Feeding Table Scraps

Here at Beastie Boutique, we are firm believers that a dog/cat should have a fresh-food diet, Ideally as close to their ancestral diet as possible.

In talking with our customers about their pets, we need to take into consideration what is going on with the pet and how much the customer wants to make changes to their diets and to what degree.

So one of the easiest things we can talk to a customer about when it comes to fresh food is one that incorporates adding “people food.” First let’s throw away the concept of “cat” food and “dog” food, and just think “food.”  The food you feed your pet should be biologically suited to meet your dog’s or cat’s needs.

Grocery store dog and cat chows may be nutritionally “complete,” (except for missing co-factors of enzymes and probiotics) but it is akin to you eating a meal replacement of cereal three times a day for the rest of your life.

Berries are one of the best treats you can offer. Bite size and packed with antioxidants. Many pets enjoy zucchini and cantaloupe.

My favorite training treats for dogs include green veggies and raw nuts (remember, the only nuts you should never feed your pets are macadamia nuts).Lean meats are best for dogs and cats; remember to remove any skin or excess fat.

Dark green leafy vegetables are also good for your dogs and cats — your pets are chewing on your houseplants for a reason after all.

If you can, avoid giving your carnivorous companions biologically inappropriate foods, including grains, such as oats, soy, millet, wheat, or rice. Dogs and cats do not have a carbohydrate requirement and feeding your pets these pro-inflammatory foods creates unnecessary metabolic roadblocks to health.

A lot of times we hear, “My vet says not to give table scraps.” Or, “I thought it is bad to feed table scraps.”

So where does that come from. If we go back in time, research shows that shortly after the invention of processed pet foods, manufacturers were having a hard time convincing pet parents to make the switch from foods in their refrigerators to their commercial pet foods.

So in 1964, the pet food industry, along with the Pet Food Institute, joined together with a whole bunch of marketing dollars and launched one of the most influential campaigns the pet world had ever seen: the “Ban All Table Scraps from your Pets’ Bowls” campaign!

Through thousands of newspapers, magazines, and news stations, the public was warned about the dangers of table food scraps or “human food” and the importance of feeding “processed” commercial pet food. From there, the giant smear campaign took off! Not only did this clever campaign work, but it was so impactful that now, 50 years later, folks are still in fear of offering anything that is not labeled pet food.