If you were to list your dog’s favorite things, what do you think would come first? We suspect that walks, car rides, and belly rubs would all rank highly, but it wouldn’t be surprising to find food at the very top of the list. Our canine pals certainly do love to eat! However, some of our four-legged buddies could probably stand to work on their petiquette. Read on as an Oshawa, ON vet discusses Fido’s table manners.

Eating Too Fast

Some dogs love food so much that they ‘wolf’ down their dinners… and sometimes eat so fast they can’t keep the food down. If your pup tends to inhale his supper, put a tennis ball in his bowl to slow him down. (Note: this really only works with kibble. If your furry buddy gets canned food, ask your vet for recommendations.)

Trash

Man’s Best Friend is nothing if not opportunistic. Fido may not hesitate to go through the trash in the hopes of scoring himself some yummy leftovers. This can be a very dangerous habit! Garbage can contain things that are hazardous to dogs, like can lids, plastic wrap, and bones, to name a few. Get a trashcan with a secure lid.

Begging

Is your pooch an expert beggar? If so, he’s not the only one! Man’s Best Friend has stood loyally by our sides for thousands of years. It probably didn’t take Fido very long to figure out that giving us that sad, pleading stare was a great way to score himself some food. Begging may be cute, but it’s actually bad petiquette. It’s also one of the reasons we have so many chubby canine patients. If you can’t resist your pet’s adorable theatrics, keep him crated or in another room during meals. And if you absolutely have to give in, offer your furry friend a carrot stick instead of that meatball he’s eyeing.

Food Aggression

Does your pup growl if someone approaches him while he’s eating? This is known as food aggression, and it can range from mild to severe. If you know or suspect that your canine companion has food aggression, ask your vet or pet behaviorist for advice on improving Fido’s behavior. Do you have questions or concerns about your pet’s health or care? We can help! Contact us, your Oshawa, ON animal clinic, today!