Table Scrap Taboo: Is It Okay to Feed Your Dog Table Scraps?

It’s good to share. Who better to share with than an endearing pair of puppy dog eyes?

That may not be a good thing, however. Many pet owners are easily swayed by a dog’s pleading and can end up doing lasting damage to their pup’s health. But that’s not to say that it’s the end of the world.

So here’s some advice from your Sykesville Vet on the table scrap taboo.

We Do We Give Dogs Table Scraps?

We get it, don’t worry. A good boy or girl deserves a reward, and dogs can be very good while doing very little.

But don’t think your dog is innocent. Dogs have begging down to a fine art. They love to project the impression that they’re hungry if it means getting more to eat. That can be a lethal combination with the human need to share.

Feeding your dog table scraps at dinner time is a popular — but not harmless — activity.

What Happens to a Dog Who Eats Table Scraps?

Eating table scraps can have a surprising impact on dogs, which we can break down into the physical and the behavioral.

Physical Effects

Is ham bad for dogs? Are carrots bad for dogs?

Even if you can answer those questions off the top of your head, there are likely many more foods that would leave you stumped. Dogs aren’t the developed omnivores that humans are. Some foods are so bad for dogs that they pose immediate health risks.

Even leaving aside unhealthy foods, feeding your dog from the table also makes it tough to keep track of how much they’re eating. Dogs are bottomless pits by nature — they’ll rarely turn down something edible.

Behavioral Effects

The negative impact of table scraps can also go much deeper. Dogs are nature’s big eaters, and they have a complicated psychological relationship with food. Feeding your dog table scraps could play to their worst instincts, inspiring them to beg, snatch, and even steal food.

It’s not always pleasant to have a dog circling the dinner table like a hungry shark, either, particularly for guests who aren’t comfortable with animals.

Dogs are also quick to develop new habits where food is concerned. Even irregular feedings can cause them to see the dinner table as a place for treats.

Are Table Scraps Ever Okay?

This might all sound a little draconian, and it’s true that some things are fine in moderation. The odd treat from the table likely won’t cause any lasting harm.

But you need to be sure that you monitor how often and under what circumstances your dog receives table scraps. You’ll also need to make sure your dog knows where the boundaries are.

A treat from the table should be just that — a rare treat, and only when you have some dog-friendly food available.

Your Sykesville Vet Tackles the Table Scrap Taboo

This has been your Sykesville vet tackling the table scrap taboo. With some new understanding of the subject, you can make an informed choice about your dog’s physical and behavioral health.

Is your dog in the best health they can be? Take a look at our preventative care services to make certain.