There are many questions about dogs and people food. A quick Google search and it’s easy to see we want to make our dogs as happy and satisfied as we are with food. But just as we need to watch our diets to keep from clogging our arteries and creating health issues down the road, so must we watch our dog’s diet.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve merely touched the surface of foods and beverages dogs can consume and foods and beverages dogs should not consume.
This post is going to cover a few extra questions. Again, I’m not a veterinarian. Consult with them first, know your pet, and err on the side of caution if you question anything.
Other Questions about Dogs and People Food
I’ve given my dog beer, chocolate, and potato chips and he’s fine. Aren’t you being too cautious?
Maybe. As parents we are told never to give children under one, aspirin. It can cause Reye’s Syndrome. The warning is due to the number of cases that have transpired over the years. We learn and adjust. Have parents given kids under one year of age aspirin? Yes. Have the kids been fine. Some of them. Same thing for the dogs and the “no” foods and beverages. Some will be fine, others won’t. It also depends on the dog’s breed and size.
Will feeding my dog people food make him a picky eater?
Possibly. If your dog gets enough people food, they may snub their own food. If your dog stops eating their food and follows you around beginning for people food, there’s a good chance you may have been feeding them too many nibbles from your plate.
Pandora used to always eat her breakfast. At one point, she stopped eating breakfast. I assumed she might be a one-meal-a-day dog. First, I took note of how many treats I was giving her while training and the snacks my husband would pass her throughout the day. It was more than I realized. We cut way back and now she’s back to eating her breakfast and dinner. I’d like to say she wasn’t picky, but I’d be wrong. She never turned her nose away from a treat or snack. But she’d ignore her dog-food breakfast. In our case, I’m going to say, yes, we were leading her down the path to pickiness.
What are the signs of alcohol poisoning in dogs?
I’m not an expert, so I’ve quoted from Nicole Cosgrove’s piece My Dog Drank Alcohol! Here’s What to do. On www.hepper.com.
Lack of co-ordination
Drooling and /or vomiting (since alcohol is irritating to the gastrointestinal tract)
Diarrhea
Increased thirst
Bad breath (alcohol smell)
Lethargy (reduced activity/ sleepiness)
Tremors
Weakness and/or collapse
Slow heart rate
Slow breathing
Seizures
My Dog Drank Alcohol! Here’s What to Do (Vet Answers) | Hepper
Can I give my dog the bone from my steak or ribs?
There is a difference between raw and cooked bones. Raw bones are considered safer. Cooked bones splinter too easily, and the points of those splinters can perforate your dog’s intestines.
Here’s a piece that covers many more concerns about dogs and beef bones: My Dog Just Ate a Steak Bone
Can’t I ask my friend or neighbor who is a dog lover what’s best?
I mean, you can. Usually, our friends, neighbors, and family members who have dogs give us great advice. But if the person you ask isn’t a veterinarian, double check with your veterinarian. I have a friend who has had dog’s her whole life. She’s incredibly intelligent, knowledgeable about pets and never hesitates to get her pooch to the vet for any concern. I trust her. However, when she was dog-sitting a larger dog, we had made plans to walk. She mentioned she needed to feed the dogs first.
We take our dogs to a wide-open area, and they run around. I mentioned it wasn’t a good idea to feed the dogs first. After eating, it’s possible for a larger breed of dog’s stomach to roll. It is life threatening. The only reason I knew about this is because it had happened to one of my sister’s dogs.
Even though we all know someone who is highly knowledgeable about dogs, unless they are a veterinarian, always check first with your vet. In most cases, a simple phone call will do. Usually, the front-end staff can answer the question, but if they aren’t sure, they’ll double check and call you back.
Do you have insight on something we should all be aware of with our dogs? Let us know in the comments. Sharing is how we learn.
Next Week: We’ll talk about dog play.
The good, the bad, and the in-between.
