This is true.

(and what,

Dogs are omnivorous.

etc., etc.  I was told something about needing more

Dry cat food is not nutritionally sound (don't believe the commercials!),
and often causes kidney damage.

 Our ferals scarfed up Pedigree dog food, to the last trace in the

Probably their tummies were full from all the veggies in there, which are
completely useless to cats. They need more meat.

--
Marina

 I have read and been told that cat food contains an ingredient called
Tourine, which is vital to a cat's eye sight.  Dog food doesn't have
it.  

Margaret

They *can* eat dogfood - and for a feral who has no reliable
source of food it's better than nothing.

But it won't provide them with the best nutrition in the long
term.  Cat's are carnivores, not omnivores.  Dogfood contains
more vegetable/cereal protein than cat food.  The reason for
this is that dogs can digest it, cats can't.  Cereal/vegetable
protein in cat food is merely "bulk" or filler - stops the cat feeling
hungry but doesn't nourish.

A cat fed purely on a diet of dog food would have a shortened lifespan
and could expect to suffer some diseases of dietary deficiency.

Dogs, on the other hand, can happily survive on catfood - in
fact one of the local vets suggests feeding elderly and ailing
dogs on cat food because it is more nourishing for them.

"JHBennett" <Ben.net@mvn.net> had some very interesting things to say
about Can Cats Eat Dog Food?:

I do know that cat food contains a nutrient called "taurine" that is
essential to cats [they go blind or worse without it], but that dogs
don't need, so it's not found in dog food in sufficient quantity for a
cat's needs.

Short answer:  Cats' disgestive tracts are much shorter than dogs.
Hence more efficient at digesting protein, but cannot handle as much
fiber content, and require a more nutritionally "dense" diet.  (A dog,
on the other hand, can get fat very quickly, if you feed it cat food.)
Dog food also does not contain some of the nutrients - like taurine -
that cats require more of, and cannot manufacture for themselves.

Cats need more of some amino acids, like taurine, than dogs.  For example,
taurine deficiency can cause blindness.  Dog kibble doesn't have the
right balance.

I'll spare you all the arguments for and against dry and wet food and leave
it at this:  Dog food does NOT have Taurine which is an essential amino acid
for cats.  Without this, they get severe nutritional deficiency and can go
blind.
'
Kristy