A few owners have requested table scraps to be mixed with their dogs food. Are there some table scraps that are better than others that anyone has experienced?
I've never had a client request that I add table scraps to their dog's food. I do ask if it is alright to give them the veggie or fruit treats that I toss my own dog, little things like cucumbers, green beans, lettuce, carrots, apples and blueberries (which are very healthy). Many dogs don't care for the raw veggies, but I am not accustomed to adding my food to their bowls as an enticement to eat. Some owners have brought along cooked chicken or deli meats (also not good) to add to their dog's dry kibble. Asking a sitter to supplement their dog's food in that manner is really unacceptable. The owner should be providing all food. If it is necessary to add human food for the dog to eat, then the owner should supply it. I've noticed in those cases many dogs just pick out the good stuff and leave the kibble, so I would be very concerned they aren't eating properly.
You've been given lots of idea of foods that can be given to dogs, but if this dog comes to stay with you again, I would ask the owner to supply the human food she would like added. It could be in the form of poached chicken breast or a hamburger/ground beef. Whatever she likes and the dog is accustomed to eating.
Great suggestions! Thanks a million!
Most people food isn't dangerous to dogs, at least in small quantities. But there are a few common people foods that are highly dangerous. This is a great reference to keep handy:
High res: http://animalgeneral.com/wp-content/u...
One thing I would note about the chart, however, is that those common white/brown mushrooms which go by many names (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agaricu...) are absolutely fine for dogs. The risk from mushrooms comes primarily from various other varieties, so if there's any concern it's best to err on the side of caution. At my house, the dogs get nearly all of my fruit and veggie scraps (save the onions, garlic, avocados and grapes, of course). Their favorites are mushrooms, brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, tomato, carrots... well, pretty much all of them except for leafy greens. I'd encourage you to ask the client what scraps they usually add and try to stick as close to their recommendations as you can; a dog who eats a variety of foods on a regular basis is less likely to have GI distress from a little variation in their meals, but it's still a possibility, especially when they're likely to be under stress from the environmental changes.
In this case, I would just ask the owner to elaborate as to what they mean by “table scraps”. Though, a common thing a lot of my co-volunteers and I do is give green beans, yogurt (this can be great for food transitioning or oral medications), or small bits of unseasoned lunch meat with meals or for use as treats. As far as safety goes, my general rule of thumb with people food is this: If you are unsure whether or not it is safe, do not give it.
Another thing to keep in mind is that some dogs may have allergies or special conditions, so you will want to check with the pet owner and ask this if they make this type of request. For example, my cat is allergic to most seafood (salmon especially). Something like this can be easily forgotten by a rushed/stressed pet owner, so it can be crucial for sitters to ask.
I, personally, will withhold treats, people food, or table scraps if I feel a pet is unhealthily overweight/obese. Like with people, being overweight can cause several issues with health / the body, and I’ve seen first-hand how excess weight can affect dogs and cats. If I notice a weight problem and the owner makes a request for extra “special” foods, I will respectively inform them that I am not comfortable with the situation.
I hope this helps. A lot of other comments have some friendly tips too, but I would definitely do your own research so you’re in your comfort zone! Good luck!
Plain meats (no added sauces or spices) like chicken breast or beef mix well will dry kibble. Vegetables (plain, no sauces or seasonings) like sweet potatoes and carrots mix well. Many dogs like peas also, but digestion can be an issue if they're not soft enough. Seasonings especially mean SALT! Don't add any salt or sugar to anything. Tomatoes/onions/garlic are to be avoided - even if the dog really likes the smell (mine loves the smell of garlic). Most dogs like bread, but don't give them any. Basically, think of plain, as close to non-fat meats and veggies to mix with kibble....as long as the dogs are already eating a diet like that, it shouldn't be a problem. Gravy is always tempting to mix with kibble...but don't! You'll regret it for the next day or so!
Thanks Mary! I didn't know how to say about the "regret" that comes after a day or so, but you put it well. I have a little guy coming to stay that the owner requested people food to be mixed in and I don't want to have any of those types of "accidents." Thanks again!
Tomato plants are toxic to dogs (and humans), but the ripened fruit is safe, and even beneficial. http://canigivemydog.com/tomatoes
I keep reading different things about tomatoes that contradict each other, so I avoid feeding my dog any tomato related foods, just to be safe.
You can't always avoid and there may be no need to do so. Many dog foods contain tomato pomace (skin, pulp, and seeds leftover after juicing for other products) because they're a good source of soluable fiber and good antioxidants (lycopene)
Mary - I think that some places just blanket advise against feeding tomatoes because there may be instances where it's more dangerous. In the case of tomatoes, unripened fruit and any part of the plant can be toxic. Rather than qualify the statement, some prefer to just advise against feeding them. Certainly if you're not comfortable making the call on whether or not a food is safe, it's better to just avoid it rather than guess. Personally, I've never worried about it since I'm not preparing green tomatoes, so there's no green tomato scraps to give my dogs in the first place.
" 1. Peanut butter. A favorite treat of many canines. Not only is it a good source of protein, but it also contains heart healthy fats, vitamin B, niacin, and vitamin E. Stuff peanut butter into a Kong to keep your dog busy for hours. Choose raw, unsalted peanut butter.
Cooked chicken. Can be slipped into the bowl along with your dog’s regular food to add a spice and extra protein to its diet. This also makes a good meal replacement if you’re in a pinch and out of dog food.
Cheese. A great treat for a dog as long as she isn’t lactose intolerant, which a small percentage are. Make sure to monitor your dog’s reaction. Opt for low or reduced fat varieties and don’t overfeed, as many cheeses can be high in fat. Cottage cheese is typically a good choice.
Baby carrots. Good for a dog’s teeth, carrots are low calorie and high in fiber and beta carotene/vitamin A.
Yogurt. High in calcium and protein. But make sure to only choose yogurts that do not contain artificial sweeteners or added sugars. Yogurts with active bacteria can act as a probiotic and are good for your dog’s digestive system.
Salmon. A good source of omega 3 fatty acids, which are responsible for keeping your dog’s coat healthy and shiny, as well as supporting your dog’s immune system. Feed your dog cooked salmon, add salmon oil to her food bowl, or slip him some of your unwanted fish skins.
Pumpkin. Good source of fiber as well as beta-carotene/vitamin A. It can help keep the GI tract moving and can aid with digestive issues.
Eggs. Scrambling up an egg for your pup is a great way to give her diet a protein boost. Eggs are also a source of easily digestible riboflavin and selenium, making them a healthy snack.
Green beans.Make a great treat for your dog since they are filling and low in calories. Select beans that have no added salt.
Apple slices. Help to clean residue off a dog’s teeth, which helps to freshen her breath. Apples are a good source of fiber as well as vitamin A and C. Make sure to take out the seeds and the core before feeding to your dog, as these can be choking hazards.
Oatmeal. A great source of soluble fiber, which can be especially beneficial to senior dogs with bowel irregularity issues. It is also a great alternate grain for dogs allergic to wheat. Make sure to cook oatmeal before serving it to your dog. Do not add any sugar or flavor additives."Apples - without seeds or core (apple seeds contain chemical compounds that are poisonous to animals)
Some others: Blueberries Strawberries Watermelon - without seeds Cantaloupe Frozen bananas Green beans Carrots - raw or cooked Sweet potato – cooked, cubed or mashed without butter or seasoning; regular potatoes are also good, but in limited amounts since they are high in sugar...
I've been cooking my dog's food ever since I took her to the vet the first time and my vet encouraged me to try it. And I've found a really simple way to do it!
I start with finding some of the cheaper meets at a grocery store (for me in southern California, I use Von's). I especially like buying the hearts/livers, gizzards, ham hocks (pig's feet) and other unpopular meat items that are >$5. I'll put any and all meats into the crock pot. I'll cut up 1 or 2 sweet potatoes OR add one cup of dry brown rice. After that, I'll chop up 1 or 2 carrots (regular carrots, not baby carrots). I fill it with water until the water is just above all the food in there. Put the crock pot on low for 8 hours.
Oh sometimes I add a little basil or oregano, to give it flavor.
I never give my dog just the homemade food. I supplement it in with her dry kibble. This helps me cut down on costs and also introducing human food, then back to just kibble, then back to human food... it gives her the runs :/
I have had many people feed eggs a lot, all kinds of fruit and vegetables. They need occassional boiled chicen and maybe a cheap steak cut up. My dog is obsessed with carrotts, apples, and oranges...and now bannanas. A few are mildly poisonous if they at 5 pounds of it, like grapes and chocolate to name a few. You get easily find a lit of foods to avoide. Honestly, with the money and effort you would spend, I bed your dog would take to the brand Origin Dog Food very well. Of couse our specialty feed store sells if for about 65 bucks, you'd spend that in real food, and she would get better nutrition from Origin. It is VERY VERY high protein. My trainers told me to only use Eukanuba, but that was just there opinion I guess.
The gal at the top who answered provided a link to a great handout that is now on my refrigerator. I really appreciate knowing that your dog eats apples and oranges. Wow!
Cooked chicken, carrots, certain rices.
I'm curious if other sitters who responded have gotten this request from dog owners a lot. I have literally never gotten this request, so I'm curious what the owners' thoughts are behind this - do they add table scraps to encourage their dog to eat, to give them extra nutrition, or just as an affectionate treat? I would probably figure that out to help guide me in what to add to their meals. For appetite, I would just add low sodium chicken broth or warm water. For nutrition, I'd probably go with some sweet potatoes, eggs, lean low sodium meats, or bananas. For treats, probably some lean meat or small amounts of less lean meats (bacon, ground beef) or cheese, or just actual dog treats.
Bacon isn't good for your dog. Too fatty.
It's not good for people either. And many things people feed dogs aren't good for them, including dog food and dog treats unfortunately. I agree that bacon and other fatty foods aren't the best option for table scraps, which is why if they're used, they should be in small amounts. I'm curious what the owners consider acceptable table scraps.
I haven't had anyone request their dogs get people food, though when I've asked if their dog has any dietary restrictions the common response is that I'm welcome to give their dog whatever my own are getting. Not all of my guests enjoy the veggies, but I'll offer them if the owner has given the go ahead. Unrelated to dog sitting, but I was at my friend's house for dinner last week with our combined four dogs. We just instructed one of the other guests to peel the carrots right onto the floor as the dogs gobbled them up as fast as they fell. They thought they had died and gone to carrot-raining heaven.
This is really interesting - We have had a few dogs now that receive homemade food and have regular table food placed into their food. I'm wondering if this is a Portland thing that is seen as healthy? We always accommodate, but I'm trying to get better educated. Carrots are a favorite!
