Does your Maltipoo stare at you whenever you eat? Are you tempted to give them a bite of your food? Feeding your Maltipoo a bit of human food can feel like an act of love. However, not all human food is safe for dogs to eat. Learn what your Maltipoo can and can’t eat and when to consult a vet.
What Human Foods Can Maltipoos Eat?
Your Maltipoo can enjoy eggs, fish, turkey, chicken, beef, plain yogurt, cooked pumpkin, peanut butter, and blueberries. Meats should be fully cooked and free of bones and chunks of fats. Plain foods are best; avoid spices and sweeteners.
Human foods are not a replacement for high-quality pet food. Your Maltipoo needs a balanced diet with the right amount of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals for its life stage. Talk to your vet if you have any concerns about your Maltipoo’s diet or weight.
Which Human Foods Can Be Toxic to Maltipoos?
There are several human foods that your Maltipoo shouldn’t eat.1 Some foods like dairy and coconut fruit aren’t toxic but can cause an upset stomach. Onions and garlic are toxic in large quantities.
The foods you want to be most concerned about are the ones that can have serious consequences: alcohol, chocolate, coconut water, any food containing xylitol, and yeast dough.
If your Maltipoo eats toxic food, quickly assess what they ate and the quantity. For example, some types of chocolate are more harmful than others. Your vet will need to know if your Maltipoo ate a piece of baker’s chocolate or a milk chocolate bar. Then, call your vet or 24-hour animal clinic right away.
Is It Bad to Give Maltipoos Table Scraps?
Letting your Maltipoo lick your plate or eat your lunch leftovers isn’t the best idea. You and your dog have different dietary needs. Maltipoos that eat a lot of fat-heavy human food may be at risk for pancreatitis,2 which research has linked to diabetes.
Another danger in giving your Maltipoo table scraps is the excess calories. A spayed or neutered 10 pound adult Maltipoo needs to eat around 349 calories each day.3 A few bites of human food can quickly add up and cause your dog to gain excess weight. Being obese has long-term health effects,4Â such as an increased risk of cancer, liver disease, and osteoarthritis. Overweight Maltipoos may have difficulty walking and getting enough exercise to stay healthy, further perpetuating poor health.
Final Thoughts
The best food you can give your Maltipoo is high-quality dog food. Look for a formula that matches their life stage and dietary needs. That being said, the occasional piece of human food is okay. Avoid leftovers off your plate and go for single-ingredient foods like cooked meat and eggs, plain yogurt, and peanut butter. Avoid foods containing xylitol, as even small amounts of this artificial sweetener are toxic to dogs. Consult with your vet or a board-certified veterinary nutritionist if you have any questions about what to feed your Maltipoo.
Featured Image Credit: Polina Tankilevitch, Pexels
