Why Labradors Should Never Have Table Scraps

Feeding any dog table scraps is a bad idea. Human foods are not designed for dogs as are dog foods, so feeding more or less at random will not provide a nutritious dog diet your pet should have for a long life.

Many foods eaten by humans can cause health problems in dog diets. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney disease. Onions and garlic contain sulfur compounds, which can lead to anemia in dogs. Milk and other dairy products can cause diarrhea. Pancreatitis and obesity can be caused by fat trimmed from meat. Chocolate, coffee and tea can be toxic to the heart and nervous system and can lead to vomiting and diarrhea. Vomiting and diarrhea can also be caused by persin, a compound found in avocados. Mushrooms can affect many organs, causing shock and death. Salt can be responsible for chemical imbalances. Rhubarb can damage the nervous, urinary, and digestive systems. Sugar can lead to dental problems, obesity, and possibly diabetes. The artificial sweetener xylitol can cause low blood sugar, vomiting, collapse, and liver failure. Macadamia nuts and broccoli are toxic to dogs. Bones, especially poultry bones, can splinter and rupture the dog’s digestive tract. Potato and tomato peelings and green potatoes and tomatoes contain oxalates, which can damage the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems. Nutmeg can damage the central nervous system, causing tremors and seizures.

Labrador retrievers are a breed prone to being overweight, and when they are fed table scraps there is a tendency to feed them things like fat that has been cut off meat, and to feed too many calories. When this happens, the Labrador retriever is a risk for hip dysplasia a serious bone disorder to which the breed is genetically prone.

Feeding table scraps can also result in behavior problems. Trying to eat dinner with a Labrador retriever who is constantly begging for your food can be annoying, especially when guests are present. If your dog is used to getting some of your food from your table, then he or she will think nothing of taking food that has been left out on the counter, or of jumping onto a chair or table to eat your Thanksgiving feast. Your Labrador retriever should know that the dining room table is strictly off limits. If he or she does not know this, you will be to blame if your Labrador decides to make off with your steak.

The best way to feed your Labrador retriever is to find a brand of dog food with good balanced nutrition and feed the same amount every day. Your veterinarian or dog trainer can recommend an appropriate amount, and common sense will tell you that if you observe weight gain, it is time to cut back. If your dog appears thin, then increase the amount of dog food you feed him or her. A good dog diet is one necessity for maintaining a happy, healthy Labrador retriever.

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