Do you ever wonder if sharing a tasty morsel from your plate is a treat or a trick for your furry friend? It’s tempting to feed your dog scraps from the table, but choosing the right ones is important. Some foods may harm your pet, while others can be healthy bites they’ll wag their tails for.
Knowing what table scraps are safe can keep your dog happy and healthy. By avoiding harmful foods, you protect your dog’s well-being. At the same time, you can discover table scraps that benefit your pet’s diet.
In this post, you’ll find a helpful look into which human foods are best and worst for your dog. Doing so ensures you’re giving them treats that are safe and nutritious. Let’s look closer at what your dog should avoid and what they can safely enjoy from your meals.
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Top 5 Worst Table Scraps for Your Dog
Feeding your dog certain table scraps can be harmful and lead to serious health issues. It’s essential to know which foods are dangerous for your furry friend. This guide focuses on five types of foods that can cause harm if eaten by dogs. Avoid giving these to keep them safe and healthy.
Chocolate and Caffeinated Products
Chocolate and caffeine contain substances called theobromine and caffeine, which are toxic to dogs. Even small amounts can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, and seizures. Dark chocolate and unsweetened baking chocolate are especially dangerous due to their high theobromine content. It’s best to keep all forms of chocolate and caffeinated products far away from your dog.
Onions and Garlic
Onions and garlic can be poisonous to dogs whether they are raw, cooked, or powdered. These vegetables can damage your dog’s red blood cells, resulting in anemia. Symptoms like weakness, vomiting, or breathing problems may arise if your dog ingests these foods. Foods containing onion or garlic powder, like certain sauces or snacks, should also be avoided.
Grapes and Raisins
Grapes and raisins might look harmless, but they are highly toxic to dogs. Eating even a small amount can lead to kidney failure, which is life-threatening. Symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, and loss of appetite. The exact substance causing the poisoning is unknown, making it especially important to keep these fruits out of reach.
Fatty and Fried Foods
Fatty and fried foods can cause digestive upset and lead to pancreatitis, a serious condition affecting the pancreas. Foods with high fat content, like bacon, sausages, and fried snacks, are particularly risky. Signs of pancreatitis include abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Always opt for leaner and healthier treats for your pup.
Bones and Pit Fragments
Giving your dog bones, especially cooked ones, can be dangerous. Bones can splinter and cause choking, cuts in the mouth, or blockages in the digestive tract. Similarly, fruit pits, like those from peaches or plums, can break splinters and cause severe blockages. It’s crucial to discard these items safely to prevent accidental ingestion.
The 5 Best Table Scraps for Your Dog
Feeding your dog with the right table scraps can add flavor to their diet while keeping them healthy. Here are some options that are safe and nutritious.
Lean Meats
Cooked chicken, turkey, and lean cuts of beef or pork are healthy protein sources. They give your dog energy and help build strong muscles. It’s important to ensure that these meats are cooked and unseasoned. Keep bones and skin away, as they aren’t safe for your dog to eat. By keeping it simple, your dog gets the best nourishment.
Vegetables
Carrots, green beans, peas, and sweet potatoes are great treats. They offer essential vitamins and are low in calories. Cook them without seasoning, and make sure they are plain for your furry friend. Avoid feeding your dog onions, garlic, or other potentially harmful veggies. These safe options are a tasty addition to your dog’s meals.
Fruits
Apples, blueberries, and watermelon are yummy and healthy for your dog. Be sure to remove apple seeds and give watermelon without seeds. Avoid grapes, raisins, and citrus as they can be harmful. These fruits provide vitamins and antioxidants, making a great treat for your dog while adding variety to their diet.
Rice and Pasta
Plain, cooked rice and pasta can provide carbohydrates. These should only be given in small portions, as they can add extra calories. They’re a good option for dogs that need a little extra energy, but it’s important to avoid adding sauces or spices. Simplicity is key, ensuring these carbs aren’t harmful to your pet.
Eggs
Cooked eggs are a wonderful protein source. Scrambled or boiled eggs are a delightful and nutritious treat for your dog. Eggs provide many essential nutrients for maintaining your dog’s health. Make sure eggs are fully cooked to avoid any health risks. A few eggs can add variety and excitement to your dog’s meal routine.
Fish
Cooked fish such as salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients help improve your dog’s coat and skin health. Ensure any fish you give is fully cooked and free from bones to avoid any choking hazards. Fish is a special treat that offers your dog essential nutrients for overall well-being.
The Risks of Feeding Table Scraps to Dogs
Feeding your dog table scraps can seem harmless, but it comes with several risks. Some foods may cause weight gain, and others can be toxic or upset your dog’s digestive system.
Weight Gain and Obesity
When you give your dog too many table scraps, they can easily gain weight. Human foods are often high in calories. This can lead to obesity in dogs, which is a health hazard. Extra weight puts stress on their joints and can cause other health problems like heart disease and diabetes.
List of Common Calorie-Heavy Foods:
- Fatty meats
- Cheese
- Bread
Stick to portion control and balanced meals to help your dog stay fit.
Toxic Foods and Poisoning
Some foods that are safe for humans can be deadly to dogs. Chocolate, onions, and grapes are toxic. Even small amounts of these can cause serious health issues. Chocolate, for example, contains theobromine, which dogs cannot break down. Eating these could lead to vomiting or even kidney failure.
Additionally, Xylitol, a sweetener found in gum, candies, and baked goods, is extremely harmful. Even a small amount can cause a rapid insulin release in dogs, leading to very low blood sugar and liver damage.
Behavioral Issues
Feeding scraps from the table can cause changes in your dog’s behavior. They might start begging every time you sit down to eat. This can become annoying and difficult to manage. Worse, they may begin to refuse their regular dog food in hopes of receiving more exciting treats.
This can lead to training problems since the dog might associate human mealtime with their own treat time. It’s better to set boundaries early on.
Nutritional Imbalances
Your dog needs a balanced diet tailored to their needs. Table scraps can throw off this balance. Dogs require certain nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, which they may not get from human food. A consistent diet of scraps can lead to deficiencies.
For instance, feeding too many carbs and not enough protein or fats can result in muscle problems and a dull coat. Balance is key. It’s best to stick with high-quality dog food that meets all their nutritional needs.
Pancreatitis and Gastrointestinal Problems
Eating fatty foods like bacon or fatty meats can lead to pancreatitis. This condition is painful and involves inflammation of the pancreas.
Signs of pancreatitis include vomiting, diarrhea, and a tender abdomen. Rich foods can upset a dog’s digestive system, leading to gastro problems like diarrhea or constipation. Ensure they eat foods that are easy for them to digest. Opt for lean meats and dog-friendly snacks when you want to offer treats.
My name is Danny Jackson and I’m the CEO and Chief Editor behind Petloverguy.com. After spending a decade working with vets and private clients as an animal behavioral and nutritional specialist I co-founded Pet Lover Guy to help other pet parents learn how to interact with, and make the most of the time that they spend with their adopted and rescued best pet friends.
Working with Ella, our chihuahua rescue, we seek to help all dog and cat lovers have the happiest life possible.
