Are Table Foods Bad for Dogs and Cats?
When
no one's looking during dinner, have you been known
to slip Fido a forkful of fettucine? Or perhaps
you're the one Fluffy gravitates to during dessert--because
she knows you'll let her lick that dish of ice cream
clean. You're not alone--many owners offer their
pets table food. And although some human foods are
simply not appropriate for dogs and cats, certain
table scraps are fine--in moderation.
Good Table Scraps for Dogs & Cats
The
idea is to select easily digestible foods such as
cooked rice,
boneless and skinless chicken or turkey, small bits
of string cheese and well-cooked hamburger. Dogs
love their fruits and veggies, too, so feel free
to up their vitamin count with traditional canine
favorites like carrots, apples and green beans.
Your feline may be a bit more discriminating in
the produce department, but some cats love fresh
melon, corn and cooked
broccoli. Why not see if your kitty is among this
group?
Bad Human Food for Dogs & Cats
Be
careful when it comes to fatty meats and spicy foods.
These can result in an upset stomach, so it's best
to avoid them. Never offer your dog or cat bones,
as they can cause digestive digestive problems and
damage the teeth and mouth. Absolute no-nos include
onions, coffee, tea, chocolate and grapes or raisins,
which can be toxic to dogs and cats. And should
your
pet have a bout of vomiting or diarrhea after you've
given her a snack during supper, try to determine
which food had caused the problem and eliminate
it.
As
a rule of thumb, table food and other treats should
make up no more than five to ten percent of your
animal companion's daily intake. Should you overdo
it, you may find Rover refusing his regular food,
thereby failing to meet his nutritional requirements.
Did you know that an average adult cat's
diet should consist of at least 28 percent protein
and 9 percent fat, with carbohydrates comprising
not more than 40 percent? Dogs, on the other hand,
need at least 50 percent carbohydrates.
The
best way to ensure that your pet receives proper
nutrition is by offering a balanced, premium-quality
canned food or dry kibble. No matter what brand
or variety you go with, please follow the instructions
provided by the manufacturer, and take into account
any special feeding requirements your pet may have.
Young dogs and cats, for example, need the nutrients
found in kitten and puppy food, respectively. Special
veterinary-prescribed formulas are also available
for pets with kidney, urinary and heart problems.
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