Veterinarians warn pet owners to think twice before feeding dogs leftovers like scrambled eggs or grilled salmon from their plates. “Most of us don’t realize how calorie-dense human food can be for our pets,” said Lisa Melvin, co-author of a new study and a veterinarian at British pet company Pet Range. She said this is especially true for small dogs and breeds prone to obesity, like pugs and Labradors. Various studies estimate that 25 to 44 percent of pet dogs worldwide are overweight. One possible reason is that feeding dogs human food boosts their calorie intake and raises their risk of obesity.
In their research, British veterinarians looked at the recommended daily calorie intake for dogs of different sizes. Very small dogs, like Chihuahuas, should consume about 247 calories a day. Small dogs, such as pugs, need around 440 calories. Medium-sized dogs, like Beagles, require about 739 calories, while large breeds, such as Dalmatians, need 1,092 calories. Very large dogs, like Labrador Retrievers, need about 1,408 calories, and extra-large breeds, like Rottweilers, require about 1,701 calories. Based on these figures, the veterinarians checked the calorie content of popular human leftovers people share with their dogs. Two slices of bacon might seem reasonable, but that amount provides 58.5% of a very small dog’s daily calories and 8.5% of a very large dog’s daily needs.
Two other popular meat items people share with their pets are sausages and fried chicken, which can also contribute to weight gain. One large sausage contains about 27% of a small dog’s daily calories, 16% for a medium dog, and 11% for a large dog.
It’s not just meat. Scrambled eggs are high in calories, too: the calories in one egg equal roughly 31% of a very small dog’s daily intake. A small slice of cheddar accounts for about 10% of their calorie needs, according to the Daily Mail. Melvin says obesity can have serious consequences for dogs, harming their bone health, heart, and overall well-being. If a dog is gaining excess weight, help them return to a healthy weight as soon as possible. Consult a veterinarian; they can recommend a balanced diet that excludes human food.
