Feeding Fido: The Truth About Table Scraps

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By Mia Bolaris-Forget

Thinking about scrapping the idea of giving your pooch table scraps? Well, according to professionals, Props to you for properly taking care of your pooch.

Experts assert that besides having your pet “disturb” your meals by literally eating out of your lap and the palm of your hand or begging to, feeding Fido table food may be putting his or her physical condition at risk. In fact, much like humans, staying healthy and improving longevity may just be correlated to diet. And, by enabling your furry friend to feast on family foods, you may be upsetting his (or her) nutritional balance, which experts assert is essential for your pet to live a healthier, perhaps longer life.

Yet, they add you don’t have to cut him (or her) off completely. Save scraps as a special treat to be enjoyed only on (special) occasion. And they (the experts) add, that although not recommended, feeding your dog foods (from the table) containing 10% of his (or her) daily food intake is not necessarily detrimental and considered acceptable.

Experts do however caution pet owners about being careful about WHAT they offer as treats, especially since the nutritional needs of dogs tend to be quite complex. They conclude that depending on weight and race, a morsel of meat should pose no problems, but make sure the meat is thoroughly cooked, and sans any bacteria or fat.

Vegetables are another delicious doggie dish, but try to stick to greens such as spinach, broccoli, zucchini, beans, lettuce, etc., which experts recommend mixing in with your dog’s regular meal. And they add that veggies are an especially excellent option for housebound pets that generally don’t get enough exercise.

It’s important however to keep in mind that the fresh foods you feed your dog are typically preservative-free and begin to, with the help of bacteria, proliferate in your “best friend’s” body within an hour or two. With that said, try to curb his (or her) apparently insatiable appetite, by curbing portions, and remember, the best way to keep your pooch around longer, is by refraining from feeding him (or her) your food (too) frequently.

Long Island Home & Lifestyle Articles > Feeding Fido: The Truth About Table Scraps