People love , and tend to want to eat whatever they see people enjoying. Some people love to share, and love eating off of their human’s plate. But the bottom line is that you should never give your dog regular (or at least not the kind that people eat)-no matter how much they beg!
contains several ingredients that aren’t good for . Even though can eat all kinds of table scraps given to them by their humans, should never be one of them. If your dog is begging you for a piece of your , offer them something else instead. And if they steal a piece, take it away from them as soon as possible and let them know that taking isn’t okay (it’s better if they learn this way than the harder way, which could end up with a long trip to the vet, or even worse).
Now that we’ve established that normal isn’t , we can go into detail about which are bad for ’ health and why. In this article, we’ll cover all the main reasons why it’s a bad idea for to eat , as well as what might happen if they do eat it. But don’t worry, we’ll also go into a little detail on some dog-friendly alternatives.
What’s In ?
There are a lot of different ingredients that make for . is usually covered in , which is high in and sugar. Both of these in moderate to large quantities are very unhealthy for almost all . can also contain additives like vinegar, which are typically not good for your dog’s digestive system.
usually contains a lot of . Most can’t properly digest the lactose in dairy products, which is found in . Too much dairy can make very sick. You should avoid giving your dog any dairy products, especially if they have stomach or skin problems. Low fat cheeses can be okay if you only give your dog a , but only if you’re sure that your dog can tolerate lactose products.
There are a few that aren’t just tolerable for but might even be a little healthy (like certain unseasoned vegetables, for instance), but many contain too much , fat, and seasoning for your dog to handle. One of the most attractive features of is its wide variety of possible ingredients, but it’s hard to tell which ones are good for your dog and which ones could harm their body.
Most notably, there are many herbs and spices that are often found in and on that can be very harmful (maybe even fatal) to in the right quantity. You should be very careful when around your dog because the aroma will be very tempting to them, and the whining you’ll likely be forced to endure can be either heartbreaking or annoying.
Why Your Dog Wants (Or Why They Think They Do)
You’ve probably noticed that sometimes your dog just stares at the on the counter or in the refrigerator. This likely means that they smell something that they want to eat. have a much better sense of smell than people do, and they can smell things that are very far away.
If you’re not around, your dog may try to get at that’s been left out in the open or even in a closed container. If they see you eating it, they might start to whine and beg relentlessly. They don’t realize that eating even one could result in a serious , or even several health problems at once (especially if there’s more than one to in the , which there very well may be).
Despite this, many people give in to their dog’s whining and throw them a scrap or two, hoping that it will keep them happy and quiet. The truth is, your dog has no idea what they’re getting into when they eat . It might taste good or perhaps satisfy their curiosity, but in the long run it will make them miserable (and in all likelihood, you as well).
Why You Should Never Give Your
There’s a lot of that can have in moderation and even some that’s healthy for them. But isn’t one of them. You should give your dog treats, but only if they’re healthy and won’t hurt them.
When fed to , can cause a variety of health problems including:
Dehydration. The content in is very high, and will dehydrate your dog if you feed them too much of it. A lack of water in their bodies can cause a number of health problems and will make your dog feel very sick.
Weight Gain. is very high in calories and fat. In fact, the average 12-inch contains roughly 2,000 calories or more. And you can’t just leave a exposed to your dog and expect them to only eat a little bit of it.
Diarrhea. contains a lot of lactose, which is a milk sugar. If your dog has lactose intolerance (as many do), they won’t be able to digest the lactose and will have severe stomach and bowel issues.
Other signs that your dog may have consumed include things like lack of energy, unusual odor, or other atypical behavior.
What Else Makes So Unhealthy For ?
The spices in , as well as in things like the toppings or , are mostly if not always unhealthy for . A popular like (such as ) might very well include at least one , even though it may seem harmless to your dog in a . But sometimes they’re even downright toxic. , for example, is very good for us, but it can be toxic for and could even kill them.
, along with onions, contains thiosulfate, which can be extremely harmful to . The more of these foods you feed your dog, the more thiosulfate will accumulate in their body. These foods can cause a wide range of problems for your dog, including but not limited to seizures, liver damage, anemia, and even death.
If you think your dog may have consumed any or all of these ingredients, it’s important to call or visit the vet immediately. Failing to do so can cause serious problems for your beloved pet. Even if they show no immediate symptoms, the symptoms may just be delayed, or your dog may develop a taste for and consume too much later on.
What To Expect If Your Dog Eats
It’s not uncommon for to want to eat things that are bad for them. But if your dog eats something they shouldn’t, there’s a chance they’ll have a noticeable reaction. It’s important to note, however, that sometimes you won’t notice any immediate effects and this can still be very dangerous (which is one reason why it’s important to closely monitor your dog’s diet).
In bad cases of poisoning brought on by consumption, your dog will probably start vomiting within 24 hours or less of eating the . This is largely what causes the aforementioned dehydration if the vomiting is excessive enough.
Whatever happens, it will probably get messy, so be warned. And while you should always take situations like this seriously, there’s still also the chance that your pet will recover within days or possibly even less.
How To React If Your Dog Eats
It’s already been said but it can’t be emphasized enough; you should either be at, on your way to, or at the very least on the phone with the vet’s office if you believe your dog has eaten . At best, they will have an , but at worst they could die (especially from all the spices in that are toxic to most ). Even if they had just a little bit of plain , they can end up very sick.
You should also keep plenty of water nearby, especially if your dog is vomiting a lot. They can easily become dehydrated and they’ll need to flush out their system anyway. Closely monitor your dog and be sure that they know to never eat again, no matter how tempting it may be!
What To Feed Your Dog Instead Of
Although the greatness of can be hard to replicate, thankfully ‘ taste buds aren’t quite as discerning as humans are. So coming up with a recipe that will satisfy your dog and not leave them too sick to function normally isn’t that hard.
One of the best things you can feed your dog is plain old chicken. Put chicken on top of their kibble (if that’s a part of their diet) or serve it plain. The savory taste isn’t exactly the same as but your dog will probably still thank you for it.
You can also make an imitation out of chicken or beef, and maybe some uncooked veggies, placed on top of a plain, thin bread disk (with no fancy additives, spices, or other ingredients to upset your dog’s tummy). It may look strange to you, but your dog can enjoy what looks to them like , and without all the health hazards!
Alternative Options For
If you really want to make your dog a pup-friendly , here’s a recipe that you can use. It’s obviously not actual , but should be convincing enough.
Plain & Dairy-Free For
If you want to keep your dog away from dairy (and no, eggs aren’t a dairy product) you can still make them a that is almost as good as the real thing. All you’ll need is an oven, a pan (normal or deep dish), 2 bowls, a rolling pin, a cutter, nonstick spray (for your pan), a whisk or egg-beater, a clean surface (for kneading), other basic utensils (like a fork for mixing the ingredients), 1 egg, 1 cup of chicken broth (unsalted), 1 teaspoon of basil, 1 teaspoon of oregano, 1 teaspoon of parsley, 1 cup of flour (preferably coconut or rice flour), and any toppings that your dog can have.
Step 1: Prepare your oven and pan. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and spray your pan with the nonstick baking solution.
Step 2: Whisk the dry ingredients together. Place the basil, oregano, parsley, and flour into a bowl and whisk together until they are uniformly mixed.
Step 3: Whisk the egg and broth together. Pour chicken broth into a different bowl (separate from the dry ingredients) and add the egg. Mix them thoroughly using either the whisk or an egg-beater.
Step 4: Form the . Pour the wet ingredients into the center of the dry ingredients carefully, then stir them together until they form a that is ready to knead.
Step 5: Knead the . Turn the onto a floured surface and knead it thoroughly.
Step 6: Roll the . Using your rolling pin, roll the into a flat and smooth disk (so that it resembles a typical ).
Step 7: Prepare for baking. Place the onto your sprayed pan, then add whatever toppings you (or your vet) approve for your dog to eat. These might include certain carefully selected vegetables (like carrots or peas), unseasoned meats, and pre-made dog treats. If your dog can have a little (for a non-non-dairy version), make sure it’s low in fat (like parmesan or mozzarella) and used in moderation!
Step 8: Bake the . Place the in your preheated oven and bake for about half an hour (30 minutes).
Step 9: Cool and serve. Allow the to cool completely, then cut it into small enough slices for your dog, and serve it to them in moderation.
Other Dog Treats That Aren’t (But Are Probably Close Enough)
If you want to give your dog a -like snack but don’t have the time to make something from scratch or don’t have the right ingredients at your disposal that would work for this kind of treat, then here are a few other options.
-Flavored Dog Treats: You can find these at many different pet stores. They come in several flavors and usually are made out of healthy ingredients. Specific products include Exclusively Dog New York Style Dog Treats, Beggin’ Flavor Dog Treats, and Bubba Rose Biscuit Co. Dog Treats.
-Flavored Dog Treats: You can find these at most pet stores. Specific products include Wholesomes Cheezy Bites Dog Treats and PureBites Cheddar Freeze-Dried Dog Treats.
-Flavored Dog Treats: These are very popular with . Pup-Peroni is a best-seller in this category (although they recently had a withdrawal of one of their product lines, which occurred when a lot of companies were experiencing supply chain issues, and it technically wasn’t an official recall). Smokehouse USA Stix are another option.
There are plenty of other options for -like snacks to give to your dog that aren’t listed here. Just look online, at any pet store, or in the pets section of your local grocery store. isn’t only a popular flavor with people’s snacks. love the taste too!
Conclusion
is a very convenient to toss to your dog when they inevitably beg you for it. leftovers aren’t uncommon, and many people like to eat everything except the , which would be happy to eat for them so they aren’t put to waste. And it’s also a great feeling to be able to enjoy one of your favorite foods with your canine friend.
Unfortunately, however, the risks associated with giving your are simply too great to ignore. A little bit of , and maybe even a small dose of , likely won’t immediately kill your best pal. But once you start feeding them things like and , you could be putting your dog’s health in jeopardy.
You don’t necessarily have to just sit and eat your in front of your whining dog, though. You have other options. If you have the time and the culinary talent, try the above recipe for dog-friendly . And if you don’t have the time or patience for that kind of project, just get some -flavored doggie treats (there are plenty of them on the market). The bottom line is that isn’t good for your dog, but you can still fool them into thinking they’re enjoying it with you.
