In this article...
1. Introduction
1.1 A Comprehensive Guide
1.2 People Food – is it Really Bad for Your Dog and Cat?
1.3 Pet Food – is it Really Good for Dogs and Cats?
1.4 Foods that are Normally Safe Can Become Dangerous if…
2. Foods to Avoid - Dangerous, Lethal or require Caution
3. Foods that are Beneficial
4. If You Think Your Dog or Cat has Been Poisoned – What to Do
1.0 Introduction
1.1 A Comprehensive Guide
The foods covered in this article include:
- ‘People’ Foods
- Whole foods;
- Processed foods;
- Additives, and;
- Pet Foods, Pet Treats
- Whole Foods;
- Processed Foods;
- Ingredients;
- Hidden ingredients;
- Additives.
1.2 People Food – is it Really Bad for Your Dog and Cat?
‘People’ food is a term that many people use – veterinarians included. A lot of people are under the impression that people food is bad for dogs. I believe that all depends on how the term ‘people’ food is defined.
If ‘people’ food is defined as processedfood – the type of food that occupies 80% of today’s grocery shelves – yes, I would have to say it is bad for dogs and cats…just as processed food is bad for humans.
If instead ‘people’ food is defined as whole foods such as meat, good source fat, dairy products, fruit, vegetables, herbs, such as yogurt and cheese etc. then there are some ‘people’ foods that are good for dogs and cats, and other foods such as cereal grains that are definitely not good for dogs and cats. Some foods that are fine for us are not just species inappropriate for dogs and cats, some of these foods are toxic to dogs and cats. The lists - provided further below in section 2 and 3 of this article, separates the good from the bad and the downright dangerous.
And as a behaviourist who lives and works with dogs I can help you put to rest the theory voiced by some that ‘It is bad to feed your dog people food because doing so encourages your dog to beg for food’.
Feeding your dog real food (people food) does not create ‘bad manners’ in a dog, does not make a dog beg for food, be aggressive around food etc. It is instead the act of feeding your dog ‘at the table’, slipping your dog bits of food from your plate, letting your dog fixate on your food and be under your feet while you are preparing the food that makes a dog beg for food. My dogs all eat real food – the same food that I eat – they eat their food in their own food bowls and they do not beg me for my food. They are permitted to be in the kitchen when I am preparing food – provided that they behave in a reasonable manner – relax, sit or lie down out of the way.
1.3 Pet Food – is it Really Good for Dogs and Cats
There are many ingredients and hidden ingredients in pet foods and treats (off-the-shelf pet store products and veterinarian prescribed) that will adversely affect the health of your dog and cat. Having some knowledge of the good and bad ingredients found in pet food can mean the difference between great health and poor health, between a few visits to the veterinarian over the span of your companion animals life - or many visits, lesser quality of life and a shortened life span. The lists - provided further below in section 2 and 3 of this article, below will assist you in understanding bad, good and better pet food.
1.4 Foods that are Normally Safe Can Become Dangerous If...
- The food has come into contact with a poisonous substance (i.e. chemical-based cleaners that you have used on food prep surfaces);
- If the food has not been stored safely (i.e. raw food has been left unrefrigerated) and has become contaminated with harmful bacteria;
- If the food has started to rot;
- If the food is from a source (i.e. meat) which was from an animal that was fed growth hormones, antibiotics, and yes, genetically engineered (GE), genetically modified (GMO) foods;
- If the food was grown with high levels of pesticides and herbicides;
- If the food contains other health threatening ingredients;
- etc.
2.0 Foods to Avoid – Bad for your Dog, Cat
Alcoholic Beverages
Any type of alcohol can be poisonous to your dog and cat and aside from intoxication, can cause a coma or even death.
Any type of alcohol can be poisonous to your dog and cat and aside from intoxication, can cause a coma or even death.
Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Dry Yeast, other leavening agents
If ingested in large amounts - and please remember large amounts must be considered in relation to your dogs or cats size - can cause problems with electrolyte levels (low calcium, low potassium, high sodium), muscle spasms and/or congestive heart failure. Also avoid giving your dog large amounts (again size is relative) of raw dough that contains leavening agents. Remember heat is a catalyst for the leavening agent - raw dough can swell in your dog’s stomach and cause serious if not
If ingested in large amounts - and please remember large amounts must be considered in relation to your dogs or cats size - can cause problems with electrolyte levels (low calcium, low potassium, high sodium), muscle spasms and/or congestive heart failure. Also avoid giving your dog large amounts (again size is relative) of raw dough that contains leavening agents. Remember heat is a catalyst for the leavening agent - raw dough can swell in your dog’s stomach and cause serious if not
