WHILE there is nothing wrong with sharing many favorite human foods with dogs, giving them some table scraps can be harmful or even very dangerous.
Dr. Jomar Castro, veterinarian and founder of Ask-A-Vet Philippines, cited the critical reasons why human food should not be given to dogs and shared his thoughts on table food vs. pre-packed dog food as well as how a dog’s nutritional needs differ from humans.
“What is important for dogs is not the taste but the smell,” Castro noted, as their noses are so sensitive that they can tell if the food is rancid. Feeding them table food should be stopped because some cannot provide important nutrients and health benefits.
Cost-wise, nothing beats giving homemade do-it-yourself dog food; but health-wise, this is still questionable.
“If you feed cheap ingredients, the result may be bad, not really healthy and balanced, and in the long run you will see the effects on your dog,” he explained.
Castro encourages dog lovers to do their research on dog nutrition and the many variations of packaged dog food.
As a pet doctor, he relies on trusted partners like Pedigree, which has spent over 30 years studying the best ingredients for dog food.
“It has pre-packaged dog food to suit every pet’s needs, so you just have to find the product that fits your dogs to give them something that’s healthy, balanced and more nutritious than other dog food brands,” he pointed out.
Before settling for any dog food, they should also consult a vet to get the type best suited to their dog’s condition. “Dogs have a short digestive system, so when you feed them something wrong, even a little bit, their tummies immediately ache and they get diarrhea fast,” he also said.
Dogs have lesser digestive enzymes for breaking down carbohydrates like grains, which is why there are new types of “grain-free” dog food to keep from causing digestive disturbances, especially for dogs with voracious appetites.
Castro advised to make the vet their next best friend so they would have someone to run to for those worrisome moments.
In the pet store, a variety of choices can be encountered, so learn to read the labels of each brand and study its specific use for the dog’s age, type, breed and size, he added.
He warned against making abrupt changes in dog food. Once dog parents observe a positive reaction from their dogs to a particular food, they should stick with that preference so that their bodies will adapt and absorb the best nutrition over time.
