Lizards eating cat food is a question that often comes up for pet owners who have both cats and lizards. While it may seem harmless to allow lizards to nibble on leftover cat food, there are some important factors to consider before feeding cat food to lizards. In this article, we’ll explore whether or not lizards can safely eat cat food, look at the nutritional differences between cat food and lizard food, discuss the potential risks, and provide tips for keeping your pets safe if you choose to allow shared feeding.
Can Lizards Eat Cat Food? | Potential Risks | Nutritional Differences |
---|---|---|
In small amounts as an occasional treat | Metabolic bone disease from excess vitamin D | Cat food has too much protein and fat for lizards |
The Quick Answer
The quick answer is that lizards can eat small amounts of cat food as an occasional treat, but it should not make up the main part of their diet. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they need a meat-heavy diet high in protein and fat. Lizards are omnivores and require carefully balanced levels of nutrients like calcium for healthy bone development. Too much protein or vitamin D from cat food can cause health issues for lizards.
Nutritional Differences Between Cat Food and Lizard Food
There are some key differences in the nutritional contents of cat food versus foods specifically made for lizards:
Protein – Cat foods contain very high levels of protein from animal sources, usually 25% or greater. Lizards require much less protein, usually 14-20% for adults. Too much can tax their liver and kidneys.
Fat – Cat foods also contain higher fat levels than lizards need, around 15-20% versus the 4-8% suited for lizards. Excess fat can lead to obesity.
Vitamin D – This is added to cat foods but can cause toxicity in lizards, leading to calcium buildup in soft tissues.
Calcium – Lizards need specialized calcium levels based on their life stage for healthy bones. Cat food is not formulated with their calcium needs in mind.
Metabolic Bone Disease – An imbalance of calcium, vitamin D and phosphorus can cause metabolic bone disease. Cat food’s nutritional contents make this a risk.
So while the occasional nibble likely won’t cause issues, cat food does not have the optimal nutrient balance for lizards when fed regularly or as a staple diet.
Potential Health Risks of Feeding Cat Food to Lizards
There are a few potential health risks to be aware of if feeding your lizard cat food, especially in large amounts or over an extended period of time:
– Metabolic Bone Disease – This causes weak and brittle bones. It occurs when nutrient levels are off. Too much vitamin D is often a culprit.
– Kidney or Liver Disease – The high protein and fat content puts strain on the organs. Can cause long-term damage over time.
– Bladder Stones – These form from the mineral content. Symptoms include difficulty urinating, bloody urine, etc.
– Obesity – Lizards easily become obese on the higher fat levels in cat food. Excess weight causes other problems.
– Nutritional Imbalances – Important vitamins or minerals may be lacking or oversupplied, causing deficiency or toxicity.
Any change in your lizard’s health after eating cat food, such as appetite changes, low energy, or weight issues should prompt a vet visit to check for underlying problems it may have caused.
Tips for Safely Allowing Shared Feeding
If you wish to allow your lizard to nibble your cat’s food on occasion, here are some tips to reduce the risks:
– Feed your lizard first so cat food is a treat, not its main meal.
– Provide a nutritionally complete reptile-specific food and a calcium supplement.
– Limit cat food treats to no more than once a week.
– Monitor your lizard’s weight and health closely for any issues.
– Place cat food up high or separate feedings to control intake.
– Avoid cat foods with added vitamin D and choose low fat varieties.
– Ask your exotic vet about acceptable brands and portions to minimize risks.
– Never feed dry cat food, only small pieces of canned food.
– Crumble up treats so they are bite-sized and can’t choke your lizard.
With proper precautions, occasional nibbling should be fine. But cat food should never become a regular part of any lizard’s diet. Feed high quality reptile food as the staple diet and limit cat food to a sparse treat. Monitor for any adverse effects and discontinue use if health problems arise. Consult your veterinarian for specific guidance about your pet’s nutritional needs.
The Bottom Line
Lizards can sometimes eat small amounts of cat food safely, but only as an infrequent snack. Cat and lizard nutrition differs, so cat food should never comprise the bulk of a lizard’s diet. Too much can cause vitamin toxicities, metabolic bone disease, obesity and organ damage over time. Feed commercial diets made for lizards for optimal nutrition. With a few precautions, though, the occasional cat food treat is generally fine for many pet lizards. As always, consult your exotic vet with any concerns about your particular pet’s health.