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8 foods you thought were safe for your dog but could be making them overweight Credits: Social Media
By Ellissa Bain

8 foods you thought were safe for your dog but could be making them overweight

By Ellissa Bain

As a dog owner, you’re probably familiar with the foods you can’t give your dog. Grapes, chocolate, avocado and onions are all extremely toxic – but even some of the ones you thought were safe aren’t actually great for them.

Obesity in dogs is on the rise, which poses loads of worrying health risks. To keep your furry friend at a healthy weight, it’s important to feed them a balanced diet full of protein and only offer fattening treats in moderation.

A gay man feeding his dalmatian dog a piece of his croissant and jam
Sitting outdoors and eating breakfast on an eco glamping vacation. Credit: Richard Drury (Getty Images)

8 foods that could be making your dog overweight

Angelo Sorbello, pet wellness expert and CEO of Pet Sprint, warns that most people don’t think about how many calories are in their dog’s food.

Sharing your dinner with them seems harmless, but some foods are really high in sugar and fat, so can easily lead to weight gain if they are given too much.

Obesity can lead to diabetes, arthritis and heart disease, the American Kennel Club explains, all of which can cut years off your dog’s life.

1. Cheese

Many owners love to give their dog pieces of cheese, but it’s full of fat so should only be given in moderation.

2. Cooked meat scraps

Those fatty meat trimmings you don’t want are full of calories, so it’s best to only give your dog lean pieces of meat instead.

3. Peanut butter

While peanut butter is safe if it doesn’t contain xylitol and often used to hide pills, it’s really high in calories and sugar.

4. Dog treats

Just because dog treats are designed for dogs doesn’t mean they are healthy. Too many can quickly make your pet overweight.

Man feeding his dog some cheese during family dinner
Candid shot of mature man giving his Labradoodle a piece of cheese while sitting at the dining table with his family, having dinner. Credit: fotostorm (Getty Images)

5. Bacon

No dog will ever say no to a piece of bacon, but its high fat and sodium content can significantly contribute to weight gain.

6. Ice cream

Giving your pooch some ice cream at the beach might seem harmless, but the sugar and fat isn’t great for them.

7. Bread

Many like to throw their dog sandwich crusts and toast scraps, but bread is packed with carbohydrates that dogs dont need.

8. Hot dogs

Similar to bacon, hot dogs and sausages are extremely high in calories and could easily make your dog put on weight.

To put things into perspective, a small breed like a Chihuahua should only consume around 200-300 calories in the entire day, so one 43-calorie slice of bacon is a whole quarter of their allowance!