Most dog owners have been there: enjoying a nice dinner, you look down and find yourself staring into the desperately pleading eyes of your puppy. His desire is clear. If he could speak, he would likely say, “Please, oh, please can I have just one little bite of chicken?”
As hard as it is to resist those soulful puppy-dog eyes, it’s important to remember that giving in to his begging isn’t always in your puppy’s best interest.
Aside from the fact that feeding your dog from the table reinforces negative behavior (begging), some human food can be harmful to your dog, even in small quantities.
While the simplest and safest solution is to avoid giving your dog any table food, there are some foods that are safe in small amounts. Table food should never make up the majority of your puppy’s diet. Dog food is specially formulated with the nutrients and vitamins that dogs need, making it very difficult to meet your dog’s nutritional needs by feeding him only table scraps. However, as an occasional treat or to break up the monotony of his diet, giving him some of your leftovers is acceptable.
Some owners think that trimming the fat from a roast or other meats makes a perfect treat for their pet. However, fat trimmings should not be given to dogs, as they can lead to pancreatitis. Table scraps of meat should always have the fat trimmed and should never contain any bones.
Don’t Give Your Dog Poultry or Fish Bones
Poultry and fish bones are particularly hazardous, as they are brittle and easy for a dog—especially a small dog—to choke on. Even other bones should be avoided because they can cause damage to the intestines. Additionally, some dogs may have an allergic reaction to the bone marrow, which can lead to severe diarrhea and vomiting.
Many foods pose a danger because they can cause an obstruction in the puppy’s throat or digestive tract. Pits from peaches and plums are one example of such a hazard.
Also to be avoided are chocolate, certain types of nuts, and grapes and raisins—these all contain toxins that can be very dangerous to a puppy.
It may be difficult to resist the urge to treat your puppy with the same foods you enjoy, but it’s important to remember that dogs have a different metabolism than humans.
There are safer ways to treat your puppy than with table scraps. Several companies offer products that can be used like gravy, which you can pour over their food to provide new textures and flavors. Some of these products can even be heated, allowing your puppy to enjoy a warm meal.
If you want to share YOUR dinner with your puppy, trim the fat off a small piece of chicken or beef as an occasional treat. However, to keep your dog in top shape, it’s best to stick to the food that is specifically made to meet his needs.
