When the puppy dog eyes come out, it’s hard to avoid giving your pup a bite of your meal. As tempting as it may be, giving your dog human food can be harmful to their health and may even cause behavioral issues. Read on to learn why you should opt for healthy dog treats instead of table scraps.
Some Human Food is Toxic to Dogs
Table food can often contain hidden ingredients that are toxic to your pup. In a lot of cases, this can be as small as a seasoning in your meal or a vegetable that isn’t great for them. When in doubt, it’s best to avoid giving them human food altogether so you don’t risk feeding them something that could potentially cause harm.
Some of the most common toxic foods to avoid are:
- Artificial sweetener (xylitol)
- Grapes and raisins
- Garlic and garlic powder
- Avocados
- Chocolate
- Mushrooms
- Onion and onion powder
- Yeast dough
While chocolate and grapes/raisins are the most toxic to canines, you should still watch out for the other ingredients.
It Can Cause Digestive Issues
While a lot of foods aren’t necessarily toxic to dogs, they can still cause digestive issues or allergic reactions. One major difference between human and canine bodies is that they can’t tolerate as much salt as we can. Over 1.5 grams of salt per 100 grams of food can cause water deprivation or salt poisoning in dogs. This can lead to symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, or even seizures.
To keep your dog’s sodium levels under control, make sure to only feed them between .25 and 1.5 grams per 100 grams of food. However, the good news is that this is very easy to do by not feeding your pup human food. Dog food and treats are specifically designed to contain small amounts of salt so you don’t need to worry about your pooch overdosing on sodium.
It Can Lead to Weight Gain
Toxicity and indigestion aren’t the only issues to worry about—when you feed your dog table scraps, you’re increasing their caloric intake. Since you likely aren’t changing their regular diet or exercise, they’ll probably gain a bit of weight. Remember, a small bite of your hamburger is equivalent to a lot more than that when your 20 lb dog eats it! These small bites will eventually lead to weight gain, which can cause other problems like heart disease, diabetes, and even joint issues later in their life.
It May Make Your Dog a Picky Eater
Once your dog tastes the difference between their everyday dog food and your heavily salted and seasoned food, they’ll likely have a preference for what’s on your plate. While a lot of dogs will still eat their dog food, some may stop eating their food because it doesn’t compare to the salty taste of your meals.
To avoid this issue, simply only feed your dog their food and they’ll be excited every time!
It Can Change Your Dog’s Behavior
Have you ever noticed how dogs who often get fed table scraps are better at begging? Once a dog knows that they can eat the food on your plate, they’ll likely stop whatever they’re doing to look cute while they watch you eat. While you may find it endearing, it can make dinner guests feel uncomfortable. On top of that, since your dog knows they can have a bite off your plate, they might even help themselves to food on the table or counter!
Healthy Alternatives
Instead of table scraps, consider rewarding your dog in other, healthier ways, like:
Praise
Many people think that the only way to practice positive reinforcement is through treats, but there are actually quite a few different options for rewarding your dog for good behavior. Another popular method is using physical praise! This includes petting, hugs, or simply saying “good boy” in an excited voice. You’d be surprised at how quickly your dog learns to associate good behavior with these actions!
Healthy Treats
Instead of giving your dog unhealthy and possibly deadly table scraps, opt for a healthy treat designed specifically for their needs. An awesome daily treat for your pup is PupGrade’s Daily Multivitamin! This tasty chewable is suitable for everyday canine health. The soft chews contain a unique blend that promotes overall health—and they also taste like a meaty treat, so your dog will love them.
Want to lengthen your dog’s lifespan while treating them to delicious food? Cut out the table scraps and start treating them with PupGrade’s Multivitamin! Click here to get your pup’s diet back in check so they can live a long and healthy life.
We've gone ahead and enclosed a 10% OFF Coupon below for you to use in the store - remember, your puppy DESERVES to have the healthiest life! Click here to start shopping!
