Please DONT Feed My Dog

This magestic fur beast is Rupert. He is a *almost* two year old German Shepherd / English Bulldog cross.

He loves to be talked to, walked, pet and most of all he loves to turbo around the dog park (for 17 minutes tops until he gets tired.)

Rupert also loves to eat. He eats the ears off his toys and throws them up on our bed. He eats shoelaces. The cats food (which is why Taco now has to dine atop our kitchen table.)

Rupert will eat ANYTHING. But he shouldn’t.

We love to entertain guests, and often have a house full of our friends & family. Obviously everyone who steps in the door falls in love with Rupert, and more often than not they show that love by sharing their food with my dog. I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I have spotted someone across the room slipping Rupert a wayward piece of pizza crust or a chip.

I know you think you are showing him love and it won’t hurt. But you’re wrong.

DON’T FEED MY DOG.

Yes I sometimes share my food with Rupert. But I also know what he can tolerate, and what he can’t. Seeing me share with my dog does not give you license to do the same.

Here are the reasons you should not feed MY dog, or anyone else’s for that matter:

1.) Just like humans, dogs have allergies. Rupert is a bulldog, a breed that is extremely susceptible to this affliction. He does not do well with anything containing wheat (maybe gluten is his problem.) I don’t know for sure what his specific allergies are, because they are impossibly expensive to find out. I do know bread, and milkbones are his worst enemy. You think you are showing him affection by sharing. What you are actually giving him is at least 24 hours of severe itchiness where he scratches off spots of his beautiful soft fur. You are also giving him diarrhea he cannot control. This diarrhea often shows up in my bed, in the middle of the night, and makes him whimper and shake in shame.

2.) There is a long list of foods that are toxic to dogs. This list contains things like garlic, onions, etc. You may not even know that what you’re eating contains these ingredients. Do not risk my dog’s health by offering him a bite of your snack.

3.) Many dog owners are striving to train their pet not to eat food offered by others. This training lowers the risk of their dog eating a toxic substance being tossed in their yard or handed to them in public (YES, this happens). You sharing food with them screws that training right up. It’s not up to you to decide whether or not pursuing that training is right or wrong or stupid. Maybe it is. Maybe it isn’t. But it’s not your dog. And it’s not your decision. Keep your food to yourself.

4.) Sure, dogs can handle some human food. But perhaps that particular dog has already had some of whatever you are hoping to share that day. Too much of anything can be bad. So keep it to yourself.

5.) If you think seeing the dog’s owner share the exact same thing gives you permission to share yours, you’re wrong. Like #4 states, too much of a good think can be a bad thing.

6.) Some people share human food with their animals, and some people do not. And some people change their mind from day to day. That is their right, as the dog’s family. If you want to share, ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS ask first. If the answer is no, respect it.

7.) Sharing human food with animals can reinforce negative behaviours like begging, annoyingly lurking the dinner table, yanking unattended food, or stealing crackers out of a baby’s hands.

Here is how to show love to Rupert in an appropriate way:

1.) Pet him. Snuggle him. Scratch him.

2.) Ask me if he has any dog treats, and may you give him one.

3.) Wanna take him for a walk? To the dog park? Go for it. Let him stretch his legs and that will make him happier than any piece of cheeseburger ever could.

4.) He has a pile of toys he loves to show off. Grab one and toss it around with him.

5.) There is a gross, half deflated soccer ball in my backyard. Go kick it- it will make his life. Just be prepared when he brings it back to you to do it again.

Please, whenever you visit a household with an animal, make sure you ask permission to pet the animal, and to share treats with the animal. This is common sense, and common courtesy.

Do you have tips add to this list? Comment below or send me an email at AmandaChappellPropp@gmail.com