Just Curious> People food for dogs? Yes or No

Juliet5381 · 08-05-2007, 12:23 PM

I was curious as to how people felt about giving dogs people food???

For years my family has always given our dogs meat from dinner like chicken or beef. Some people have a huge issue with dogs eating people food and some don't.

I was just wondering what the general feeling was on this board???

RonE · 08-05-2007, 12:33 PM

Most human foods (with some notable exceptions) probably won't hurt your dog, but how and when are they being given?

Are they added to the regular dog food as an occasional treat? Are they given in place of dog food? Does the dog sit at the table with the rest of the family?

I have a HUGE issue with anyone who feeds my dog while we are eating or gives her table scraps after she's already eaten her own dinner. In fact, I'd rather nobody feed her anything without my knowledge and permission.

If somebody watched my diet as closely as I watch Esther's, I'd probably be able to run and jump and swim all day like she does.

Juliet5381 · 08-05-2007, 12:51 PM

No never while we are eating dinner. The dogs are not allowed near the table at all when we eat. My dad cuts up the meat after dinner and either gives it to them , then or mixes it with their dog food.

Our dogs eat dog food people food is just an extra treat. It's not an every night thing either.

Like I said just curious as to people's opinions!! :-)

RonE · 08-05-2007, 02:41 PM

I don't have a problem under those circumstances as long as the dog isn't being used in lieu of a garbage disposal.

Inga · 08-05-2007, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonE

Most human foods (with some notable exceptions) probably won't hurt your dog, but how and when are they being given?

Are they added to the regular dog food as an occasional treat? Are they given in place of dog food? Does the dog sit at the table with the rest of the family?

I have a HUGE issue with anyone who feeds my dog while we are eating or gives her table scraps after she's already eaten her own dinner. In fact, I'd rather nobody feed her anything without my knowledge and permission.

If somebody watched my diet as closely as I watch Esther's, I'd probably be able to run and jump and swim all day like she does.

Oh Man, I hear you Ron. I have a few friends that come over and try to over rule me on the dog rules. That drives me nuts. Sneaking them food while we eat or right before and after.

I do not allow it. I am careful of what I feed my dogs. I try to give them the best food I can. I don't want to have them eating all kinds of other things. I also don't like the begging that comes from allowing dogs by the table. No Thank you!

Juliet5381 · 08-05-2007, 05:17 PM

Nope never at the table.

Do any of you feed table scraps i.e meat not junk food or used at a garbage disposal.

TearahBey77 · 08-05-2007, 08:52 PM

Guilty... but hear me out, lol. I am obcessive compulsive about nutrition, wich means i only eat when I am hungry and if it is going to do my body good. So the pups are usually given a few scraps of what ever i am eating, bite of low fat cheese, piece of shredded wheat, lick the bowl from the oatmeal, plain chk brst, few ww speghetti noodles. These are just used as treats, to add a lil spice to life and nothing is ever given in amounts more then like a tablle spoon or two. All in all, if it is good for you (usually (except grapes and raisins)) then your pooch can have a bite too but if you felt guilty eating it, then dont give it to your dog.

Juliet5381 · 08-05-2007, 11:51 PM

cool.

I was expecting a lot of people being opposed to dogs and people food.

kendallj · 08-06-2007, 01:02 AM

yeah table scraps are great as little additives to their dinner AFTER you have already cleared your table. This is more of a way to keep them from begging and jumping up on the table and what not. But as long as it is done in moderation and the food isn't too rich (as in FATTY). When I cook my breakfast (toast and egg whites) I hate crust so I toss that in my dogs bowl as I walk by it to the table. She loves it! Just like with us, everything in moderation! I give my dog ice cubes in her water too... she goes crazy nosing them around her bowl trying to pick them up without putting her nose in the water.... sorry... got carried away with the cuteness.... and as a side not... not to pirate your topic... but I hear alot about how grapes are bad for dogs... why exactly is that?? My dog that I had growing up (lived to the ripe old age of 16 was put down due to SEVERE arthritis) we always gave him grapes and he loved them!

settermom · 08-06-2007, 07:56 AM

I do give my three some occasional table scraps, all three pups are trained to lie quietly near the table, they are not allowed to be fed ANYTHING, from the table, when we are done, they wait untill we go into the kitchen,and call them to their bowls. I'm carefull in the extreme, about what they can have, all are raw fed, but the little tidbits of meat, and veg they get is a nice treat for them, No one is allowed to feed them from the table, even guests are not allowed to even give them a treat without permission. My Wheaten Terrior Cubby has had health issues, all his life, so if I'm a little overprotective about his food, so be it... But yes all three, get table scraps on occasion.

Settermom

Mdawn · 08-06-2007, 08:22 AM

I don't feed my dogs "people" food at all except for low fat plain yogurt. They get a tablespoon or so of that every day. I don't really disagree with people that do. However, I personally, don't feel that it is necessary that my dogs have it. I also don't allow anyone but me to feed my dogs OR cats. Not even my boyfriend or his mother. They aren't as strict as I am about feeding schedules and measuring the amounts. My mom's dog gets "people" food and begs horribly. Although, my mom gives her the bites of food while she, herself, is eating dinner. A BIG no-no. I've never been able to convince her that she shouldn't do that...You can't eat ANYTHING at my moms house without Baby standing in front of you, barking in your face, demanding a bite. Drives me crazy.

Wimble Woof · 08-06-2007, 09:22 AM

I give the odd table scraps from time to time, but NEVER while we are eating, all 4 of my dogs know when the people have their food its time to go lie down somewhere and not even look at them. It really impresses some people who come over for dinner, they admit to being a bit sceptical of coming for dinner because they didnt want to deal with 4 dogs begging, but since they were never fed directly off the plate they dont expect it.
On topic more again, I agree with RonE's point about dogs being used as garbage disposals, that bothers me. However, a little piece here and there for a "treat" I have no problem with.

shell07 · 08-06-2007, 10:20 AM

For as long as I can remember, after a meal, our dogs would be the "plate cleaners", and that was their "treat". We never fed them from the table as we were eating..that was a big no,no. Today, however, I monitor what our dogs eat as closely as I can. We live in the country so there is always something they "find" for a snack..but when I grill something I usually give them the fat scraps off the meat (with no seasonings/marinades), but not much else. Our rotty got really big after a winter of "cleaning plates", and that is what we assumed it was;too much people food AND friends and family visiting us and giving them little bites off their plates because they are "cute", etc.....this drives me crazy!! You never know when a dog can be allergic to something and if you don't know what they were given, how can you monitor? . We occasionally give them a hot dog, and they always have fresh meat bones from the butcher, but other than that, only their kibble.

ChrissyBz · 08-12-2007, 03:05 AM

Yes,

And three of the six (the smaller ones) are allowed to sit at the table only my mom's two are allowed to beg and only from her. (Dogs soon learn who the suckers are)Mine has table manners and her own chair where she watches all the goings on from. She doesn't beg as she knows that good things come to those who wait. This only happens once every couple of weeks or so. It's not a regular thing. She's so well mannered if she had opposable thumbs she'd use a fork & knife.

britishbandit · 08-12-2007, 09:02 AM

I give my dogs people food all the time, but only things I know are good for them, and won't harm them. I don't allow begging, and any food that is given to them is done so by putting it in their own dishes, and after I'm finished.

I also feed them a part raw diet, so they often get meat, veggies, eggs, cheese and such for meals anyway.

Ginny01OT · 08-12-2007, 09:19 AM

I don't allow anyone to feed Riley table scraps, he is allowed by the dinner table as long as he is in "down". If I make a nice steak or chicken dish while I am cleaning up I will hand feed him a few pieces of the meat--on some occasions I will give him a little cheese but that is as far as the human food goes.

IslandMutts · 08-12-2007, 10:45 AM

Yesterday i was a a barbecue and the host sent me home with 4 hamburgers that were leftover (no buns). the dogs got those instead of their kibble for dinner - no complaints from them. usually, i'll only give them a few bites of people food.... a piece of deli meat, a few spears of broccoli, a little whole wheat pasta with meat sauce, chick peas. basically anything. but not a lot, and yesterday was the first time i ever game it to them in place of a meal. but... one time, right be fore we moved, they were acting up because i think they sensed a major change... we had a pizza on the kitchen counter with only two slices missing from it and we were eating in the TV room... we went back to the kitchen - they had gotten it down and eaten the whole thing!

Spiritguardian3 · 08-15-2007, 08:21 AM

I personally try to stay away from 'people' food when it comes to my dogs, especially now that I have a puppy/boston terrier. I DO put chicken or rice in her dinner sometimes to give her a treat but I take out some dog food to make it even. Chicken, rice, beef, venicine, etc I don't consider people food until there is added spice, maranade, etc (ex: ground beef with the extra grease squeezed out, fine. Sloppy Joes, not so much) You should know what is good/bad for your dog and how much. My rule of thumb for meats is if its not processed and its plain, its a tastey treat

I'll never forget when I worked at burger king and every single friday night this lady would come through drive thru for 10 plain hamburgers to feed her dog. Almost a year later she stopped coming abruptly, we all assumed the dog died of a heart attack or something.

Dana1384 · 08-15-2007, 10:55 AM

I have an uncle who is really bad about it. I don't think his dog eats dog food at all, only maybe when my Aunt doggiesit her. My uncle is a big fast food junkie, popeyes is the dogs favorite and burgerking.. He feeds her meals like we would get!

My dogs usually only get meat from dinner the night before.. I don't like giving them food late in the evening just in cases someone decides they need to be sick. Both mine lay down while everyone eats, and get rewarded later..

gone2thedogs · 08-15-2007, 11:48 AM

I do feed raw, so that's "people" food... But no table scraps and definitely no begging! I do, however, let Snoop have my strawberry leaves when I'm eating fresh berries. He seems to think they're a delicacy. Even though he knows not to bother anyone when they're eating, he'll come and sit next to me when there are strawberries on my plate.