Do You Consistently Feed Your Dogs and Cats From Your Plate?
Before
commercial pet food entered the market, dogs and cats lived on scraps
left over after dinner. This trend regained popularity after the 2007
contaminated pet food scandal, in which hundreds of dogs and cats died
from eating contaminated food. Today, more and more pet owners are home
cooking the foods their pets eat so they know exactly what goes into
them.
While this is certainly an acceptable way to
feed your pet, the reality is some human foods aren’t good for a cat or
dog to eat. Some foods can even be toxic to animals. So, before you
start scraping your leftovers into your pet’s dish, you should have a
solid foundation on what your pet’s dietary needs are and which foods
are safe and more importantly, unsafe, for your pet to eat.
20 Human Foods You Can Feed Your Cat or Dog
There are some human foods that are safe for both dogs and cats to eat and these include:
- Salmon
- Bread
- Eggs
- Spinach
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Green beans
- Broccoli
- Yogurt
- Peanut butter
- Cottage cheese
- Carrots
- Cantaloupe
- Oatmeal
- Peas
- Bananas
- Cheese, especially hard cheeses like Gouda, Cheddar, and Swiss
- Pumpkin
- Blueberries
- Apples
Human Foods You Should Never Feed Your Cat or Dog
Just
as there are safe human foods for cats and dogs, there are also foods
that you should never feed your pet. These foods include:
- Chocolate
- Coffee
- Soft drinks
- Avocados
- Foods containing Xylitol
- Chewing gum
- Macadamia nuts
- Grapes and raisins
- Onions
- Garlic
- Yeast dough
- High sodium foods, including bacon
If
you want to start feeding your pet a healthy diet composed of foods
already in your refrigerator or pantry, then here are some tips to help
you make a successful transition from commercial pet food.
#1: Make the Change Gradually
A
dog or cat’s digestive system doesn’t do well with sudden food changes
and this is especially the case when changing from commercial pet food
to human foods. Start the transition by adding a little bit of bland,
unseasoned chicken, meat, or vegetables in with your pet’s kibble.
Gradually add a little more people food and a little less kibble each
day.
#2: Diversify Your Pet’s Diet
Don’t
feed your pet one kind of food, such as only meat or chicken. Pets like
diversity too, so be sure you incorporate grains and vegetables into
their diet so they can enjoy the benefits of a well-rounded,
nutritionally rich diet.
#3: Keep Fat in Check
It’s
true that animals need fat to be healthy and strong, but too much fat
is never a good thing and it can even cause your pet to experience
stomach upset. Keep things like fatty meats, chicken skin, butter, and
other high-fat foods out of your pet’s diet and he’ll be healthier for
it.
#4: If You Won’t Eat It, Don’t Feed It to Your Pet
If
you have things left over on your plate after a meal that you won’t
eat, like fat, gristle, or skin, don’t feed them to your pet. They’re
just as bad for him as they are for you.
Author: Giano Panzarella
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