Dogs & Table Food: Why to Avoid Feeding Them Scraps

Healthy Ways to Treat Your Dog

The best way to treat your dog is by giving them healthy, high-quality dog treats and factoring them into their daily calorie requirements. That doesn't mean that the foods you eat are totally off-limits to your dog, however. In fact, many human foods are fine for dogs to eat in moderation. Here are some guidelines for giving human food to your dog:

• Avoid processed and prepared foods. Even meals you cook yourself can contain ingredients that could harm your dog, so stick to single-ingredient treats, such as an unsalted egg, a spoonful of natural, salt-free peanut butter or a bite of fruit or unsalted vegetables.
• Consider the calories. Before handing over that snack, consider how many calories it is and let that factor into your decision. Your vet should be able to help you understand the recommended daily calories your dog should be getting, so you can be aware of the impact that a single table scrap will have on your pup's health.
• Educate yourself. Learn which foods are toxic to dogs so that you can make sure you never let your dog near them.
• Don't feed them from the table or your plate. Instead, give your dog a bite of healthy human food the same way you'd give them any other dog treat — as a reward for obedience or for being a good dog. And avoid giving them a treat when they're begging. It can also be a good idea to put them into their regular dog food bowl, so that they understand that they can only get food to eat from their normal bowl.

Importance of Choosing the Best Dog Food

Dogs aren't good at regulating the amount of food that they eat. Many dogs will continue eating until they make themselves sick, so it is important that you oversee their meals and calories. Feeding a complete and balanced dog food optimal for their life stage, size and activity level ensures that they are getting the necessary nutrients they need to be healthy. Despite those big puppy eyes, feeding the right dog food in the right amounts is more than enough to keep them happy and energetic.

So, can dogs eat table food? Dogs will eat — and enjoy — a number of foods, but just because they'll eat it, doesn't mean it's good for them. As an informed pet parent, you can help your dog stay healthy by restricting what you allow your pup to eat. While it might be hard to say no to those big, pleading eyes, remember that it's for their own good. A healthy dog is a happy dog!