Dogs

Can leftover food be fed to dogs?

Is it okay to feed dogs leftover rice and dishes? Folks, this is a very bad habit. There are many drawbacks to feeding dogs leftover food for a long time:

1. Excessive fats

One reason dogs should not eat leftover food is that the large amount of fats in leftovers can block dogs' blood vessels—don’t underestimate dogs’ digestive ability, but it is precisely because of their strong digestive system that dogs absorb unnecessary fats, which burdens their tiny blood vessels.

2. High salt content

Leftovers often contain too much salt, while dogs require much less salt (about 1/5 that of humans), and their food should be relatively bland. Excessive salt intake adversely affects dogs' health, causing symptoms like excessive drinking, diarrhea, hair loss, and nephritis. Furthermore, long-term feeding of high-salt leftovers can lead to itching and hair shedding, which is even more troublesome.

3. Easily spoiled

Dogs do not chew slowly, especially when hungry, and if the food is spoiled, they will still eat it without hesitation. Feeding dogs overnight leftovers often causes this problem, particularly in the summer when food spoils easily. Dogs eating spoiled food may suffer from mild gastroenteritis or even severe food poisoning and death.

4. Leftovers harm dogs' dental health

Hard dog kibble is good for dogs' teeth, but leftovers are very soft, so dogs cannot effectively scrape their tooth surfaces while eating. Furthermore, large amounts of food residue remain on the dogs’ teeth, forming tartar and endangering dental health.

5. Seasonings in food can irritate dogs' stomachs

Additionally, many seasonings in human food are harmful to dogs; spicy seasonings such as mustard, pepper, chili can irritate dogs' gastrointestinal tract, causing loss of appetite. Especially onions in human food are extremely toxic to dogs!

Therefore, overall, if you love your dog, do not feed them leftovers for a long time. The healthiest food for dogs is dog food, especially dry dog food. There are different types of dog food for various situations, which are not only nutritionally balanced but also good for teeth. It’s best to feed your dog dog food!