Okay to feed table scraps?

[chachi]

Originally Posted by Britster

I also let Jackson lick the bowl of my vanilla ice cream, lol. He loves it. Our family has always shared our food with our dogs so whether it's good or not... we've never had any issues with it. And like I said, it's not like I'm throwing him a bunch of MickeyD's french fries every day, or Cheese Curls, or anything like that. I make sure it's in small proportions and nothing that will hurt him. I think it's just like people... even people on a diet splurge sometimes and eat a few chips. It's all about proportion! If I'm eating scrambled eggs in the morning, I'm always sure to save a bit for Jackson to eat. If we eat chicken for dinner, we save a bit for the dogs. If I go out to eat and get steak or chicken, I always save a bit to bring home for the dog!

Mine just love the ice cream we even give our cats a bite full of ice cream. We started it because we got them one from the soft serve ice cream truck and then after that every time they hear the ice cream truck music they would bark and whine for an ice cream. So we started buying those ice cream cups you can get in the store to save money. Now when the ice cream truck comes down the street both yorkies and both cats wait for their ice cream. I dont think people food is bad in moderation and as pet owners we all know what our dogs can eat and not bother them and what they cant. If mine had any kind of digestive problems I would stop but they are going on 6 and havent had any so far

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by Melcakes

Hmmm. I personally don't see a big difference between table scraps and home cooked. I guess there's a difference if one gives their dog "bad" table scraps and just pieces of scraps here and there as well as things not meant for them, but I think there is also such a thing as "good" table scraps. IMO it really depends on what one considers table scraps. Basically table scraps are what's left over on a humans plate, no? Am I wrong here? So, lets say for example one has for dinner boiled chicken, green beens, and a sweet potato and then gives the left overs of that to their dog, it's basically IMO like a home cooked meal, no? Or for example you give your dog some of your hard boiled egg in the morning and maybe a few pieces of steak. Is that so bad? It's actually what people give when they do home cook for their dogs (from my readings of what people cook for their dogs), so what's the difference? I don't home-cook though because I am very concerned about a meal being balanced for a dog and think it's a TON of work along with proper supplementation, and like you consider I also agree that anyone who does homecook for their dog consult a board certified nutrionist. I do give my Zoey a few "good" table scraps here and there since she is such a picky eater and I don't think it's a bad thing at all. Isn't really a matter of knowing what is good for a dog and what's not. I'm not saying to just feed your dog table scraps only, but I think table scraps are not as bad as what people make them out to be as long as "good" food is given. Interesting though about your carrot story above.

I guess in theory, you're right. If I were to eat bland boiled chicken breast, and green beans, and bland white rice Kaji could share my entire plate. The truth is, I don't eat like that. My chicken has spices, and herbs on it. I'm sure most of that would upset Kaji's stomach. I like other cuts of the chicken better than the breasts. My rice is made with chicken bouillon, onion, and tomato. I'm sure some of that would make Kaji super sick. I do share my lettuce with him. He loves the white crunchy part of the lettuce. I do agree with you about good and bad table scraps. Most of mine are bad.

I am guilty of buying ice cream for him. He doesn't get a lot but boy does he love it!

[Ellie May]

I guess it's all in the definition. To me, table scraps are salted and peppered, full of margarine, fatty with plenty of milk and onions. Homecooking is way different, but I suppose it's all in what the owner is eating... And some "table scraps" won't hurt once in awhile, but to say they are okay could potentially cause danger, so it's not something I could recommend. Sure, some potato or salty chicken shouldn't do any harm, but then there are all the fried foods, etc. so I just don't like to use the term...

Ellie used to love Cheez-Its and ice cream along with a long list of things she should have never had (fatty meat, etc.). She can't have any of it now. If she could, I would be willing to do a Cheez-It now and she could lick the ice cream carton. But if I had to do it over again, there are still things she wouldn't get any of (purposely anyway) like fried meat, potato chips, etc. If it seems greasy to me, then I'm not comfortable with it. And most dogs do just fine with ice cream now and then. I just think it's important to remember that technically the serving size for an adult is 1/2 cup. So for a little Yorkie, it would be like one small bite... I think it's all in what you feel comfortable doing.

BTW, Frosty Paws made Ellie throw up several times and she did much better with people ice cream. lol.

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

I guess it's all in the definition. To me, table scraps are salted and peppered, full of margarine, fatty with plenty of milk and onions. Homecooking is way different, but I suppose it's all in what the owner is eating... And some "table scraps" won't hurt once in awhile, but to say they are okay could potentially cause danger, so it's not something I could recommend. Sure, some potato or salty chicken shouldn't do any harm, but then there are all the fried foods, etc. so I just don't like to use the term...

Ellie used to love Cheez-Its and ice cream along with a long list of things she should have never had (fatty meat, etc.). She can't have any of it now. If she could, I would be willing to do a Cheez-It now and she could lick the ice cream carton. But if I had to do it over again, there are still things she wouldn't get any of (purposely anyway) like fried meat, potato chips, etc. If it seems greasy to me, then I'm not comfortable with it. And most dogs do just fine with ice cream now and then. I just think it's important to remember that technically the serving size for an adult is 1/2 cup. So for a little Yorkie, it would be like one small bite... I think it's all in what you feel comfortable doing.

BTW, Frosty Paws made Ellie throw up several times and she did much better with people ice cream. lol.

You made my point better than I did.

[Melcakes]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

I guess it's all in the definition. To me, table scraps are salted and peppered, full of margarine, fatty with plenty of milk and onions. Homecooking is way different, but I suppose it's all in what the owner is eating... And some "table scraps" won't hurt once in awhile, but to say they are okay could potentially cause danger, so it's not something I could recommend. Sure, some potato or salty chicken shouldn't do any harm, but then there are all the fried foods, etc. so I just don't like to use the term...

Ellie used to love Cheez-Its and ice cream along with a long list of things she should have never had (fatty meat, etc.). She can't have any of it now. If she could, I would be willing to do a Cheez-It now and she could lick the ice cream carton. But if I had to do it over again, there are still things she wouldn't get any of (purposely anyway) like fried meat, potato chips, etc. If it seems greasy to me, then I'm not comfortable with it. And most dogs do just fine with ice cream now and then. I just think it's important to remember that technically the serving size for an adult is 1/2 cup. So for a little Yorkie, it would be like one small bite... I think it's all in what you feel comfortable doing.

BTW, Frosty Paws made Ellie throw up several times and she did much better with people ice cream. lol.

Yes, I think it is how one defines "table scraps". For me I think of table scraps as "left-overs" not necessarily just things full of margarine, salt, pepper, seasoning, and fat. I personally consider table scraps my home-cooked leftovers and most of the stuff I eat is similar to home-cooked food you'd find people feeding and preparing for their dogs as well (boiled chicken, veggies, potatoes, turkey, fish - etc.). I guess everyone has there different views of what table scraps are. I eat very healthy though so most of my table scraps are non-salted, low in fat and/or lack seasoning and kind of "boring" I guess. I think not feeding table scraps is not recommended because of the way most of our society eats today and all the bad, fatty high salt food that our society fills their bodies with.

[Ute White]

I would define "table scraps" as leftover from your plate and that I would not feed a yorkie. Spices, unhealthy fat, fried food and ketchup is not for a dog. I can see the difference between giving them "table scraps" on a daily base and a little piece now and then though. However, I would not risk it and btw as someone else already said you don't want your pup to turn into a beggar.
Carrots, bland cooked chicken, plain rice and the occasional ice cream treat are okay I guess.

[Rachael x]

I would advise you not to.
My older dog who is a cross breed used to get fed table scraps and now she always begs for food every time someone is eating and will cry and jump on you.
You DONT want this I can tell you.
I now have a pup and we have learned from our mistakes and wont be feeding this one table scraps.

[Melcakes]

I think it depends on the dog and how one feeds the table scraps. I know dogs that are given healthy table scraps/left-overs and they are well behaved and not beggars. I have a friend that had a Golden Retriever and would occasionally give him table scraps (turkey, chicken, a piece of meat) and he NEVER begged for it and was very well behaved and never bothered anyone when they were eating. I think when dogs are fed from one's plate or hand then they are more prone to being beggars and will jump up on one when eating.

Not something I would do or feel comfortable with, but table scraps such as those so called 'bad ones" made up of fat, cartilage and bone with some meat left on, which you trim off steaks and other food you prepare for yourself, are actually given and become part of raw diets given by raw dog feeders and these "prey model feeders" are keen believes that it's important to include these scraps as part of a real raw diet....

Since the cave man's time, man has fed his dog with his own food "garbage" believe it or not..now today many are considering kibble this new "garbage"....

[BabyGirl Rosie]

Take it from me don't feed table scraps that are harmful to your baby. Yes, i believe the scraps can lead to serious problems. My husband used to feed Rosie scraps all the time. He would give her anything he was eating. She became very ill and ended up at the vet. She was so sick with vomiting and diarrhea. He had to run all kinds of test on her and it cost me a lot of money. Now she has a very sensitive stomach and has to eat prescription food. The vet says he can not prove it was from the table food but he really feels that was what caused our problems. My husband was bad about feeding her bacon, hot dogs, etc even though I kept telling him not to. All the really bad stuff that a dog should not get. So there is no table scraps allowed for my girl any longer. I am not saying it is right or wrong I am just saying we had a very bad experience from it. Here is a picture of what my baby went through.
01-10-10_1537.jpg

[Beamers Mom]

Quick question

We just finished dinner and the Yorkies were so good - Lil Bit was always jumping up at the table when we ate and Beamer started picking up the bad habit from her - tonight they didn't jump up, I had started saying"No" and "Down" in a "cross" voice when they did it, so I think I have now cured them of that bad habit.
So, as they were good tonight I suggested to my husband that we let them have a little ice cream - never given them ice cream before as I didn't know it was OK.
But how much can I safely give them? A tablespoon each? Would that be enough or too much? Beamer is 5 lbs and Lil Bit is around 8 lbs

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by Beamers Mom

Quick question

We just finished dinner and the Yorkies were so good - Lil Bit was always jumping up at the table when we ate and Beamer started picking up the bad habit from her - tonight they didn't jump up, I had started saying"No" and "Down" in a "cross" voice when they did it, so I think I have now cured them of that bad habit.
So, as they were good tonight I suggested to my husband that we let them have a little ice cream - never given them ice cream before as I didn't know it was OK.
But how much can I safely give them? A tablespoon each? Would that be enough or too much? Beamer is 5 lbs and Lil Bit is around 8 lbs

A tablespoon is fine! I would give tiny tastes to prolong the experience.

Side note:
I have Kaji lie down and wait by the kitchen table. If he's really good, he gets a treat. If he gets up and beg, he gets nothing. I can't wait to move out. My mom is the worst instigator. I tell Kaji to go back to the carpet, and my mom whines and complains how mean I am to my furbaby. My mom uses a lot of chemicals (heavy duty cleaners) in the kitchen, and will feed him no-no foods if I allowed him in there. I do it for his safety but she doesn't seem to understand.

[Beamers Mom]

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

A tablespoon is fine! I would give tiny tastes to prolong the experience.

Thank you so much for the fast response

Beamer and Lil Bit thank you too

[Beamers Mom]

They enjoyed the ice cream (they didn't think a tablespoon was enough though - but I didn't give them more than that).

I'll use ice cream for special treats for them

[yorkie_mama22]

If I'm preparing dinner, before I put any spices or anything on the meat I always give my babies a few pieces of raw meat. They get veggies, fruits, cheese or vanilla icecream too sometimes.

[lil fu fu girl]

[QUOTE=DvlshAngel985;3194685]There is a big difference between table scraps and a home cooked meal for a dog. Those that home cook have to be careful to provide a nutritious, well balanced meal for their pooch. Essentially, they are cooking for the dog not the human. The difference is who the meal is tailored for and what the food contains.

Table scraps on the other hand are whatever is left over from a human's meal. A lot of what we put on human food could be dangerous to a pup. For example, dogs can not eat onion, it is bad for them. My parents made soup with lots of veggies. They know Kaji loves carrots, so they picked out carrot pieces from their soup and gave them to him. A few hours later, Kaji wouldn't stop throwing up. The carrot pieces had blended with all the other stuff in the pot, including onion. It made him really sick, and I had to put him on a bland diet for a few days.

Excellent post. Many of us feed home-prepared meals everyday for our pups. My constant is high quality complete proteins from meat. Canines digestive tracts are different than humans and require meat proteins for healthy digestion as well as for overall body health. Meat fat, grizzle, and scraps of that nature are not "good-eats" for our pups, and may induce unwanted organ disruptions like pancreatitis.