If you are like many others and don’t eat all that is on your plate at dinner, you may be tempted to slip that last slick of ham under the table for your dog. Those puppy dog eyes, the begging whine and prancing paws all pull at the human’s heart strings and far too often we give in, letting our pets eat unhealthy and potentially dangerous foods. How do you know if those table scrapes are really safe or okay to give your canine companion? There are three key points you should be aware of before tossing your pet anything from your plate.
Dog vs. People Food
Have you ever looked at the ingredient list of your dog’s quality kibble? You will notice that, while many ingredients are recognizable, they are also not something a human would normally eat in the same proportions. This is because a dog needs a higher protein and fat diet in comparison to a human, and they naturally do not eat the cooked meats that we do.
Dog food is formulated in the proper portions for a dog to healthfully live if he is given the correct amount for his size and energy level. That small bite of ham or bacon may seem like something totally insignificant, but it still has calories, proteins, fats and more that may be too much for your dog’s body to process while on his normal diet. Regular little table scrap treats like this build up over time, eventually leading to illnesses such as renal failure, diabetes and more.
Dangerous Ingredients
Many ingredients and spices make up the flavors that keep us coming back to munch or dine on the foods we love. While they may be safe and hold great nutritional value to the omnivorous human, some may also be downright dangerous for your dog to eat. You should be aware of these dangerous or even deadly ingredients, including synthetic sweeteners before allowing your pup to chow down on them.
The flavors of food that humans are drawn to are far different than that of the canine. Most dogs will eat whatever you offer them, but the flavorful additions that we add to our cooked meats and vegetables are a far cry from what is really palatable to dogs. One such additive is salt. Human can tolerate a high salt intake, and our bodies actually crave it. For dogs, though, high salt and fat intake such as ham can lead to acute pancreatitis. This affliction can happen even if you treat your pet “just this once.”
Some spices bring healthful benefits to dogs, such as turmeric, but the amount used and the way in which it is prepared on human meals can cause problems in your dog’s body.
Obesity Epidemic
Once upon a time, it was common to see athletic working dogs at every home. They were either committed to the protection of the flock of the family sheep, keeping the children fed through means of hunting or even guarding the family unit as a whole. Today, the scene of a family with their dog is quite different. The pooch is almost always overweight along with an astounding 52.5% of US dogs that are obese. Obesity is a core cause for concern as other diseases take our pets from us far too soon from diabetes, kidney failure, heart disease and many more problems. Some dogs have to be euthanized due to immobility from the pain in their hips and joints because of the extra weight.
So why are so many dogs in jeopardy with their weight and health? The root of the problem can be linked to the dog’s diet and exercise routine. When too many calories are ingested and not enough burned off, the body creates more fat to hold all of that extra energy.
The next time you decide to give your best canine companion a bite of your sandwich, think twice. His body was not meant to consume human foods and even just one bite could lead to something much worse for him, even if it’s far into the future.