What's the difference between cat food and dog food?

Obviously cat food has different nutrients than dog food but if my cats eat dog food and my dog eats cat food, will it harm any of them? Is there really that much difference?

Eating the others food once in a while wont do any harm.Dont encourage it or let them,because as you mentioned their nutritional needs are not the same,A strict diet of cat food for a dog,or vice versa would not be healthy at all,but if your dog ocassionally sneaks a bit of the cats food,you have nothing to worry about.

i used to know an extemley smart dog(seeing eye dog) that would sneek(yes sneek) under the table to get to the catfood.

she loved that catfood. every time she did the owner would yell and she would run. she dog knew it wasnt allowed but still always did. so im assuming that catfood is more meaty(since cats are REAL picky) and dog food is more synthetic and cheaper.

Well, i didnt taste any of these things yet, but i will ask my dog.

just kiddin :)

cats food is more salty and very bad for dogs and puppies.also some cat foods have corn as an ing. and that isnt good for dogs digestive system

The smell?

Cat food is higher in protein and specially formulated for cats. Dog food lacks the nutrients cats need, but provides complete nutrition for dogs. Never try to feed a cat dog food, or vice versa. This is one reason dogs like to eat cat poo, because it is high in protein.

like you said there are different nutreints in cat and dog food. Dogs seem to like cat food better and cats sometimes like dog food better. There is no real harm in them eating the other once in a while. But dogs esp. puppies need certain nutreints as well as cats. this is what the food gives them. My dogs like cat food better and sometimes I let them eat it. If you are having problems with this then a good soulution is to mix the dog and cat food togeather evenly in their dishes. Slowly put less of which ever you dont want them to eat and that will help them get use to what they are suppose to eat.

Are you kidding me??? Dog food tastes completely different than cat food. I would eat cat food all the time if I could get away with it!!! But my owners think that cat food and dog food are specially formulated for our "nutritional needs". They are so boring!! I think I would be fine eating cat food all the time, really!