We all know the struggle of sitting down at the dining table to enjoy our lunch or dinner, then noticing that our furry friends want a taste of our meal. Most of us have heard that one should not feed their dog table scraps, but is there any scientific reasoning behind that or should dogs eat table scraps?
So, can dogs eat table scraps?
No, dogs should not eat our table scraps because our food is often cooked in oil or butter, is seasoned, or it contains ingredients like garlic and onions, which are all toxic to our beloved pooches.
If you want to learn more about why dogs can not eat table scraps and what could happen to them if they consume table scraps, then continue reading this post.
Table of Contents
Can dogs eat table scraps?
No, dogs should not eat table scraps because the majority of our food tends to be toxic to them.
Here is a list of foods that dogs should not consume and why they should not eat them:
- Dogs should not eat garlic and onion because they both contain allium, which is toxic dogs because they tend to damage their red blood cells and sometimes make these cells to burst.
- Dogs should not consume packaged foods and sweets because these tend to have xylitol in them. Xylitol is actually an artificial sweetener that is considered to be one of the most dangerous ingredients for our four-legged best friend.
- Dogs should not eat fried foods or any dishes that are seasoned with salt and other spices. Avoid giving them anything that is cooked in oil or butter.
- Dogs should not be given cooked bones because those tend to splinter, making your dog choke or hurt their throat.
- Do not feed your furry friend raw potatoes, but they can have cooked potatoes as long as they are not oiled, buttered, or seasoned.
- Avoid giving your dog any green tomatoes or any leafy part of it because both are toxic for your pooch. You can give them ripe tomatoes.
- Dogs should not eat any raisins or grapes cause both are toxic for them.
- Avoid giving your pooch Avocados because they contain persin, which is a toxin that dogs should never consume.
Why dogs shouldn’t eat table scraps?
So you have seen that I have listed a bunch of foods that dogs should not consume, but I have not explained the exact reason why for some of them.
When it comes to fatty and oily foods, these types of foods cause dogs to suffer from severe health issues such as pancreatitis, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Other foods, as I have previously explained, contain things that are considered to be toxins for dogs, like onions and garlic, for example.
Another reason why dogs should not be fed table scraps is that they will grow to be dependent on them, and thus begin to refuse to consume their regular dog food.
When your dog gets used to eating dog scraps, they will begin displaying undesirable behaviors whenever there is food on the table, such as begging.
As you can see, from health reasons to behavioral reasons, your dog is better of not eating your table scraps.
What happens to dogs who eat table scraps?
Dogs who eat table scraps might end up developing many health issues. Some of these health issues and causes include the following:
- Being exposed to toxins
- Suffering from pancreatitis
- Suffering from Gastrointestinal upset
- Injuries due to bone splinters
No.1: Being exposed to toxins
If you can remember what I have discussed in the “Why dogs shouldn’t eat table scraps?” section, then you will be able to recall that some of the foods that we regularly consume are actually toxic for our dogs.
Foods like chocolate, raisins, grapes, and onions all contain different compounds that considered to be toxins for dogs.
Rasina and grapes often cause kidney toxicity in dogs.
Xylitol, which is found in some candies and gums, is an artificial sweetener for us, but it is a toxin for our pooches.
Why?
Well, xylitol lowers a dog’s blood sugar very extremely to the point where it might cause them to die.
So, yeah. The majority of these toxins are associated with severe health ramifications in dogs.
No.2: Suffering from pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is a condition where the pancreas becomes inflamed. This occurs in dogs due to their consumption of fatty foods. Sadly, severe cases of pancreatitis tend to be fatal in dogs.
It is important to note that foods that are rich in fat are not the only foods or causes of pancreatitis. However, pancreatitis is believed to be one of the leading causes of pancreatitis in dogs.
The signs that you might notice depend on how severe your dog’s pancreatitis is. Generally speaking, the clinical signs include the following:
- If you notice that your dog is vomiting
- If you see that your dog is experiencing severe abdominal pain
- If your dog has diarrhea
No.3: Suffering from gastrointestinal upset
Here is the thing, not all dogs have a gastrointestinal system (GI) that is capable of handling and digesting new foods properly.
If you are aware of any digestive issues or sensitivities that your dag has experienced in the past, then you should avoid giving them anything new, especially if you are considering to give them human food.
Why?
Well, new foods could potentially disrupt your pooch’s gastrointestinal linings and bacterial flora. This could lead to the inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
Symptoms and issues that your dog might suffer from due to GI upset include the following:
- Your dog has diarrhea.
- Your dog has stomachaches.
- Your dog is vomiting.
- Your dog is Lethargic.
- Your dog has lost their appetite.
If you notice these signs, then take your beloved dog to the veterinarian right away.
No.4: Injuries due to bone splinters
As we have discussed earlier in this post, cooked bones are hazardous to dogs because they tend to splinter.
These splintered pieces can end up injuring the throat, the gums of the teeth, or even the stomach. Sometimes, these splinters end up being embedded in your dog’s intestinal walls or stuck in their small bowel, leaving them in pain and distress.
Other questions related to can dogs eat table scraps
What are some table scraps that I should avoid giving my dog?
- Fried foods
- Foods that are seasoned with salt and other spices
- Packaged foods and sweets.
- Cooked bones
- Raw Potatoes
Can puppies eat human food?
Though it is true that puppies enjoy our food, if they consume human foods a lot, they won’t be able to get all of their nutritional needs. They can have a little bit of our food every here now and then.
That’s it for today’s post. You should now know that generally speaking; dogs should not consume our table scraps because that could negatively impact their health.
There are few things that they could eat, like raw carrots, but that should not be given to them from the table to prevent them from always asking for food whenever someone is eating at the table.
My Sources
- Why You Shouldn’t Let Your Dog Eat Table Scraps?
- THE TRUTH ABOUT TABLE SCRAPS FOR DOGS
- People Food for Puppies
- Why Table Scraps are Bad for Dogs
- Is it ok to let dogs eat table scraps?
