Human food for my B?

[luzmery928]

O.k so now I'm pretty much addicted to this forum and everyday I read something new and everyday I have a new question…..Is human food O.k for my B? I've read ppl giving their B cottage cheese, peanut butter, etc...Hey this is great since I would love to feed him some of our treats instead of spending money on things he might not like so is there limits or any human food considered toxic or just not good for my B?

[jessi76]

there are many things that are toxic to be aware of… onions, chocolate, and grapes are 3 examples. if you are ever in doubt, don't feed it. I stick to tried and true things - chicken, beef, fish, turkey, peanut butter, cream cheese, mozarella cheese, low fat plain yogurt, carrots...

be aware of the sugar and fat content in the foods, try to stick to all natural (less chemicals), and use sparingly. of course, if your dog exhibits any strange behavior (sign of allergy or intolerance) stop feeding these foods. (for example, my dog cannot tolerate any venison, he vomits)

again, moderation is key!!! human food, IMO, should not replace a dog's regular diet (unless the diet is a homecooked diet or raw) I primarily use human food to train my dog, and to fill his kong, otherwise he sticks to his regular diet of kibble, canned food, and dog biscuits.

[luzmery928]

O.k I thank you and I'm sure my B thanks you too

[Vanessa]

If you go to the bagle store and ask for day old bagles, they ususally are really cheap. Throw em in the freezer and let your B have one from time to time. They love em!

[luzmery928]

Nice. We have a bakery owner in the family and unfortunantly are always throwing away hard bread…so good now we can treat our B to them..he happens to love bread

[spitfirekrl1]

@jessi76:

there are many things that are toxic to be aware of… onions, chocolate, and grapes are 3 examples. if you are ever in doubt, don't feed it. I stick to tried and true things - chicken, beef, fish, turkey, peanut butter, cream cheese, mozarella cheese, low fat plain yogurt, carrots...

be aware of the sugar and fat content in the foods, try to stick to all natural (less chemicals), and use sparingly. of course, if your dog exhibits any strange behavior (sign of allergy or intolerance) stop feeding these foods. (for example, my dog cannot tolerate any venison, he vomits)

again, moderation is key!!! human food, IMO, should not replace a dog's regular diet (unless the diet is a homecooked diet or raw) I primarily use human food to train my dog, and to fill his kong, otherwise he sticks to his regular diet of kibble, canned food, and dog biscuits.

Grapes are harmful? I never knew this, is this something with all dogs or ones with sensitive stomachs? What is it in them that is harmful do you know?

[jessi76]

grapes and raisins can lead to kidney failure. one or 2 isn't enough to do it, but I avoid them all together.

one resource - http://www.cvm.umn.edu/newsandevents/facts/petsafety/Grapes.html

a couple others are apple seeds and fruit pits.

ETA: this is true for all dogs, not just those w/ sensitive tummies.

[gbroxon]

See also:

http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/raisins.asp

Scroll down on that site for links regarding pets/poisons/human foods.

[spitfirekrl1]

Hmm, that was very interesting…thanks. Onions and garlic too? Very good to know, I don't personally feed table scraps but it's still useful knoledge.

[jessi76]

onions yes, they are toxic. there is a chemical that causes red blood cells to burst.

garlic - I think the jury is still out on that one. I occassionally feed fresh garlic - but in small amounts. I also use garlic powder in one of my dog biscuit recipes - garlic is a natural flea repellant. I'm no expert, but I believe it's safe in small amounts. I think garlic contains much less of the harmfull chemical found in the onion.

[JazzysMom]

I always find it interesting that onions and garlic are toxic to dogs. It was big news to me about a year ago.– didn't people used to feed garlic tabs to dogs?

My dogs have always been given onion and garlic and have lived long and healthy lives.
When my golden/mix was sick about five years ago w/pancreatitis, she nearly died. The vet was sure she was a goner, and in fact I brought her home from the vet hospital so the kids could spend a few days with her before she died. Teh vet loaded her up on antibiotics and fluids, and sent her home "to die" Lived on ice chips for a few days, and when she didn't die, I began moving her back on to food I started with fresh chicken broth, then over the course of a few days I added onion, and garlic, and then little bits of chicken, then carrots, etc.
The dog that was on death's door thrived on that "soup", and is now 13 and able to wrestle and run with Jazzy like a much younger dog would.

I don't give them onion and garlic now, but am baffled because I'd always thought those were healthy options!

[luzmery928]

This is too funny…dog biscuit recipes...please share

[jessi76]

there are so many recipes online - I do some basic ones, with wheat flour, garlic powder, egg, water, powdered milk, margarine. I've even used some bacon drippings instead of margarine. roll out the dough - use cookie cutters… I have bone shapes (large and small), cat shapes, stars, trees, etc... lay out on cookie sheet and bake. I get alot of cookies from one recipe - my dog goes goofy over the homemade ones, and I feel good knowing exactly what's in them.

of course, I only do this when I have time (and ingredients). there are tons of recipes online and in bookstores for dog treats.

[Vanessa]

Garlic…wow I didin't know that was bad for dogs. My old vet told me to brush there teeth with Garlic and water. I never did that because I don't like them smelling like garlic
Good To Know!!!

[JazzysMom]

I do some basic ones, with wheat flour, garlic powder,

So, garlic powder is okay, but just not fresh garlic?

[luzmery928]

roll out the dough…hmmmm...any receips contain store bought dough...too advanced for me..but sounds like fun to cook for my naughty little boy

[jessi76]

garlic is fine in small amounts. Garlic contains MUCH less of the toxic chemical that is found in an onion. I wouldn't feed a whole head of garlic at once, but a crushed up clove now and again is just fine. garlic is a natural flea repellant.

here is another resource - onions/garlic is listed.
http://www.entirelypets.com/toxicfoods.html

luzmery… I personally wouldn't use a store bought dough for dog treats. making the dough is actually very easy. just mix the ingredients together - it becomes thick, then use your hands to kneed it, and a rolling pin to roll it out.

[luzmery928]

that was actually a joke to show you my baking skills…It would be kind of cool to bake for my B some treats, my husband would probably get jealous cause I don't bake for him..haha