Re: Dogs Digestive System - why can't dogs eat table food?

The reason dogs shouldn't eat human food has has to do with the food itself 
and the animals digestive tract.  Their digestive tract is very similar to 
ours.  For this reason, dogs have been used in medical research to develop 
the use of insulin in human diabetics, as well as other important medical 
advances.

Dog food is formulated to be complete and ballanced, unlike human food.  We 
are suppose to eat portions of each food group to get a complete and 
ballanced diet.  Much of the foods humans typically eat are high in 
carbohydrates and fat (including cereal and milk).  Salads aren't bad as 
far as carbs and fat go, but there's not much nutrition in them either.  

Dogs digestive tracts are sensitive to change.  If they have been eating 
the same dog food for a long period of time, the bacterial flora of the 
digestive tract becomes accustomed to the food.  An abrupt change is not 
the the animal's best interest.  The result is usually not life threatning, 
but can cause pain, vomiting and/or diarrhea.  To add something to the 
diet, or change the food, make it a gradual change to minimize the upset.  

Dogs thrive on a single diet day in and day out and do not demand variety. 
In fact, studies have proven that a dog will choose a diet that it is 
accustomed to eating. 

Probably 75% of well cared for pets are overweight.  Feeding table scraps 
increases the caloric intake of a dog greatly.  Remember, that your dogs 
only weighs 1/2 - 1/16 of your weight, so 100 calories to your dog could 
equal 200 - 1600!

Thanks for the question.

Stay healthy.