How to keep the dog from eating the cat's food?

We are thinking about getting a dog from the shelter in the near future. We also have two cats. I have seen folks put the cat food up higher so the dog cannot get to it but I think that would encourage the cats to get on the counters in which we are currently having moderate success in keeping them off.

Anyone have ideas to accomplish this?

Thanks,

NavDoc

I feed my 4 cats and Jello at the same time. But I make sure the cats get their food first and he is last. For a dog, this means he ranks lowest in the pack. He won't push the cats off their bowls or approach them while they're eating.Then, I take the cats' bowls away the moment they are finished. Jello sometimes loves to check the contents.

I have a specific area in the house where I have the cat tree, as well as the dog and cat bowls. The table I got just for them, and they use the tree to get onto the table. I am including a picture so you can see what I mean. It works really well.

We feed Oreo the cat on one of the dining chairs. We've also taught the dogs the basic command "leave it" (click here for explanation & training) so they know the cat dish is off-limits.

Another suggestion is to build a 'feeding box' - cut a cat-sized hole in a box, and place the cats' food in there, where the dog can't get to it. Or you could feed the cats in a room the dog wouldn't have access too, and install a cat door for the cats, or block the door with a baby gate.

I like the cat tree & table idea too.

Here's another article you might find helpful: Introducing a Dog into a Cat Household

Hope this helps

I have one set of cat food bowls on top of my dryer and another on the second story of my house. The dogs can't reach the top of the dryer and are not allowed upstairs at any time. I like the dryer because it is distinctly different than tables and counters, and it happens to be in one of my bathrooms. You know how cats love to follow you into bathrooms - you can "attend" their meals and take care of business at the same time. I've also put the bowls up on bathroom counters at my last house - we had HUGE counters and plenty of room to share. They like hopping in the bathroom sink anyway so it was a good solution for them.

Did I tell you great job for adopting a dog from a shelter???

Thanks for the info. Of course I am getting a dog from a shelter. Mutts make the best dogs. Besides, I used to work at a city shelter for four years.

I have given my newly adopted cats my second bedroom. Their litter trays and food/water dishes are in the 'cat room.' I installed a cat flap in the door. My dog can only fit his head through the flap. This works very well. I have trained all the cats to come in the room to the command of 'Here, kittykittykitty' by always giving them a soft treat when I call them from that room. That is the ONLY thing I have managed to train them to do. This also offers them a dog-free zone, which the cats need sometimes. They also usually sleep in this room. I know it was already suggested in a previous post, but it is the one thing I was able to figure out that works well for my family (dog,cat,bird,etc.) and I am rather proud of how well it works. Autumn

I wish that was our problem - instead, my kitten likes to try and eat the dog's food. -.-; Our dog snapped in her face today, but she STILL kept trying to get at the dog food, even though she'd just been fed her nightly helping of wet food. *rolls eyes*

we have four dogs and a bunch of cats - we feed our dogs outside and the cats inside.

Cai, for your kitty's safety it's probably best if you confine your cat while you feed your dog, or feed your dog in a crate, where the cat can't get to the dog's food bowl.

Even if your dog is patient and tolerant, there might be one day when he's not in the mood, or is surprised or startled, and might give more than just a warning snap - keep in mind that a dog's version of a 'disciplinary nip' that wouldn't seriously hurt another dog can kill or seriously injure a cat.