Today, November 1st is Cook For Your Pet Day. No doubt Fido would be more than happy to help you celebrate. Our canine pals are always interested in what’s going on in the kitchen. They’re also really good at getting us to share our culinary creations. That may be cute, but it’s bad petiquette. It can also be dangerous! A local Washington DC vet addresses doggy begging in this article.

Doggy Theatrics

Fido has been our friend and companion for as much as 30,000 years. It’s probably safe to assume that he’s been begging for food scraps for roughly 29,999 years and 11 months. He’s definitely had a long time to perfect that sad stare! You may need to steel yourself a bit. Ask your vet for specific advice on what your canine bff should be eating. Let that—not that adorable furry face—determine what he gets.

Curbing Bad Habits

You should never punish your pooch for bad habits, such as begging. However, you can sternly tell him not to beg.

Dangers Of Begging

Begging isn’t just an issue because of manners. There are real-life consequences, some of which can be severe. For one thing, there’s a chance that Fido could someday convince him to offer him something that isn’t safe. Meat on the bone is a good example of this. Cooked bones get very brittle, and can break into razor-sharp shards. Begging also plays a role in the pet obesity epidemic. Plus, if Fido thinks he’ll be rewarded, he may continually get pushier and pushier.

Team Effort

A united front is key! Make sure that everyone in your home is on the same page. If you have a puppy, teach little Fido proper manners from Day One.

Compromise

We know, we know: those sad eyes are hard to resist. If you absolutely can’t help yourself, at least make your furry pal work for his treat. Or, just offer your pup a carrot instead of that piece of bacon he’s eyeballing.

Option

Begging or not, never give your canine companion anything unsafe. Some dangerous foods include garlic, onion, and chives; avocado; grapes, currants, and raisins; chocolate; alcohol; and xylitol. Meat on the bone should also be a hard no, as are raw dough and yeast. Ask your vet for more information. As your Washington DC animal clinic, we’re here to provide top-notch care. Contact us anytime!