| The debate over feeding your beloved pet from | | | | If you do decide to feed your pet from the |
| your dinner plate has been around for years. I | | | | dinner table, make sure that it is a treat, and like |
| think is all boils down to the question, "What type | | | | all treats it should not comprise more than 10% |
| of table food, and how much is ok?" Most | | | | of your dog's total diet. |
| veterinarians I have talked to agree that it's ok to | | | | Lastly, it is important to keep in mind that feeding |
| give your pet a very small portion of table food | | | | your pet from the table can cause undesirable |
| as long as they; A.) are low in fat, B.) are low in | | | | behavior such as begging - which includes whining |
| sugar, C.) are not bones. | | | | and barking, and can encourage steeling of food |
| Bones; (such as ribs and steak bones) tend to | | | | from the table unattended. I once had a Saint |
| become dry and brittle when cooked, which can | | | | Bernard that ate our entire Sunday Dinner roast in |
| cause them to splinter. Chicken, and other fowl | | | | a matter of a few seconds when my back was |
| bones, are hollow - which make them great for | | | | turned. |
| flight - but can cause them to splinter if eaten. | | | | I often warn people with small children to never |
| Never give you pet candy, spicy food, or fat | | | | let their kids feed the dog from their hand. Once |
| trimmed off your steak - if so, you are just | | | | this practice is started it can be very difficult for |
| asking for trouble, and your pet will pay the price. | | | | your dog to understand the difference from food |
| Instead, offer him small bits of vegetables, lean | | | | that your child is offering, from your child's lunch |
| chicken, or other lean meats. | | | | of a peanut butter sandwich. |