Monday, July 8, 2013

Can I Give My Dog Table Food?

One of the first questions every new dog owner wants to know is whether they should allow their dogs to eat table food or not. After all, we want the best for our pets, and there is nothing better than a nice, juicy piece of leftover steak or maybe a delicious morsel of cheesecake that you hate to see go to waste. Fido is is sitting right in front of you with those "I haven't had anything to eat in weeks" eyes just melting your heart. How could any self-respecting pet-lover allow their precious baby to go without? It tasted so good to you and you want your dog to experience that wonderful taste too because you love him so much! But wait... Are you really doing your beloved pet a favor by letting him indulge in that rich food... Or are you actually sending him to an early grave?

Dogs love to eat just about anything we do and it can be very tempting to give in to your pet's begging for a special human food treat. But this can lead to all sorts of problems for a dog. Human foods carry many potential hazards for pups that can range from minor illnesses to serious health issues or even death. None of us want that for our pets, do we?

Human foods contain a lot of chemicals and preservatives that can wreak havoc on a dogs organs. Heck, just look at what it does to humans! Also, regular food is much higher in fat content than what is found in pet foods. High fat content can lead to pancreatitis if eaten on a regular basis. Pancreatitis is painful and sure to cause a few extra vet bills for those affected. Also, raw or undercooked pork or dairy products can lead to your pet contracting e-coli or pork worms and cause serious health problems. Even if your dog doesn't contract an illness from human foods, it will definitely feel the effects of abnormal weight gain. Nothing puts weight on a dog faster than a good helping of table scraps and it is also a sure plan for long-term health problems.

Feeding Your Dog Table Food
Sweets, especially chocolates, are also a recipe for pet health disaster. Chocolates and caffeine contain a chemical called methylxanthine which is known to cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and death in dogs. Alcohol is also a big no-no when it comes to canines. Alcoholic beverages can cause abnormal heart rhythms and difficulty walking and slurred barking (just kidding!!!). But it does produce many of the same affects as caffeine. We already know that too much sugar is bad for us, and it is even worse for our pets.

If you really want to pamper your pooch, then give them food that has been specially formulated and processed for their specific health needs. Pet foods are manufactured to meet the requirements our animals need to live a long and healthy life. When you feel the urge to splurge and let your pet have something nice out of the ordinary, there are many doggie treats on the market that will have your puppy salivating in no time and licking you with many thanks. All of our family pets have always been on strict "no table food" diets and have lived extraordinarily long lives. In contrast, my parents love to feed their dogs from the table, despite my pleas otherwise, and they have lost many pets prematurely as a result.

A little scrap here or there may not do much harm to your loving pet, but always practice discipline when giving your dogs human foods. We want our pets to be healthy and comfortable and bring us years of loving companionship. The best way to accomplish this is to make sure they eat healthy and get plenty of exercise. Hey, that goes for us too, right?   

1 comment:

  1. I like the information on this article about Dog Table Food, keep your good work.

    ReplyDelete