You’ve done it. I’ve done it. Everyone has done it. It is hard to resist feeding the poor, begging dog from the table. Dogs have all sorts of tricks to guilt us into giving them a treat, from staring at you with wide eyes to wagging their tail playfully and yipping with excitement. But although feeding the dog may seem harmless, it can lead to some unfortunate long-term consequences.
Dog’s Stomach
I don’t know who needs to be told this, but I will say it anyway: Dogs are different from humans. Dog’s stomachs are not like ours, and dogs do not have the same nutritional requirements as humans. Sure, we can both eat meat and cornmeal, but human food contains additional nutrients which may not jive with your dog’s stomach.
Too much food from the dinner table can cause a dog to become obese. A dog’s tolerance for human food is limited, and human food contains excess calories that can easily show up as fat on your furry little friend. An overweight dog is more likely to suffer from arthritis, poor cardiovascular health, and organ failure. Therefore, it is important to minimize the amount of human food you feed your dog if you want him or her to live a long, healthy life.
Guilt Trip
Sometimes, you might feel compelled to treat a hungry dog like a personal cleanup crew. Unfortunately, some human foods can harm or even poison dogs. For instance, chocolate can cause stomach problems and is toxic for dogs, while the seemingly innocuous grape can potentially kill a dog. Other items like chicken bones and popcorn can lead to choking or may cause problems with your dog’s teeth.
Cutting Down
Cutting down on the amount of food scraps you give your dog can save some time and headache when cleaning up after your dog. Your pet will often leave behind some lovely surprises in the backyard if you are not careful with their diet. Sometimes, these surprises will come in large, smelly and messy packages. A healthy diet will make it easier to walk fido without needing to worry about extensive cleaning duty.
Dog Safe Treats
Some treats are better than others. Baby carrots and even ice cubes make for good dinner time treats for your dog. If you do decide to give your dog something a bit more substantial from the dinner table, make sure it is a small, rare, and relatively healthy treat. Moderation is key. Ask your vet about what sort of treats you should give your pet.
