Does feeding a puppy house hold scraps hurt the dog?

Question

I have just gotten a new pit bull puppy and my mom insists that feeding it house hold scraps will not hurt him. I has heard before that this can cause worms. Does anyone know about this or of a site that can prove my point to my mom?

Pardon me, I 'have' heard before that this causes worms. lol

Answer 1

YES - he needs to eat puppy food - that is made for him.
People food will make him fat - and ruin his health.

Maybe I need to eat puppy food!

Answer 2

I can’t say I’ve ever heard of worms coming from table scraps. The worms would have to come from somewhere, and if you dog has them, you defiantly do. More likely that idea comes from dogs getting in to the garbage and eating the table scraps that have been left out and spoiled for a few days.
But there is a larger issue at stake here: Whether or not to feed puppies table scraps?

Ok, quickly, a few credentials: I’ve had dogs all my life (25 years): In that time I have competed in 4H showmanship and obedience for several years, raised 7 Canine Companions for Independence (CCI), 2 Leader Dogs for the Blind and am currently a pre-Vet. Med student. My mother is a champion dog breeder (Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog) and still teaches dog obedience classes.

That said: Feeing dogs table scraps is a bad idea! Here’s why…
First; dogs will learn that the food on your plate is meant for them. They will steal it right out from under your nose, and it won’t matter how much you yell at them. Puppies especially will consider this part of the game of ‘how much can I get away with’.
Secondly; human food is not good for dogs, especially puppies. They, like all babies, have special dietary requirements such as easily digestible foods and more nutrients. Human food is very hard for young animals to digest, so even though they love the flavor, there’s little value in it.
Lastly, as other have already stated, some human foods can be quite harmful: Chocolate, anything gummy, or small enough to choke on, etc. Though left off the list is a serious problem for dogs: Chicken bones. Chicken bones are hollow inside and have thin walls. When an animal crunches in to them, the bones split and crack, forming dozens of sharp, pointy objects that can easily get caught in the throat when swallowed, or do damage to the digestive tract if they are passed.

Please talk your mother in to keeping the food stuffs on her plate and get your new puppy, puppy chow.

Ps. under "sources" I have put a few useful websites about doggie health. There are plenty more, just look up "Dog food" and "table scraps".

Answer 3

Feeding your Pitt bull table scrapes is OK but not for a young puppy. You should wait until it is at least 4-6 months old. No giving a dog of any kind scraps won't give them worms as long as the scraps you give are cooked, raw food is not good for them. You don't want to give your dog to much scraps because it will make it get really fat fast and when a puppy is fed scraps it don't help the grow and mature proper. Dogs need food with plenty of nutrition espally when they are growing. So giving a young pup scraps will only make it get fat and become unhealthy.

Answer 4

Feeding a dog table scraps causes problems in many facets of the dog's life.

Many of the foods that are given to dogs as table scraps contain small amounts of ingredients, whether actual ingredients, or preservatives, that are harmful to dogs. Harmful is a general term, as some household foods can simply not be digested, and other everyday foods are toxic to a dog. Old, moldy, stale food is also generally a bad idea. If it's not being consumed by a human, is it really going to be healthy for a dog?

This may sound a little odd, but household scraps can shorten a dog's life span. Not only do most foods contain small amounts of unhealthy materials, but most household scraps are soft. Soft food may sound appealing to humans, but it is undesirable for a canine. Hard, crunchy food (sinew and bones if you're a wolf) are abrasive to the teeth, which cleans the enamel. Soft food, even in small quantities over time, allows for the buildup of plaque and the erosion of the teeth. Not only do the teeth suffer, but the gums will end up very soft and more susceptible to infection. Once a dog's teeth and gums become compromised, the dog's overall health bgins to decline. As a trainer, I can usually spot a "table scrap" dog by the dark collections of plaque at the base of the teeth. As the owner of a seven year old working dog, I can say that on dry food and crunchy treats, he still has pearly whites and nice pink gums.

Most, if not all table scraps are given freely, thus undermining a dog's sense of servitude. Dogs must serve in their pack. It can be argued until the end of time, but dogs are pack animals, including domestic dogs, and serving the pack is a base physological need. Chumming a dog with excess food is a surefire way to disrupt pack servitude.

Worms are usually not acquired from household scraps. Worms are most often picked up from the ground, where they have been deposited there by an infested animal's feces. Raw and undercooked poultry and pork can also give your pet worms, but it is much less apt to happen.

Answer 5

Feeding a puppy table scraps can cause all kinds of problems. To begin with the pup will not get the nutrition it needs to grow properly. Table scraps do not have the vitamins and nutrients that a puppy or even a full grown dog need. It can lead to intestinal problems. Feeding the dog bones can cause the pup to choke. Certain foods and seasonings are poisonous to puppies and dogs, like onions and garlic.

Answer 6

I have never heard that feeding table scraps to a dog causes worms but not all people foods are good for dogs and too much of a good thing can cause diarrhea or cause a dog not to eat a balanced diet if they get too many "table scraps". Your mom can ask any Vet about that. However, many Vets discourage feeding table scraps to dogs since it often consists of a high fat content and too much fat can cause pancreatitis, diabetes and other ailments in dogs.
As a puppy, their digestive systems are more sensitive anyway, so you may want to establish eating habits in your pup that will meet his or her nutritional requirements and be very sparing and selective with the table scraps.

Answer 7

Well, the dog has came your way because it was meant for you to help her. She very well could had been dropped off, cause of being pregnant; she really needs a lot of nourishment right now, as well as a good friend. I'd call the local spca, but I would not call the pound. I'd smuggle her into the apartment, anyway, until you can get her some help. Then, I'd check with all the Vets, the Rescue orgs, the SPCA, & run an ad in the newspaper, if needed. Your kindness won't go un-rewarded.

Answer 8

As long as your puppy is still eating plenty of his own food to get his heatlhy nutrition, I don't think giving it people food can really hurt as long as it is done in moderation. We have always fed our dogs some table scraps and the youngest dog we have had to put to sleep was over 16 and it wasn't the table scraps that did it. As for the worms, if you are not concerned about getting worms from your food, it is unlikely that your dog would either. My youngest dog seems to get used to any dog treats and refuses to go in her crate when shown the treats as she usually does after a week or so of the same treat. However, we can give her any type of human food, no matter how mundane and she runs right in.

Answer 9

Scraps don't cause worms. Fatty foods are not good for him, nor onions, grapes, raisins, milk, sugar, candy and especially chocolate.

Most foods are fine in small amounts, but a good quality kibble will have the nutrients that he really needs. Tables scraps are healthier than most dog food sold at the grocery store..

Answer 10

it doesn't hurt them one bit. it is a difference of opinion for most. dogs usually get worms from being exposed to feses. my dogs not only get household scraps but the get deer legs and horse hoof clipings and pig feet we live on a farm and we have never had a dog with worms. but we also clean their kenels every day.


Dogs are related to coyotes and wolves and dingos which are all wild and reared on raw meat and usually it is rotten because they are scavengers dogs digestive systems are not as sensitive or delicate as some seem to think.

Chocolate isn't good for them same as any other candy or gum as they all contain formaldihide.

Answer 11

To be honest with you I do not know. But what i do do know is that there's a chance that the dog will get used to eating the household scraps and may not want to eat his regular dog food anymore. Household scraps can make the dog fat and the dog may not be "as healthy,"as when eating dog food.
-Jessica