Health & Grooming Archives - Page 13 of 13

Everyone loves food. It’s nourishing, comforting, fun. We all enjoy sharing things we love with those we love…even our pets. However, when it comes to sharing human food with our curious, doe-eyed Schnauzers there is a lot to know (and avoid). I learned early. Our kids would gladly share any of their lunches or dinners with our Schnauzer, Livi, so I had to be sure we all knew what she could eat and what she couldn’t. So which human foods should Schnauzers never eat? Schnauzers cannot eat chocolate, avocados, mushrooms, onions, some nuts, fat and sweeteners, and grapes or raisins, as well as several beverages like coffee, tea, and alcohol. We would all agree that your Schnauzer should be well-fed with the right types of food. A healthy, appropriate diet will extend the life and enhance the well-being of your lovable companion. Although many human foods are safe for Schnauzers, you should approach sharing your human diet armed with information and a bit of caution. In addition, there are several opinions about whether or not you should even share human food with Schnauzers. One the other hand, there are options like the BARF diet which is an acronym for “Bones and Raw Food” or “Biologically Appropriate Raw Food” and is founded on the belief that a dog’s diet should consist of what they evolved to survive on….meaning, a raw diet full of wild, uncooked meats and greens. Sharing is caring only when it is safe and appropriate. THE SCHNAUZER COLLECTIVE For now, let’s simply take a deeper look at the human foods you can generally share with your Schnauzer and, perhaps more importantly, the foods you should never offer. Human Foods You Should NEVER Share with Your Schnauzer The digestive system of a dog is quite different from that of human beings, and some of our everyday foods could be fatal if shared. Part of the risk is that many of these foods can actually appeal to Schnauzers and initially taste good to them. It will be your responsibility to keep them inaccessible. The most dangerous foods include: Caffeine, Chocolate, Coffee, and Tea Affect the heart of your Schnauzer and could lead to a stroke, and possibly death. Caffeine poisoning can also come from caffeinated soda, diet pills, and headache medicine. Alcohol Potential effects include intoxication, vomiting, coma, or even death. For this reason, dogs should also not eat rotting apples which contain an alcohol-like byproduct. Avocados Can cause serious health issues and death. The entire avocado plant (the fruit itself, the pits, the plant and leaves) contain persin which is a fungicidal toxin. Grapes and Raisins May cause fatal kidney failure. Dogs under 10 pounds have been known to react badly to even just one raisin. Ham Too high in fat and may cause pancreatitis, which is already a weakness for Schnauzers. Mushrooms May cause death due to extreme level of toxins. Onions Contain a toxin which destroys red blood cells in dogs, causing anemia. Garlic Less toxic than onions, but it is dangerous and can also destroy red blood cells, ultimately leading to anemia. Fatty Substances Can lead to Pancreatitis, a serious disease to which Schnauzers are genetically prone. Macadamia Nuts Can weaken Schnauzers and are especially hard on their muscles. Walnuts Extremely toxic to Schnauzers because mold and fungus grow on these nuts during the rainy season. Xylitol A sweetener that substitutes sugar in some human foods such as peanut butter. In dogs, it causes liver failure, which, if not treated early, leads to death. Avoid all “sugarless” food such as sugarless human treats and peanut butter. Spices, especially hot spices Cause diarrhea, vomiting, and potentially stomach ulcers. Yeast Dough Raw dough (specifically the yeast in raw dough) can lead to extremely painful gas buildup and can even lead to a stomach rupture. Milk and Dairy Products Generally safe unless your Schnauzer is lactose intolerant or overweight. As your Schnauzer ages, you may want to avoid sharing these foods. Human Foods You Can Share With Your Schnauzer There are many varieties of commercial dog foods available, and many of them are high-quality, healthy options….especially when it comes to protein, which we will explore below. However, there is also every reason to share healthy, safe human foods with your Schnauzer. Some of the harmless (and often even beneficial) human foods include: Fruits Bananas – are good sources of Vitamins B6 and C, potassium, and magnesium. They are as vital to the dogs as they are to human beings. Nonetheless, feeding Schnauzers with bananas should be moderate due to the high sugar content in the fruit. To make it tastier, you could mix with Xylitol-free peanut butter.Watermelon – This fruit has a high amount of water, which helps keep your Schnauzer hydrated. The fruit also has vitamins A, C, and B6. Watermelon seeds could have serious implications such as blocking the intestines, so be sure to remove the seeds.Blueberries – This fruit has high fiber and antioxidant properties. For aging dogs, antioxidants are beneficial for overall health and extending an active, happy life.Apples – They are also a perfect source of Vitamins A and C for your Schnauzer. Nevertheless, feeding your pet with apples that are going bad could lead to alcohol poisoning, which may result in the death. Be sure to completely peel the apples and cut them into small pieces to avoid choking. Vegetables Carrots – In addition to being a good source of Vitamin A, carrots also improve the health of your dog's teeth and skin. However, carrots are a sugary vegetable and could contribute to diabetes and weight gain. Just use in moderation.Cucumber – This vegetable is perfect if your Schnauzer needs to shed a little weight. The taste is refreshing and unique for him, but the calories are very low and can help control his calorie intake.Green beans – Plain green beans are helpful to dogs because they contain Iron, Vitamin K, and Calcium. In addition, like other beans, they contain protein and will help to build muscle and overall strength. They are also a great, healthy snack if your Schnauzer needs a lower calorie diet. Meats Beef – This is a popular type of meat for dogs. It’s relatively inexpensive and nutritious. You can buy round or chuck cuts, or even stick with ground beef.Turkey meat – It is also found in manufactured dog food since it is a good source of protein. You need to cook thoroughly before giving it to your pet. Removal of fat is encouraged since excess of it could cause pancreas problems.Chicken – Boiled and unseasoned chicken is okay for your pet, especially when they have stomach issues.Pork – This meat contains high levels of fat. The Schnauzer should consume minimal quantities of pork. It should be well-cooked and not flavored. Bacon and other processed pork products should not be given to your pets because they contain high amounts of salt.Fish – The most preferred are shrimp, tuna, and salmon fish since they contain high amounts of protein. The Omega-3 positively impacts the immune system of the dog. Vitamin B found in these types of fishes enhances the digestive system of a Schnauzer. It should be well-cooked to eliminate dangerous parasites. Dairy Products Small quantities of cheese, milk, and other dairy products are safe for your Schnauzer. Too much of these products, however, could lead to digestive problems in dogs because they are high in fat. Other Foods White rice is also a good meal for Schnauzers, especially those who have stomach upsets. It digests quickly and helps in hardening the stool. However, Schnauzers are also prone to Diabetes, so they should take it in small quantities since white rice contains a substantial amount of sugar. Your Schnauzer Needs Protein. Let’s Talk About Meat! While your loving Schnauzer can truly benefit from the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in fruits and vegetables, what they really need is a solid amount of protein. The recommended amount of protein your Schnauzer (and most every dog breed) needs is based on dry food with the water content completely excluded from the calculation. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) publishes guidelines for healthy pet foods for different life stages. In addition to documenting vitamin, mineral, and fat needs, they detail important protein needs. Here is the breakdown: Puppies should eat foods that consist of at least 22.5% proteinPregnant or lactating females should eat foods the consist of at least 22.5% proteinAdult dogs should eat foods that consist of at least 18% protein The good news is that most of the dry, high-quality commercial dog foods on the market already meet, and sometimes exceed, these recommendations. Okay, great. But, let’s be honest. Even if you know the amount of protein your Schnauzer should be getting each day, most Schnauzer owners have no idea how to measure their dog’s protein consumption on a “dry matter” basis. Dry dog food should suffice when it comes to protein, but whether you feed dry food or provide protein with actual meat you prepare, it’s good to know that dogs need about 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight per day. The most straightforward way to ensure that your Schnauzer is getting enough protein is to purchase dry dog food appropriate for his or her stage of life. You can also check to see that the packaged food complies with AAFCO recommendations. In addition to dry dog food, feel free to share your beef, chicken, pork, and some fish with your Schnauzer…she will love you for it! So, Sharing Human Food is Caring, BUT… We all love our Schnauzers, and if you are like me, you were raised to be kind, generous, and willing to share with those you love (and even with those you don’t). While these are all great qualities, sharing is caring only when it is safe and appropriate. Now that you know that not all human foods are good for your Schnauzer, you can share your human food safely and confidently.