Information on Feeding Human Food to Dogs

It can be difficult to turn down Fido's sad eyes while you're preparing dinner. However, feeding human food to dogs can have many negative consequences. While not all people food is bad for dogs, table scraps should usually be avoided. If you are unsure if the diet you are feeding your dog is safe or nutritious, discuss it with your veterinarian to keep your dog happy and healthy.

  1. Dangerous Foods

    • Human food must be given to dogs with extreme caution because many foods are dangerous for dogs. While many of these foods are very healthy for humans to eat, some can be toxic and possibly lethal for dogs. Some examples of these foods include grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, walnuts, chocolate, and caffeine. Sharp bones can puncture organs or cause problems with digestion.

    Weight

    • Feeding your dog too many human foods can lead to obesity in some dogs. This is especially true if you feed table scraps to your dog that are high in fat or carbohydrates. A dog that carries too much extra weight can develop problems with its joints or heart. Commercial dog foods are designed with a dog's dietary needs in mind. While portion control and regular exercise are still necessary, these foods are usually a better fit for a dog's diet.

    Behavior

    • Feeding table scraps can lead to behavioral problems such as begging. If a dog begs for human food and you give in, this only reinforces this bad behavior. It can also make the dog more likely to steal unattended food or try to get food out of the garbage. Feeding human food can also make a dog more picky about what it eats, so it will be less likely to want to eat the dog food you leave out for it.

    Other Problems

    • There are other problems that may arise by feeding people food to your dog. Human food could cause a dog to have stomach problems, such as diarrhea, and even to develop food allergies. An improper diet can cause a dog's coat and skin to become dry. Digestive disorders may result from feeding different types of people food, and the dog may experience bad breath or gas.

    Good Foods

    • Not all human foods are bad for dogs. Some foods, such as carrots, sliced apples, green beans, lean meats, and plain cooked rice, can be fed to most dogs safely and are even good for them. These foods should still be fed with care; discuss your dog's diet with its veterinarian to see how these extras may fit into the diet you are feeding.