Can You Feed Your Dog Table Food?

Medically Reviewed By Pet Expert

Dogs are man’s best friend for a reason. They love us unconditionally, follow us everywhere and look at us like we hung the moon.

Dogs are also man’s best dinner guests because they will eat anything that falls on the floor: pizza, tacos, French fries, you name it!

But just because dogs eat anything doesn’t mean you should feed them whatever you want.

Overfeeding your dog’s table scraps can have some pretty severe consequences. When we think of table scraps, we usually picture small chunks of chicken or bits of steak with no skin or bone.

For dogs, these “table scraps” can include any human food that is not part of their regular diet. Some foods are safe for dogs to eat in moderation, and others should never be given to them under any circumstances..

What Happens To A Dog Who Eats Table Scraps?

Well, for starters, your dog will get fat! That’s because table scraps are much higher in calories than dog food and don’t contain any fibre to help regulate digestion.

Fatty foods like pizza and ice cream can be hazardous as they clog the liver and cause liver failure in dogs.

Some foods can be poisonous to dogs, such as grapes, raisins, cherries, avocados, macadamia nuts and cocoa beans.

What Happens To A Dog Who Eats Table Scraps?

Feeding your dog too many table scraps can cause nutritional deficiencies that can lead to long-term health problems.

For example, too much salt can cause hypertension, and too many sugary treats can cause metabolic diseases like diabetes.

Why You Shouldn’t Feed Your Dog Table Scraps?

Dog food has been specially formulated to meet all of your pup’s nutritional needs.

Feeding your dog table scraps can lead to nutritional deficiencies, diet-related health problems, and weight gain.

Why You Shouldn't Feed Your Dog Table Scraps?

One study found that some dogs fed table scraps were also more likely to develop food allergies than those fed commercial dog food.

Table scraps may also contain ingredients that can be harmful to your dogs, such as onion, garlic, raisins and grapes, chocolate, or peanuts.

Dogs can also choke on large pieces of food, especially if they eat table scraps served on a fork! Dogs fed table scraps are also likely to beg for food from other people and may even try to steal food from their human companions.

This can lead to conflict in your home and even cause behavioural problems in your dog.

The Dangers Of Too Many Table Scraps

The dangers of dogs to eat ↗ too many table scraps are many and varied.

Your dog may gain too much weight and be at risk for health issues such as diabetes, joint problems, and heart disease.

If your dog is fed too many table scraps, his nutritional intake will not be balanced correctly, leading to deficiencies in essential minerals such as calcium and phosphorous.

The Dangers Of Too Many Table Scraps

Table scraps, such as chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, and macadamia nuts, can also be toxic to dogs. Too many table scraps can also lead to digestive issues, causing diarrhea and constipation.

1

Pizza and Other Processed Foods

Table scraps can mean many different things, but pizza is one of the most dangerous foods to feed your dog.

Pizza is very high in salt and fat, both very unhealthy for dogs. Pizza is also a very processed food and thus not nutritious for your dog.

Pizza and Other Processed Foods

Feeding your dog too many processed foods can cause poor digestion and weight gain. Other unhealthy processed foods you shouldn’t feed your dog include potato chips, cakes, donuts, and biscuits.

2

Dairy Products

Many people feed their dog’s cheese or other dairy products, but this is not a good idea. Dogs are lactose intolerant so dairy products can cause digestive problems in your dog.

Dogs also have very different nutritional needs from humans, so many human foods are not suitable for dogs.

Dairy Products

The best way to find out if you can feed your dog a particular food is to look up its nutritional value. You can do this using an online calculator such as the one on the ASPCA’s website.

3

Fatty Foods

While many dogs love table scraps such as fries, bacon, and burgers, these are very high in fat and unsuitable for your dog.

Dogs also cannot properly metabolize fat, which can build up in the liver and lead to disease. Feeding your dog too many fatty foods can lead to weight gain, pancreatitis, and even heart disease.

Fatty Foods

Some fatty foods, especially undercooked ones, can also be dangerous for your dog. For example, some dogs may like the flavour of cooked pork fat, but it contains a substance called trichinella, which can cause heartworm in dogs.

Tips For Knowing What’s Safe To Feed Your Dog

If you want to feed your dog some table scraps from time to time, there are some guidelines you can follow to ensure you’re feeding your dog healthy table scraps.

First, you should never give your dog bones or fatty foods.

Tips For Knowing What's Safe To Feed Your Dog

Second, you should only feed your dog small amounts of healthy food. Feeding your dog table scraps every day will add a lot of extra calories to your dog’s diet, which can lead to weight gain.

Third, you should only feed your dog one or two table scraps per day and only feed them once or twice a week at most.

Why Is It Wrong To Give Your Dog Food Scraps/people Food?

Dogs are carnivores, so they should eat a primarily meat-based diet. If you are feeding your dog people food, you are likely feeding them too many carbohydrates, like pasta or rice, and not enough protein.

Dogs also have very different nutritional needs than humans. So, while it is nice to feed your dog table scraps, it is essential to make sure you choose healthy foods, not just whatever happens to be left on your plate.

The healthiest diet for your dog is balanced commercial dog food. While it is tempting to feed your dog scraps of food you don’t want, this is usually not good for them.

Some foods are ok to give your dog, but most table scraps are not nutritious enough to be a regular part of your dog’s diet.

If you want to give your dog table scraps, ensure they are healthy foods that are not high in sugar or fat.

FAQS

Is it OK to feed a dog table scraps?

The answer to this question depends on several factors, including the type of table scraps in question and the dog’s health. In general, however, it is not considered ideal to feed a dog table scraps regularly. This is because table scraps are often not nutritionally balanced for dogs and can lead to weight gain. If you choose to feed your dog table scraps, it is essential to do so in moderation and to ensure that the scraps are healthy, not fatty or sugary.

Should you feed your dog from the table?

No, it would help if you did not feed your dog from the table. Dogs are scavengers by nature and will beg for food, even if they’re not hungry. If you give in and feed your dog from the table, they will learn to beg and will become a nuisance. Additionally, table scraps are often unhealthy for dogs and can lead to weight gain and other problems. It’s best to feed your dog their food in their bowl.

Amy Brown
Amy E. Brown is a licensed psychotherapist (serving and author of three self-help books. She’s also a dog rescuer in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. Her life-long love of literature and writing developed from her passion for author Jackie Collins novels. She discovered at the age of 12 that she wanted to become a published author. She is a Quora contributor who writes about mental health and addiction issues in both the United States and throughout the world. She is the owner and founder of Blamberg & Associates LLC, which is a private practice specializing in psychological and addiction issues. She has been working with physically and emotionally scarred people for over 30 years.