- This article has been reviewed by a pet health professional. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice.
When dinnertime rolls around, some dogs see this as their cue to start pleading for table scraps.
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.
There are certain foods, such as grapes, chocolate, and artificial sweeteners, that should never be given to your dog. But even if your leftovers are safe, there are behavioural and nutritional reasons not to feed them to your dog.
Does It Hurt to Feed Table Scraps?
Toxic ingredients in your food are the main reason not to feed your dog table scraps. Unchecked leftovers might also contain ingredients like onion and garlic, which can lead to anaemia in dogs.
Feeding your dog table scraps can also create begging behaviour. If you don’t have clear guidelines for why your dog is getting table scraps, they may become a menace whenever you sit at the dinner table.
But feeding your dog healthy table scraps when they are calm and settled could result in good behaviour over time, especially in outdoor dining environments. However, a better way to reward your dog may be to keep dog treats with you instead of human food.
Table scraps may make a fatty diet
“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 diarrhoea.
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.
Stop feeding table scraps if you see
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Decreased appetite
- Weight gain
- Obsessive or guarding behaviour
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, diarrhoea, stomach pain, and/or weight loss lasting for at least three weeks. With decade-long data from more than 7,000 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 describes 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. 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. However, this isn’t a green light to feed your dog table scraps.
Feeding 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 gets 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 ensure you’re feeding a balanced and complete diet.
