Table Food and Healthy Dogs

Our dog Molly is a 7 month old Miniature Schnauzer who is much like a new child in our home. Even before we sit down to eat, I am thinking, why can’t I give her a bit of this human food that I know she would love to eat? I mean stuff like a bit of turkey gristle or a pork chop bone or a few left over scrambled eggs. Is this "natural" food bad for her?

When our son Ryan comes to visit, he secretly slips Molly just about anything off his plate that he can pick up with his fingers. Other than that, she basically gets just good quality kibbles and water of course.

Here is what I found in a "Healthy Dog" recipe book that was written by a canine nutritionist and veterinarian.

• Dogs are carnivores and thrive on high-protein diets

• Animal protein is especially important to dogs. Plant proteins (carbohydrates) are incomplete and harder for carnivores to digest.

• Dogs don’t have to worry about clogged arteries so saturated fats are OK [as long as your dog is not over weight]

• Carbohydrates which come from plants such as grains, vegetables and fruits offer an inexpensive source of calories but have less nutritional value than foods from animal sources.

It turns out that many health problems in dogs can be linked to high-carb diets. If your dog suffers from allergies, arthritis, seizures, chronic ear infections, or digestive disorders, cut out the grains and starchy carbs from the diet for a while to see if your dog improves.

Since the bulk of dry dog food is starch, and that is all Molly gets, it makes sense that a little higher protein diet would be beneficial to her. Also, since dog food ingredients labeling is suspect, we don’t really know how much protein she is getting in her diet.

One conclusion that may be drawn is that natural, high protein table food given to Molly "sparingly" will actually benefit her. And, I feel a little better knowing her diet has some variety, not just high starch Kibbles. There is no doubt that Molly loves this new menu!