Short answer
Unfortunately short-term and long-term effects on the body from eating dog food are unknown. What is known is that dog food is not created with human consumption in mind and may contain several ingredients that would make most people's stomach cringe.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
The good news is that eating your pooch's food probably won't kill you and it does, in fact, contain several nutrients, with ingredients largely looking similar to that found in human food. The bad news is that those ingredients aren't exactly the same. Dog food is made from scraps - which includes animal byproducts such as bones, blood, brains, and udders. Also, while you will find protein, carbs, and fats in dog food, the amounts are designed for a dog's metabolism, not a human's.
Perhaps the worst thing is that you quite simply will not know what you are eating. Unlike human food, dog food is not subject to the same standards and regulations imposed by the FDA and it is not uncommon for rats and other critters to run around in a dog food factory. So, while it may not make it to the ingredients list, there could very well be some rodent feces or ground up bugs in the dog food you buy.
Another risk is that dog food is not controlled for bacteria as strictly, meaning your chances of catching harmful microorganisms such as salmonella are greater if you consume dog food. The dry dog food may also be a choking hazard for young children.
The actual long-term effects of human dog food consumption is not known, but considering you don't know what is really inside, it's best to avoid it completely. Just as people don't tend to give their dogs the best portions of meat and eat the scrap themselves, dog food doesn't contain any grade A meats either.
Possible short-term side effects
- infection from microorganisms
Ingredients to be aware of
- animal byproducts
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bacteria
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"other"
Healthier alternatives
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Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 03-20-2016
Last updated: 12-10-2016
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Jeff Volling
Published on: 03-20-2016
Last updated: 12-10-2016
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