When dinnertime rolls around, some dogs see this as their cue to start pleading for table scraps. Certain foods that we eat regularly, such as grapes, chocolate, and artificial sweeteners, are toxic to dogs and shouldn’t be fed.
But even if your leftovers are safe for your dog, it doesn’t mean that they meet your dog’s nutritional requirements. Your table scraps aren’t likely to provide much nutrition to your dog, even if they don’t cause direct harm.
As pet parents, you want to make good choices for your dog. And this includes deciding whether to give in to those puppy-dog eyes and pleas for table scraps.
Pros and Cons of Feeding Dog Table Scraps
Toxic ingredients and foods are the main reason not to feed your dog table scraps. However, creating bad habits for your dog, such as begging for food, will happen if you don’t have clear guidelines for why your dog is getting table scraps. For example, feeding your dog healthy table scraps when they are calm and settling rewards good behavior. Overtime, this can result in good behavior in outdoor dining environments.
But keep your dog’s nutritional needs in mind. In fact, a better way to reward your dog may be to keep dog treats with you and feed those instead of human food.
Table scraps shouldn’t take up more than 10% of a dog’s diet
Kibble tends to get a bad rap, but many brands are well-researched and nutritionally balanced to help dogs grow healthily through their life stages. On the other hand, table scraps consist of unappetizing parts of a meal we find, like fat from a steak or skin from a chicken. Unchecked leftovers might also contain ingredients like onion and garlic which can lead to anemia in dogs.
“When dogs eat too much of a fatty diet, it can cause inflammation of the pancreas, a condition called pancreatitis,” says Dr. Amy Attas, VMD of New York-based practice City Pets. “It can be extremely painful, take days to resolve, and not every patient gets better from pancreatitis.” Symptoms of pancreatitis include vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, and diarrhea.
Stop feeding table scraps if you see
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Decreased appetite
- Weight gain
- Obsessive or guarding behavior
What Research Says
A study published in Scientific Reports suggests that a varied diet of table scraps and kibble could result in fewer gastrointestinal issues later in life. Specifically, the researchers looked at whether dogs experienced chronic enteropathy (CE)—an unofficial medical diagnosis. According to the researchers, symptoms of CE include recurrent nausea, vomiting, gas, diarrhea, stomach pain, and/or weight loss lasting for at least three weeks. With decade-long data from more than 7000 Finnish dog owners and their dogs, researchers also found that feeding only home-cooked meals did not decrease the likelihood of GI issues.
A grain of salt
The Finnish study is based on owners’ reports of how frequently they fed their dogs table scraps but not the amount or nutrient profile of the food. In addition, what the researchers referred to as chronic enteropathy “isn’t a medical diagnosis,” says Dr. Attas. “It’s a description of decreased appetite and gastrointestinal problems but doesn’t specifically say what is going on.” This coupled with the use of correlational data means it’s not possible to conclude that processed food causes GI issues in dogs.
Apart from food, GI issues can result from being exposed to parasites or contaminated water or not receiving dewormer medication. If your dog has an upset stomach, your veterinarian will conduct a thorough exam to look for signs of inflammation. For example, they might take a blood sample or administer medication to see if symptoms improve. The point is, there are so many factors that contribute to GI issues beyond your dog’s diet.
Talk to A Vet First
The Finnish study supports previous research showing that non-processed foods can promote healthy bacterial growth and a balanced immune system. But this isn’t a green light to feed your dog table scraps.
Eating leftovers can lead to a “poor diet since people don’t often eat nutritionally balanced diets themselves,” says Dr. Attas. “Feeding your dog, a diet made up of good quality protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals along with adequate exercise can help create a proper microbiome. The microbiome is the entire bacterial contents of the intestinal tract.”
In other words, good nutrition can help protect against GI issues. But human food doesn’t automatically mean your dog is getting good nutrition, even if it’s good for you. According to veterinarians at Tufts, foods that keep your dog healthy are foods that are made with high-quality ingredients and by people who have nutritional expertise. Before changing your dog’s diet, it’s a good idea to consult with your veterinarian or a nutritionist to make sure you’re feeding a balanced and complete diet.