“This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.”
As a responsible and loving dog owner, you always strive to show your dog kindness. That’s why you pat and coddle her, buy her food and toys, and take her for walks. But, your affection to your dog should not extend to the dinner table. “Why?” You ask. Read on to find out.
Human food could make your dog sick
Humans and canines have different body systems. As such, food that is harmless to humans is not necessarily so for dogs.
Some human foods, not all, are toxic to dogs. They may cause bloating, indigestion, allergic reactions, respiratory issues, heart problems, and even death in severe cases.
Raisins and grapes are probably the most toxic human food you can give your dog. There are compounds in these fruits, toxic to dogs, that could lead to kidney failure. Even small amounts of these fruits will make your dog sick.
Other foods that are bad for the health of your dog include: Peaches, Onions, Cheese, Milk, Chocolate, and Caffeine
Another good reason to not feed human food to your dog is salt. Vets recommend limited amounts of salt in a dog’s diet. Remember, human dishes are salty. Salt causes water deprivation or salt poisoning. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, and seizures.
Toxicity is not the only concern when it comes to feeding dogs human food. Think about weight management issues. By sharing your food with your dog, you are increasing its calories intake. That will lead to extra weight since you are not changing its exercise routine. Furthermore, feeding your dog that extra food will increase its appetite.
Human food makes your dog a picky eater
Guess what type of human food you are going to feed your dog? Wait for it…. The delicious kind. You give her delicacies such as fried fish and pieces of bacon. Gradually, she will get used to such food and refuse to take her own pet food.
Human food affects your dog’s behavior
Your dog is intelligent in its own way. She will nudge you to pet her, whine so you can give her food, and bark so you can take her out. Like children, dogs know that if they do action A (back, whine, jump up), the parent will do action B (give food, play).
As mentioned earlier, feeding her human food will make her detest pet food. Eventually, any time she sees you holding a plate of food, she will beg. She might back, whimper, cry, or any other action that will catch your attention in the hopes that you will throw her tidbits. You care for her – so you will give in and end up sharing the food with her.
You may think it is sweet, but you are reinforcing bad behavior. In some situations, such as when you have guests, you won’t want her begging for food, and she will not give a damn. Breaking such behavior is so tricky that you might have to seek the help of a pet behaviorist.
How to feed your dog a healthy diet
It is clear at this point: Your balanced diet is not fit for your dog. So, what should you feed your dog? Vets recommend high-quality dog food.
Dog food is for dogs. So, it has all the dietary supplements your dog requires to live a healthy, long, and happy life.
Note that quality is not the only thing you are looking for in dog food. The choice of food is dependent on other factors such as size, age, and level of activity.
More importantly, look for the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) label. The label proves that the food meets the primary nutritional requirements of dog type indicated on the packaging.
Like with any other product, you get what you pay for. So, if possible, dig a little deeper in your wallet and get your canine premium-quality dog food. Need some help choosing dog food? Check out dog food reviews on pupped.com.
