Have you ever been eating at someone’s house and the dog comes up to you and starts staring you down, watching as each piece of food goes into your mouth? Or maybe your own dog just looks at you with those big sad eyes begging for just a little scrap. A lot of people will fall with these tricks and then doggie gets exactly what he wants: table food. And table food is bad.
Most people who feed their dog from the table, or even from their plate, have good intentions. They do it out of love because of course this makes the dog very happy. But feeding your dog from the table can have side effects that will make her very unhappy later on.
Recent statistics show that out of the estimated 77.5 million dogs in the US, 35 million are overweight and 6.7 million are considered clinically obese. That means 45% of our dogs are overweight and 8% are obese! A pudgy pup is funny to look at but there is nothing funny about the health issues that extra weight can lead to. Just like humans, a dog’s body suffers when he is overweight. One of the most common health problems to develop in overweight and obese dogs in diabetes. Diabetes is a condition that has to be closely monitored and managed and becomes a much bigger responsibility for the owner as the dog cannot treat himself. Extra pounds and obesity also put stress on the dog’s bones, joints and ligaments which is a problem in and of itself, but can also lead to more serious conditions like arthritis. Additionally, an overweight dog is prone to digestive issues, decreased liver function, heart disease, increased blood pressure, lowered immune system function and skin problems.
Do you want to be the one causing these problems for your beloved pet? The first step is to talk with your veterinarian to determine that best type of dog food for your furball and the proper amount to feed her each day. And stop feeding her mashed potatoes with gravy and cheeseburgers. There are actually several types of human foods that are not only safe for dogs to eat, but are also healthy. If you google “pupcakes” “pupsicles” or “homemade dog treats” you will find several ways to concoct something yummy for her furbaby that won’t pack on the pounds. I made Ares is a doggie carrot cake for his first birthday last year with yogurt icing and Chaos loved it. Do you like to make pancake breakfasts and think it would fun to include your pup? Stay tuned for a special post on Sunday!
Health problems that can develop in overweight dogs who are table fed is of course a big concern. But an even bigger one is that has more immediate and devastating effects and that is table foods that are toxic to dogs. I mentioned in yesterday’s post how deadly raisins are to dogs but there are many other food humans eat on a daily basis that can lead to severe complications in a dog. If you feed your dog from the table there is the chance that you may give him one of these poisonous foods without realizing it is harmful. Or maybe it accidently got mixed it with something and you didn’t know until it was too late. A dog that is table fed regularly is also more inclined to believe she always have whatever you or anyone else is having. It would be horrifying if you were sitting there with a bowl of M&Ms and your furry princess decided to help herself because she’s used to you sharing whatever is in front of you. While there are many human food that are healthy for dogs or at least aren’t deadly, there are many that dog owners should be educated on. Raisins and chocolate are on the list as well as avocados and bread dough. Click here for a quick look or here for more in depth information.
Behavioral issues are also a less frightening side effect of table feeding the dog. Consistently feeding her from your plate or tossing food under the table will teach her to ask for it. When she begs, she gets food. It’s that simple. Maybe you don’t personally mind, but maybe guests you over do. Or maybe you are among the few that don’t mind the begging nor is it an annoyance to your house guests, but it’s not the only behavioral issue. Feeding your pup from the table does not set boundaries or limitations. As humans, and I am also quite guilty of this, we tend to treat our dogs also like humans. We assume they have the same needs as we and what’s best for us is what is best for them. Although our dogs may be very much family members, they are dogs and they do need to be treated as such. A dog will be very happy and healthy physically and mentally when she is given a proper diet and taught to respect you as the pack leader and take your direction.
Our dogs want to make us happy just as much as we want to make them happy. Just because you don’t share the pot roast on your dinner plate with her doesn’t mean you can’t give her treats. Practicing commands and learning new tricks is mentally stimulating for a dog. It also helps keep your relationship strong while also having the added bonus of being able to reward him for demonstrating his skills. Making your dog work to earn treats is healthy. If you are teaching new command and are using more treats, don’t forget to cut back on her regular feeding amount. There are tons of dog treats options out there and you have to find what your dog likes. Make sure you are aware of any food allergies he might have or anything that may upset his stomach if your has s sensitive tummy like Chaos. We read labels and don’t buy anything with high amounts of wheat. Blue Buffalo has several types of treats both boys love as well as Milo’s Kitchen. A few extra small treats here or there without decreasing their regular food is fine. Just don’t overdo it. Unless it’s his birthday. Then let her eat the cake if she wants to. Hey, it’s once a year.
The quickest way to a dog’s heart may be through his belly but if want to keep that heart healthy, remember what you’re really doing when you feed him from the table. You want to keep your best friend around as long as possible, don't you?
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