Top 5 Reasons Not to Feed Your Dog Kitchen Scraps

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There are several reasons why leftovers are not suitable as a primary food source for dogs:

Firstly, the nutritional balance is often compromised, or the nutrients are severely damaged during the cooking process.

Dogs are primarily carnivorous omnivores, which means they can eat a wide variety of foods. However, human diets are rich in fats and carbohydrates, which can lead to weight issues in dogs that no longer need to worry about food scarcity. Moreover, the cooking process alters the properties of various ingredients, rendering the nutrients they contain unsuitable for canine digestion. This makes leftover food a significant health risk for dogs.

Additionally, the seasonings used in human cooking can be harmful to dogs.

Chefs often add salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and monosodium glutamate to enhance the appearance, taste, and texture of dishes. These highly purified ingredients can be too much for dogs, leading to potential overconsumption. For instance, if a dog's diet contains more than 1.5% salt, it can pose serious health threats.

Leftovers also do not align with a dog's digestive patterns and can lead to chronic health issues.

Human diets include a significant amount of roughage and plant components that can be challenging for dogs. Carbohydrates are not easily absorbed by canines, despite the presence of nutrients beneficial to their bodies. These foods can only add extra strain to a dog's digestive system.

Some may wonder why dogs have historically eaten human leftovers without apparent issues, but this is a misconception. Dogs are expected to live around 15 years, but before the advent of pet nutrition science, their average lifespan was much shorter. It's only with the widespread use of commercial dog food in recent years that the average lifespan of dogs has started to increase.