Table Scraps & Tumors in Dogs

Although there are no specific connections between table scraps and tumors in dogs, dogs are more likely to be overweight if they are fed table scraps. Overweight dogs are more likely to develop a wide variety of health problems, including some types of tumors.

  1. Table Scraps and Obesity

    • A study published in 2006 on the "Prevalence and Risk Factors for Obesity in Adult Dogs" states that dogs that consumed table scraps, commercial treats, canned food or homemade food products are more likely to be obese than dogs kept on dry commercial dog food diets. Table scraps have higher levels of fat and sugars than are needed by dogs, which can contribute to weight gain.

    Obesity and Disease

    • According to an article written by Dr. Julie Schell, DVM, obese and overweight animals may develop a large variety of weight-related diseases, including cardiac disease, respiratory problems, digestive disorders, high blood pressure and diabetes. Obesity and high-fat diets also exacerbate the symptoms of Cushing's disease, pancreatitis and liver disease. Overweight dogs are also more likely to develop fatty tumors and mammary gland tumors.

    Cushing's Disease and Tumors

    • Cushing's disease is an overproduction of the hormone cortisol by the adrenal glands. Cushing's disease is usually caused by a tumor in the adrenal gland or on the pituitary gland. Glucocorticoids, like cortisol, alter a dog's metabolism and can cause an increase in fat deposition and redistribution of fat to the belly of the dog. Feeding a dog table scraps, particularly fatty table scraps, can contribute to the weight gains caused by Cushing's disease, exacerbating some of the symptoms associated with the disease.

    Fatty Tumors

    • Fatty tumors, or lipomas, are soft, fatty lumps under a dog's skin. These tumors are most commonly found in older, overweight dogs. Lipomas are generally benign and pose no threat to the health of the dog, but large tumors may be unsightly or inconvenient.

    Mammary Gland Tumors

    • According to an article published in "Environmental Health Perspectives," high-fat diets are implicated in the development of malignant mammary tumors in humans and animals. A high-fat diet may have a similar affect on dogs. Fatty table scraps, such as the fat trimmed from meat, greatly increase the overall fat in a dog's diet.