What are the SAFE human foods that we can give to our dogs?

Question

I Know that I shouldn't give my table scraps to my dogs,but the truth is the is easier saying than done.I just can NOT resist the way that they stare at me when i'm eating something....I feel that I should share the food with them.They know that if they persist ,I'll give in. I've been giving milk to my 3 dogs and my fosters is that okay?!

Answer 1

All right, you know what I'm going to say. Don't feed table scraps. I'm a vet. I have to say that. Table scraps are so risky. Toxic foods, food allergies, foods that are irritating to the digestive system, etc. Not to mention begging which is a somewhat annoying behavior.

Milk is bad for dogs because they are lactose intolerant. It will give them diarrhea, which incidentally will promote anal gland problems. Chocolate is bad. Anything high in fat is bad. Anything in large amounts is bad because it promotes obesity. Onions, grapes, all kinds of things are bad. Probably stuff we haven't even figured out yet.

If you have to feed something, try raw carrots or celery. Raw vegetables are the least dangerous table scraps because dogs can't really digest uncooked vegetables. It's like rice cakes for us.

Dogs usually beg from the table the first time because they see you there and you aren't paying attention to them, and they want you to stop eating and play with them. They get fed, and that reinforces the behavior. From then on they are begging for food. If they continue to get it, even once in a while, the behavior will continue. In fact, the behavior increases with intermittent rewards because it induces a gambling addiction-like state. You've just made yourself a slot machine instead of an ATM.

Raw meat has bacteria in it. That's why we cook it before we eat it, because that bacteria can cause serious intestinal problems. Not every time. It's like a russian roulette. We prefer not to play that game with ourselves, and it makes no sense to me that that would be just fine to play with your beloved pet. No raw food. Yes wolves eat it, but they're not your pet are they?

Homemade diets are becoming a bit of a fad these days and there are all kinds. It is very difficult to balance pet foods. Pet food companies are still tweaking their formulas every day because they find out new things that they didn't know before about their needs. And they know the most about the subject. Even more than vets. If you're a nutritionist, or are working with one, and there's a special need for the homemade diet, that's one thing, but just to play around with it because it's more "natural" is ridiculous and unsafe. To the person making their own diet 1) the pet food is safe again now. 2) where's the bone meal. An all meat diet is too high in phosphorous and has not enough calcium.

Answer 2

MOST dog breeds are fairly well adapted to the same food you probably already eat. Dog food companies tend to over emphasise the importance of a specific diet, yet have to cover themselves by saying thier dog food is not the only thing a dog should eat. Our dogs have always gotten raw meat scraps, including raw bones from the butcher, no special prepariation needed (you think dogs evolved cooking the rodents they catch infested with parasites??). They have always been complimented on by other dog owners as "how does your dog look so healthy?" and "how does your dog have such a shiny coat?" There is a reason dogs and humans make such good companions. Not only are we bahaviorly compatible, we are dietarily compatible. They eat all the things we have trouble tolerating. We are better adapted to vegetables. Our dogs also get sweet potatoes now and then. Cooked, whole, or partially cooked as a treat. Never raw, only because they make a huge mess with them then. Most dogs like carrots, apples, peas, and potato. Especially with some beef or chicken. Always give them plenty of meat, bones, rawhide, etc. ignore the idiots that say these things will kill your dog. While that may be true for some of these sickly, inbred, shivering, toy breeds that are mean to fit in purses and the like, MOST have absolutely no problem.

Answer 3

Milk? I think that gives dogs diarrhea. As for human food, well, after the big dog food scare about melamine being used to produce it, I decided to make my own dog food...with human food. Boy, does my dog love me now. I usually use ground beef (boiled in water), mixed veggies (from a can), a couple cans of beef gravy, and either small pasta shells or brown rice. Then, I scoop about four huge spoonfuls into zippered freezer bags and I'm set for the week. As for table scraps, I know how difficult it is to ignore their sad, little faces, as they watch you eat, but don't give in. Pretty soon they'll get the message and they'll stop begging at the table. Oh, one more thing, steer away from onions, garlic, or any spices really. They're poison to a dog. Also, NO CHOCOLATE OR GRAPES!

Joyce Marie Taylor

Answer 4

As someone who has been feeding my dogs a raw (B.A.R.F.) diet for some time I would hasten to tell you that with the use of common sense there is nothing wrong with feeding the RIGHT KINDS of table scraps. No cooked bones, no peppers or strong spices, no macadamia nuts and NO ONIONS EVER!!!!* This is not like the old chocolate for dogs argument. I have done extensive research into this question- Internet, magazine articles, books, 3 veterinarians and 2 people who lost their dogs to eating onions (1 on a hamburger and 1 "bloomin' onion" from Chili's restaurant).

Whenever someone says something like, "I would never feed my dog 'people food'." , I can only respond with, "Kung Pao chicken is people food, spaghetti with marinara sauce and peppers is people food. I feed things like raw beef ribs and liver. I don't know what you put on your dinner table but......."
This is all a long winded way of saying do some reading, use some common sense and you'll do fine. Learn to cook for both your family and your dog and you will all eat better and healthier. Good luck.

Answer 5

It's not ok. They make safe milk for dogs that you can find at petco or other pet stores.

Some unsafe foods for dogs are: pork, MILK, chocolate, raisins, onions, nutmeg, tomatos, anything fatty, greasy, grainy, dairy, fish and seedy.

The best safe food would probably be lean skinned chicken breast, that is what my vet told me to feed my senior dog when he refused his dog food.Carrots and bananas are also ok for dogs.

P.S. search "home cooked dog food" on google maybe I found this http://rogcad.com/homecooked/index.htm

Answer 6

Actually, most human food is safe for dogs. A lot of dogs, mine included, are fed a home-cooked natural diet and thrive on it. Foods dogs should never get include grapes, chocolate, rhubarb, seeds from any fruit, avacado, bacon, corn, onions, anything with sugar or very spicy, and no dairy unless you know your dog's are not lactose intolerant.

Answer 7

There are several websites out there that answer this. Some of it depends on the breed. I cook for my Akita and add it to his puppy food (breeders recommend and Vet ok'd) mine gets chicken NO BONES, broccoli and carrots and sometimes spinach and peas and of course Rice. Also, fish and hard boiled eggs a few times a month. Cooked Steak is ok also for the iron it has. No Onions, No Garlic, No Chocolate. oh and NO PORK!!! (it can kill them)

Answer 8

I dont think milk is good for dogs. But really, dogs are kind of like kids. they are going to do what you let them get away with. if it helps, put them in another room and close the door when you are eating. You cant just let them eat human food all the time its not healthy for them unless you put them on a vet approved diet. it has to be enough nutrition for them and i doubt they get nutrition from milk

Answer 9

I would put your dogs in a different room while you eat, I know it is very hard to resist giving them table scraps

Answer 10

well u always seem to lecture me so im going to lecture u

only specially cooked for dog foods like boiled chicken or beef
some raw veggies [carrots, celery]
most dogs are LACTOSE INTOLERANT
meaning diarrhea or throwing up