My chihuahua and dachshund mix mix eats dry cat food

[daniebelle]

My chihuahua and dachshund mix eats dry cat food.  I keep wondering if it's harming him.  One professional told me it wouldn't.  But then I read on places on the internet that Dogs should under NO circumstances eat dry cat food.

He is about 7 lbs.  Will be 1-year-old at the end of may/first week of june.  We rescued him on Feb. 21.  Since that time we've had him neutered and all his shots done.  He does eat his own dry dog food.  We feed him wet food once a day....when we rescued him he was so skinny you could see every bone in his ribcage and spine.  

When he eats the cat food he only has a few kernels here and there.  But I don't know what to believe on whether it could and/or IS harming him when he sneaks a dry cat kibble or two?  Can some one help me to understand if iI need to make SURE it stops or if it's a not good behavior but basically harmless?

Thanks so much.

[Margot49]

Ok, have to admit I had to chuckle at this thinking you're lucky that is the only *cat* thing they are eating.  LOL!!!!
Seriously, it won't hurt them now and then as long as that isn't their regular diet.  At first, I thought you meant that was their regular food and, yes, it may give them the runs.

[ginger899]

By the way, one side effect has been known, from dogs eating cat food in any quantity, that is diarrhea. It's basically too rich for them.

[ginger899]

Oh a tiny tiny bit of catfood isn't going to hurt him. It isn't exactly toxic for dogs, it is just it often contains taurine which dogs can't really handle in any quantity. A "few kernels of kibble here and there" aren't going to do much harm unless there is any allergy to what the food contains or something.
But I would certainly not feed cat food regularly, or in place of dog food. Cats and dogs have different dietary requirements. They are different species.
Dogs are pretty omniverous and can get away with a tiny bit, but no more than that. I would make sure he can't get to the cat's food dish constantly. (poor kitty, anyway! LOL!)