Little Hector has been giving you the sad puppy eyes. The ones that express that the poor little guy is starving. Don’t give into that face! Giving him table scraps can have some serious and some annoying consequences. There is almost no good reason to give Hector anything from your dinner plate.
Obesity
You’ve probably heard the startling news. Yes, even America’s pets are obese. Our pets get fat in much the same way that we humans do. They eat too much and they don’t get enough exercise. Dog food is specifically formulated to provide dogs with the right balance of fat, protein, carbohydrates, and vitamins and minerals. Their balance is not our balance. Furthermore, the feeding directions on the bag tell you just how many calories Hector needs per day. More than that, and Hector gets fat.
Obesity, in dogs as in humans, can lead to many health problems. More and more dogs are diabetic and require an insulin shot every day. This is just one consequence of getting fat on table scraps. A fat Hector could also develop heart disease and joint problems.
Allergies and Poisons
There are plenty of examples of foods that are perfectly safe for humans, but can cause illness and even death in dogs. Chocolate, garlic, and grapes are just a few. If you must feed Hector human food, do your homework and make sure you are not poisoning him. If he eats too much of a poisonous food, he will feel unwell, vomit, have diarrhea, and possible go into shock and die.
Dogs may also have specific allergies. If Hector has a food allergy and you unwittingly serve him his allergen, you’ll feel pretty bad later when he gets sick.
Pancreatitis
Eating too much fat can be very bad for Hector. In addition to leading to obesity and all the health problems associated with it, a fatty diet could give him pancreatitis. Our modern human diet is high in fat and we suffer the consequences, but only dogs get a swelling in the pancreas from too much fat. If not treated, it can kill your buddy. Signs to watch for are dehydration, lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea.
Bad Behaviors
Health problems will be the least of your worries if you get Hector hooked on table scraps. Behavior problems are sure to follow. If you think his sitting next to you with those sad puppy eyes is cute now, it will become very annoying when it occurs night after night. Hector will come to expect and even demand his tasty table tidbits at every meal. Cute and innocent begging can quickly turn into jumping, reaching, barking for food, and other irritating habits. And don’t think your food will be safe when you are out of the room. Once Hector has a taste for your meal, he will stop at nothing to get it. If you leave food out on the table or kitchen counter, he will find a way to get to it. Once you get him started, you may need a trainer to bring a halt to the madness.
Ok Foods for Hector
All of this doesn’t mean you can never give Hector human food. There are certain foods that are ok for him to eat and if given to him correctly will not create a behavior nightmare. Lean proteins like chicken are ok for Hector to eat. He can also have most vegetables, just be sure to check a poison list first. Be sure that anything you give him is plain, unseasoned, and without added fat. Give Hector your healthful treats when you are not at the dinner table so he does not become a mealtime begger.