Ben Squires
Family & Pets

Why you shouldn’t feed your pet table scraps

Don’t cave into those big brown puppy eyes! If you feed your furry friend scraps from the dinner table, you could be unwittingly sending them to an early grave.

Pet obesity is on the rise with vets seeing an increasing number of obese animal in the last few years. However, many owners remain unaware their pets were on the heavy side or that pet obesity was even a problem.

Roy Morgan Research found that 42 per cent of Aussie dog owners were feeding their pooch table scraps, with many people underestimating just how fattening the food is for our pets. For example, one sausage for a nine kilogram pooch is the equivalent of a person eating three hamburgers. Similarly, one biscuit for a small animal is like us demolishing the entire biscuit packet!

Zara Boland, a clinical vet, told the Daily Mail: “By feeding scraps and human food treats to our pets we are literally shortening their lives as well as accelerating them towards a range of adverse health conditions associated with malnutrition and obesity.

Yet simply by ensuring nutritionally balanced and tasty meals, we can demonstrate our love and commitment to them.”

However, not all people food is bad for our pets.

Kristina Johansen, a dog nutritionist, says, “Vegetables such as green beans, baby carrots, broccoli, zucchini or any other dog-safe crunchy vegetable are excellent treats, as are some fruits such as apples, pears, bananas, and melon.”

She recommends pet owners “avoid treats that are high in fat and calories such as cheese, sausages and peanut butter, and feed them smaller treat portions”.

Related links:

Clever cop saves dog with a moment of inspiration

The happiest dogs in the world

15 unlikely friendships that will melt your heart

Tags:
family, pets, pet food