How many people are aware of the dangers of bones and table scraps?

Question

Many people feel bad that they get to eat these wonderful dinners and their dogs just get to sit there and watch. So, since bones and table scraps are two major concerns during the holidays for our dogs, can anyone tell me why?

Plants are also a big issue since we are coming into the holidays. Other than Holly, which everyone knows by now is the worst danger to dogs, what outher plants should you be careful of?

Please folk, no thumbs down or reporting! I like everyone to have a change to voice their thoughts, regardless of how wrong they are! :-)

Answer 1

1. My dogs don't watch me eat, if they happen to glance over it is not in hopes that they'll be fed. All begging is done on my terms (show dogs). I have dogs, not little people in fur suits.

2. Cooked bones are a major hazard since they shard into sharp pieces.

3. Any type of food that a dog's digestive system is not used to can cause gastric distress (vomiting/diarrhea). A dog that eats scraps on a regular basis is much less likely to become ill than a dog who rarely is fed them.

4. Large amounts of fat (gravy, turkey skin, butter) can be hazardous to dogs by causing pancreatitus... which is life threatening.

5. I don't know much about plants but, Holly is definately dangerous, as is Mistletoe and I believe Poinsettas are an issue also.

Answer 2

This is a great question to ask with the holiday coming up fast. Bones can splinter and cause internal issues for a dog. Table scraps, especially for a dog that is not used to them, can cause issues such as vomiting and diarrhea at the very least.

I don't do live plants in my home at all, I just prefer to be safe about it. I don't really like Holly much anyway, so I don't miss not having it around this time of year. It's so popular as a gift around Christmas, but when dogs are involved, it really can be dangerous. And I never could get a Pointsetta to bloom properly either after the first year.

Answer 3

Cooked bones are dangerous, I wouldn't be worried if they got a little turkey or mashed sweet potatoes even though I'm not a fan of too many table scraps. I don't worry about the plants with my dogs, my cat is the one who nibbles on the poinsettia plants and holly center pieces. I never put scented pine cones low enough for the dogs to get at or too many wrapped Christmas gifts under the tree unless I want them all unwrapped. Another biggy is Christmas ornaments, never low enough for the dogs to eat. Other than those precautions I look forward to safe, happy holidays.

Answer 4

Well, answerers above explained the bone and table scrap issue pretty well-splintering bones, and gastric problems (diarrhea) with table scraps occasionally fed to dogs. Other than Holly, Mistletoe and Poinsettias are a danger for dogs. It's not really a Christmas plant, but Oleander plants are bad for dogs as they are poisonous when ingested.

Answer 5

I don't allow my dogs to beg at home for table scraps. They usually get some goodies when they are at shows. My dogs know that they don't get anything when we eat dinner. For holidays, when we have guests come over, I usually let my dogs stay in the yard, so no one gives them table scraps. Their digestive systems are different from humans. I don't want my dogs to have upset stomachs.
Because my dogs have access of the whole house, we usually don't buy any holiday plants, such as Holly, Poinsettia or Mistletoe. Even the Christmas tree, I use something to block around the tree so they don't get near the tree and drink the tree water.

Answer 6

The bones can splinter in their throats - poultry bones are bad about that. As for table scraps, most holiday cooking includes more fat than we normally eat so as with humans, the cholesterol is bad for the dogs. Also, a lot of the time the food is too greasy for the dogs and will make them sick later. Plus it gets the dogs more in the habit of wanting human food. Human food is fine as long as it is prepared without all the grease for the dogs. I do give mine some of the turkey but take it off the bone.
As for plants, poinsettias are poisonous to dogs. I had a dog eat one and the vet had me to give him peroxide (making him vomit) to get it out of his system.

Answer 7

Pointsetta is also toxic, and I would assume that mistletoe is as well. I also read recently that pine needles are toxic, and you should make sure your pets cannot drink the water from the Christmas tree stand. Ornaments, hooks and lights can also be dangerous, as well as long ribbons that can be ingested. Bones (especially cooked poultry bones) are a serious choking hazard, and splinter when chewed - can potentially cause intestinal perforation. You should also keep a close eye on small toys or parts of toys that can be swallowed, or chewed into sharp fragments. We do treat our dogs at Thanksgiving to some bits of leftover turkey tossed in with their kibble.

Answer 8

There isn't any rule say table scraps is not good for dogs. Where could people buy dry dog food 20-30 years ago. People fed their dog whatever they eat.

I used to feed my dogs table food. They got to eat before we did. All the dogs were long life. And dogs love bones, cook or not. The only problem with table food is : table food will not help to clean the teeth.

Now, I feed my dog dry dog food, not because it is healthier. Because it is easier. In the past, whenever we eat out. We had put extra effort to prepare food for the dogs. Now, just give them dog food. Easy and quick.

Answer 9

Only cooked bones are dangerous as they can splinter. I regularly feed my dogs raw bones, including chicken legs which they eat right up. I do watch them very carefully to make sure they don't gulp too big a mouthful and choke, but I also do that with soft food.

Many table scraps are too high in fat - leftovers usually contain lots of butter, etc. And anything with grains and starches is not good for them. Nothing wrong with some steamed green beans, for example, but why not just give them regular old raw meat? Better for them and they will not learn to beg at the table either.

Answer 10

Raw bones are fine for dogs, it's cooked bones which are dangerous because cooking makes them brittle and the snap off causing hard sharp edges which can damage the dog internally. Cooked veg will do a dog no harm at all, provided they are fed in moderate quantities, especially if a dog isn't used to them. Raw veg is actually more healthy, but nothing wrong in giving cooked veg.
I don't know how some people think dogs were fed before the advent of commercial dog foods. Just like us, dogs do better on a varied diet rather than living on 100% processed food.