We get lots of queries on the subject can I feed my dog on leftovers from the table, the simple answer is of course you can.
But, and this is a big but don’t do it, why you ask, you are not doing your pet any favours, we have all been there your dog sat at your feet staring with those goo goo eyes pleading for a bite to eat.
Shoo him away or better still train the dog, teach him to eat his own well balanced dog food do not give him your scraps. Human food is not good for dogs, and if you are having meat I’ll bet it’s the fat you are giving him.
Ask yourself why did I not eat the fat, it may be nice but you know it is bad for you so what makes you think it is doing your pet any good.
Chocolate is a definite no no for a dog, there is a substance in it that will make your dog ill in the worst case it can kill the animal. If you think your dog needs these little treats buy some from the pet shop, at least that way you will not be hurting him.
A dog needs a well balanced diet that is why pet food manufacturers employ scientists and nutritionists, they would not go to this expense if there was no need to.
I am not going to name brands of dog food for you, find out by trial and error what the dog likes. But I like to make a mixture of dry food and tinned meat for my bulldogs, if the mixture feels to dry you can buy a gravy to add this is specially formulated for dogs.
The odd piece of chicken will not hurt the dog but make sure there are no bones in it, do not feed it to your pet from the table.
Not all people like pets so it must be embarrassing for dinner guests if your dog is pawing them and staring with big doleful eyes as if they are starving. Do not feed scraps from the table.
We had a case with an elderly lady who insisted her yorkie would only eat eggs and beans, of course this was wrong she was in the habit of frying herself a breakfast every day. She always left a portion for the dog she had even started cooking extra to feed him thinking the dog was hungry.
Basically she had taught the dog to ignore his own food, its digestive system was ruined and he was massively overweight. He had numerous health problems simply because the animal had associated the ladies cooking with its own meal time. It took us months of working with this lady and her dog before we resolved the problem.
Eventually you will turn your dog into a thief, we have had numerous calls telling us dogs have learnt how to open fridge doors. They will gladly do this, and you can be sure their will be nothing left when they have finished.
Or you have been baking and you have left your produce on top of the worktop, as far as the dog is concerned you feed him human food so it is fair game.
Worst of all if the dog has decided human food is his food and you have started to deprive him of it, he will raid the bins whether inside or outdoors. There is going to be rubbish in these bins that could potentially kill your dog. Do not feed your dog from the table.
If you really feel you have to feed your pets follow these simple rules.
* Infrequently.
* Do not let the dog see you place food in his bowl from your plate, (association).
* The dog will see a relationship between you feeding it human food, and once in this habit the animal will demand it.
You have a considerable investment in your animal, and I don’t just mean money. The love you receive back from your dog is priceless, so it is up to you to ensure the pet has a long and healthy life.
Don’t feed scraps from the table.