You probably recognise it as a dog owner: you are eating and your dog looks at you begging if he can have some treats too. Then you give a piece of meat, bread or some vegetables. But is that actually wise? In this blog, we explain the risks of letting your dog eat with you and what ‘human food’ your dog can have.
The biggest risk of giving leftovers is that certain foods are toxic and even deadly to dogs. Some examples of food that you should definitely not give to your dog are:
Has your dog accidentally ingested something toxic anyway? If so, contact your vet immediately.
There is also a risk of digestive problems and nutrient deficiencies. Whereas dog food is specifically tailored to the needs of the canine body, our food is often too salty, sweet or fatty for dogs. When dogs ingest our food, they can suffer from diarrhoea, vomiting and even acute pancreatitis.
Dogs who regularly get leftover food are at greater risk of weight gain. Not only because our food is often too greasy, but also because they often still get their daily portion of dog food. As a result, they get more calories than they need.
By giving begging dogs some leftover food, you teach them that this behaviour is rewarded. They may even start begging from others or decide they can take the food off the table themselves. This can be very annoying for guests and for children, when the dog just takes food from them.
For dogs, it is best when they eat dog food that is tailored to their needs. But of course, as an owner, you want to spoil your dog every now and then. A piece of cucumber, carrot (preferably cooked), apple (without the seeds) or banana once in a while won't hurt. Put this snack in the food bowl, so your dog learns that he is not allowed to eat at the table.
