Kylie Mitchell, Vet Advisor at PetSure

As humans, there are certain things we associate with love – and one of those things is food, so it’s no surprise that when it comes to our fur babies, sharing food with them is often associated with bonding and connection.

But as a veterinarian, I’ve seen things go pear-shaped when pet parents feed their pets the wrong thing.

So here are five things I’d never feed my dog.

  1. Pet mince

The top food group I’d never feed my dog is raw mince meat, especially pet mince. Raw meats can be contaminated with bacteria like Salmonella, Listeria, Clostridium and E. Coli. Not only are these bacteria potentially harmful to our pets, but they are also potentially zoonotic, meaning they could make us sick as well.

If you want to supplement your dog’s diet, go for it – vegetables and lentils make tasty and safe alternatives. However, if you want to add meat into the mix, be sure to use human-grade meat and cook it well. Remember too, you may need to adjust your dog’s overall daily intake, so you don’t overfeed your best mate.

  1. Bones

While it may be tempting to throw your dog a bone, there are risks associated with this. Bones can break your dog’s teeth, cause choking and perforate the lining of the stomach and intestines. Plus, fat from bones can contribute to costly health conditions like pancreatitis and gastritis.

Data from PetSure, the power behind petinsurance.com.au, shows in 2022, the average claim amount for conditions caused by ingesting bones was $1,177* – yikes! So instead of feeding your fur baby bones, grab a bag of carrots for your dog to munch on instead. When it comes to dental care for dogs – the best thing you can do is brush those pearly whites!

  1. Processed treats

Research found that excessive consumption of jerky treats as well as sweet potato treats manufactured overseas may contribute to kidney disease in dogs. Stick with natural treats like fresh peas, green beans, or dehydrate your own yummy sweet potato treats.

  1. “Sugar-free” snacks

Many human food items labelled “sugar free” contain artificial sweeteners and Xylitol, which can be toxic and even be fatal for dogs and cats.

Common foods that contain Xylitol and to steer clear of include:

  • Baked goods
  • Yogurt/ice-cream
  • Protein supplements
  • Mints, gum, candy
  • Soft drinks
  • Toothpaste and mouth washes

If your doggo has a sweet tooth, try offering them nutritional food options instead like carobs or a small piece of fruit like apple or watermelon instead.

  1. Cheese

It’s natural right? Dogs love it too, so why would I never feed my dog cheese? Firstly, cheese is fattening and unless you’re doing precise calculations of how many calories your pup is eating in a day, even a small amount of cheese may add substantially to your dog’s daily calorie intake.

Cheese also has varying amounts of lactose, which most pets are intolerant to. So, ditch the dairy and try offering your pup a small piece of banana instead.

 

When it comes to treating your pup, why risk it? With plenty of healthy alternatives available, play it safe and stick to food items that are less likely to cause your pup a tummy ache or land you a visit to the vet!

 

References:

Outcome of Acquired Fanconi Syndrome Associated with Ingestion of Jerky Treats in 30 Dogs https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9686646/#:~:text=In%2030%20dogs%20with%20spontaneously,decreased%20appetite%2C%20vomiting%20and%20diarrhea.

Pet Food Standards

US agencies warn about safety of raw pet food

Zoonotic bacteria and parasites found in raw meat-based diets for cats and dogs