There is a great deal of controversy in the world of dog people as to what to feed your Boxer. The dog-food industry is a multi-million-dollar one, filled with choices for your dog. From wet or dry commercial foods to natural and raw foods, there are several decisions to make. One question that is frequently raised about feeding one's Boxer is, should you feed your Boxer table scraps?

Answer: It depends on what you are giving them and how you go about it. I think it is fair to say that home cooking for dogs is becoming more and more popular; it could be to do with the contamination in pet foods back in 2007. I won't go into that discussion now, but what I would like to provide you with is some health tips to keep in mind if you do feed your Boxer dog table scraps.

Go Slow- A Boxers digestive system doesn't do well with a sudden switch from commercial dry food to a heaping plate of people food. I would recommend to start by topping your dog's normal amount (less a little bit) and progressing from there, or keeping consistent to that.

Grains and Veggies- Although meat is the most desired and biggest contributor to a good diet, veggies, grains and some occasional fruit are also healthy for them.

Beware of Bones- Cooked bones can cause choking or intestinal tearing to your Boxer. I do not recommend giving your Boxer a bone from cooked meat.

Don't Feed Your Boxer What You Wouldn't Eat- OK, you are done eating off of your plate, everything that was appealing you finished, your dog is eyeballing your leftovers or non-healthy fat, gristle or skin. Or you have food on your plate that you couldn't finish because it was loaded with too much butter. Sound familiar? Maybe or maybe not, but here is my point: I personally wouldn't share these table scraps with my Boxer dog. Many Boxer's are prone to pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), and this can be life-threatening to your Boxer.

Concentrated cooked fat can often cause the pancreas to become inflamed-so sad but true. In addition, by feeding your dog often these unhealthy fats and the like, a pet owner could be creating a weight problem for their Boxer. While a puppy, Boxers probably won't have an issue with small amounts because they are so active, but it might become an issue as your Boxer dog ages. I think a good guideline to follow is to simply avoid letting your dog get bad fats from table scraps.

We all like to indulge our Boxer's but between pancreatitis, colitis and the strain on your Boxer's heart and joints from carrying excess weight, all one may be doing is contributing towards shortening their life span. The Boxer dog is an active, athletic and vigorous breed that should never be allowed to become overweight. The problem with giving a Boxer a hunk of steak that's all yummy and fatty looking is that once it's done once, it most likely means it will eventually happen again and then over and over. I will not sit here and tell you that I have never given my dog table scraps, nor that I never gave him a piece of leftover steak, but this was before reading the many books and before talking with many Veterinarians that advised me not to; I am happily sharing this information to you so that you can make a more informed and educated decision and to think twice before acting on your cute Boxer's face saying, "I would love to devour that for you Mommy/Daddy!"

Never Give Your Boxer These Foods- Chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, caffeine, alcohol and animal fats.

-Chocolate contains a compound called theobromine. It is present at higher concentrations in dark or baker's chocolate and is highly toxic to dogs.

-While not completely understood, grapes and raisins, even in small doses, are capable of causing complete kidney failure in Boxer dogs.

-Onions are toxic, either raw or cooked and any foods cooked with onions or containing them should not be given to your dog.

-Caffeine is very dangerous for dogs, and c'mon, does a Boxer really need caffeine? I couldn't imagine mine on it:)

-Any of amounts of alcohol is not recommended for your dog, enough said.

-Animal fats, including oil, are difficult to digest and once again can cause pancreatitis which can lead to death if not treated immediately.

You are the first line of defence when it comes to your Boxer's health. Bear these tips in mind in all your dealings concerning health care pertaining to your Boxer. If you are part of a large family, or just two of you, it is important for everyone in the house to be on the same page about the risks involved with toxic foods and fats than can cause serious health issues. A simple conversation at your next dinner could potentially save your Boxer's life. And remember, as cute as your Boxer looks at you, it's better to replace the unhealthy table scraps with a dog treat for their good behaviour or unbearable adorable face.

Boxer dogs are amazing animals with intelligence, agility, good looks and personality. By learning more about their breed and applying techniques that engage both of you, you will create an amazing relationship that will last a life time. Go to http://www.boxerdogblog.com now for your FREE Newsletter with tips and techniques to create a happy relationship with your Boxer.