Are turkey leftovers ok for your dog to eat? Generally, table scraps for pets aren’t a good idea. But some pet experts are saying that some of the bounty filling your plate this holiday is good for your dog too. Turkey, green beans, pumpkin, carrots–it’s all protein and fiber your dog thrives on.

You might even save your Thanksgiving and other holiday leftovers to use as treats for your agility dog.

“Dogs’ nutritional needs are fairly similar to people’s,” says Jean Hofve, a recently retired holistic vet from Denver. “If you’re eating well-balanced, healthy, unprocessed food, your dog’s plate should look a lot like yours.”

Being able to trust what goes into your pet’s food is appealing. But before you scrape your plate of food into your dog’s bowl, consider this: a sudden switch from kibble to people food can make your dog very sick.

“Every Thanksgiving, we usually see five or six dogs come in with vomiting or diarrhea,” says Grant Nixon. “If you ate nothing but bread and water and then someone gave you a steak, it’d upset your stomach, too.” Nixon advises easing your dog into a home cooked regimen slowly.

If you’re going to share some of your cooking with your dog, whether it’s during the holidays or regular mealtimes, make sure it includes the right nutritional balance. It should give your dog appropriate amounts of protein, fat, fiber, and other nutrients with each meal.

Depending on who you ask, cooking for your dog either requires a degree in veterinary nutrition, or some healthy ingredients and a little common sense. Both Nixon and Hofve agree that, once you’ve figured out the right proportions and amounts, it’s not rocket science. “It’s kind of like cooking for another child,” says Nixon.

Experts advise basing meals around meat, with the rest split between vegetables and whole grains. Your vet or a veterinary nutritionist can offer further guidance, especially since a dog’s exact nutritional needs varies with age, size, breed, activity level, and special needs, such as allergies.

Is it worth the extra effort? For people uneasy about what goes into kibble and cans, the answer is yes. For others, a high-quality store brand with human-grade ingredients gives them peace of mind.

Or there’s the middle-of-the-road solution: high-quality dry food supplemented with a little meat, fish, vegetables, eggs, cheese, or whole grains from their own plates. And during the holidays, a nice slice of turkey.

Related posts:

1. Dog Treat Recipes Made with Love
2. Agility Training Dog Treats Recipes
3. Healthy Dog Treat Recipes

No Comments »

No comments yet.

RSS feed for comments on this post.

Leave a comment