with chronically cracked, brittle hooves. Providing balanced nutrition promotes healthy hooves better than dog food.
GI Upset
Dog food's rich nutritional profile is a drastic change from a horse's natural high-fiber diet. While they can adapt to dog food to some degree, long-term consumption often results in loose manure, decreased gut motility, ulcers and general maldigestion. Serious cases of enteritis or colic may occur.
Increased Stress/Anxiety
Some horses appear to become more hyperactive, stressed or anxious when fed dog food regularly, likely due to the sugar content. Nervous or high-strung horses in particular may exhibit worsening behaviors or stall vices over time on dog food diets.
Clearly, while the occasional bowl of dog food is fine, it should not become a major part of your horse's diet. For optimal health and condition, feed quality hay always, supplement with fortified concentrates formulated specifically for horses, and limit dog food to infrequent small servings. Consult an equine nutritionist if you need help balancing your particular horse's nutritional needs. Proper nutrition promotes good health as well as athletic performance and longevity.
Alternatives to Feeding Dog Food
Rather than regularly feeding dog food, there are some better alternatives for adding weight and condition or providing complete nutrition to your horse:
High Fat Horse Feeds
Many feed companies now offer horse feed concentrates designed specifically for weight gain. These contain 12-15% fat from vegetable sources like rice bran or flaxseed, versus only 4-8% in typical feeds. The fat helps put on healthy weight. These feeds still provide balanced vitamins and minerals.
Rice Bran or Vegetable Oil
For horses that need extra calories, simply adding some rice bran or vegetable oil to their normal grain ration is safer than switching to dog food. You can better control the amounts to avoid obesity. Rice bran also provides antioxidants. Always make dietary adjustments slowly.
Complete Senior Feeds
Instead of an adult dog food, opt for a high-quality, comprehensive senior horse feed. These contain 12-14% protein, extra vitamins, probiotics, prebiotics, and anti-inflammatory ingredients. They are perfectly balanced for older horses' needs.
Beet Pulp
For extra digestible fiber and carbohydrates without excess protein, try adding some soaked beet pulp to the horse's feed or mixing their supplements into beet pulp. The soluble fiber provides calories without excess sugars. It's very palatable.
Alfalfa Hay or Cubes
To put weight on a horse, provide free-choice, high quality alfalfa hay in addition to grass hay. Alfalfa is energy dense, high in protein, and encourages intake. Alfalfa cubes can also be fed. Always make forage changes slowly.
Ration Balancers
If you feed a lot of hay, a vitamin/mineral ration balancer can fill in nutritional gaps without providing unnecessary calories. Top dress onto forage or add to a small amount of low energy feed.
With some creativity and guidance from your veterinarian or equine nutritionist, you can meet your horse’s individual nutritional needs without resorting to inappropriate amounts of dog food. Focus on quality hay, add condition-specific supplements or feeds, and monitor your horse’s health. Avoid fad diets or nutritional excesses. Your horse will thank you!
Summary
In summary, while giving your horse the odd meal of dog food probably won't hurt them, it should not become a significant part of their diet long-term. Dog food contains far higher levels of fat, protein and calories compared to a horse's natural diet and balanced commercial feeds. Feeding excessive dog food can lead to obesity, nutritional imbalances, GI upset, and other health issues over time.
Before offering your horse any people food, dog food, or unconventional feeds, consult your veterinarian and equine nutritionist. They can advise you on your particular horse's condition and any deficiencies that need addressing. In most cases, the best feeding program for a horse focuses on free-choice hay, minimal but balanced grain or concentrates, and plenty of fresh water. With sound nutrition principles, your horse will thrive.