There is a common saying that pets should not eat "people food." The myth is that feeding pets people food will not only give them diarrhea, but it will also turn them into beggars at dinner time. Depending on what kind of pet food you feed them and where, loose stools and begging can be avoided. There are some simple guidelines to follow when it comes to sharing the fridge and pantry with your pooch.
First, digestive problems can occur for a couple of reasons. One, when we say it's ok to feed "people food", we are not talking about potato chips, chocolate cake, soda-pop, and deep fried onion rings – foods that are sure to give your pets a tummy ache. We are talking about "real" human grade food that has not had the wholesomeness and nutrition processed right out if it. Fresh grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, herbs and meat make for great homemade pet food.
The diarrhea caused by wholesome, natural pet food is most likely your pet's body going through a detox process as a result of the healthy pet food flushing toxins from the body. This process should be short lived. Although not a problem for most pets, you should also stay away from citrus fruits, grapes/raisins, onions and spicy foods when it comes to sharing your grocieries with your pets. Remember, the your pet's digestive system will need to "wake up" if you are shifting from a bland over-processed diet to a raw pet food full of fresh flavors and complex nutrients.
Once those adjustments occur, it will be smooth sailing. Oh, and begging at the dinner table should not occur anymore than usual, unless of course you are feeding your pet these new healthy food items directly from your own plate at dinnertime. The best way to feed people food is at a designated feeding time in your pet's own dish. If you do this consistently and avoid feeding directly from your plate -- your dog shouldn't bother you at dinner time for anything more than a pat on the head.
