General Tips on Feeding Dogs Human Food
Here are some general rules to consider before you let your dog eat any human food.
- The 10% rule: just because certain foods are safe for dogs doesn't mean you should be letting them eat a lot of it. Follow the 10% rule where human food and treats shouldn't consist of more than 10% of a dog's daily calorie intake.
- Introducing new food: whenever you introduce a new food or treat to your dog, you should always test it first by only letting the dog eat a tiny bite-size piece. This will allow you to monitor for allergies and other health complications.
- Offer small pieces: certain foods may pose a choke risk for dogs due to having a hard texture. Always purée, mash, or cut the human food into smaller pieces to reduce the risk of obstructions forming in the dog's gastrointestinal tract.
- Check the product label: always check what ingredients a store-bought food contains before you let your dog eat it. Certain products may contain non-visible ingredients that are toxic to dogs. Xylitol, for example, is toxic to dogs and used in many dessert recipes and products.
- Lactose intolerance: many dogs are lactose intolerant so it's best to not feed them any products that use dairy as an ingredient. Dogs with lactose intolerance that eat dairy-based products may suffer from diarrhea, vomiting, and other digestive symptoms.
- Keep it plain: avoid letting your dog eat food that contains seasoning and additives. Too much salt or sugar, for example, is harmful for dogs.
- Avoid 'empty' calorie food: avoid feeding your dog human foods that are high in calories and low in nutrients, such as plain bread. These foods can lead to weight gains and increase the long-term risk of health problems like heart disease.
- Cooking methods: some vegetables are better-served cooked than raw. We would suggest roasting, baking, or steaming the vegetables before you serve them to your dog. Boiling works as well but nutrients may leak out from the vegetables during the boiling process.
