Table Food and Standard Schnauzers

Although it can affect any dog, certain breeds are prone to a condition called pancreatitis. Schnauzers are among them. Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas caused by digestive enzymes leaking out and essentially digesting the pancreas itself. It can be sudden or chronic, meaning occurring over time. Diet is often the culprit, particularly when it includes human table food. Schnauzers who are fed high-fat diets, greasy human food or table scraps, and those who have a knack for getting into trash, have higher instances of pancreatitis.

Certain table foods are safe for schnauzers. White rice cooked in extra water, or overcooked to the consistency of porridge, is one of them. It should be completely plain, containing no sugar, or flavored with low-sodium broth. Sources of lowfat protein, such as cooked chicken breast, boiled hamburger meat and lowfat cottage cheese, are safe. These foods are good for schnauzers who are recovering from pancreatitis, so they are also safe for healthy schnauzers.

Certain foods are unsafe for all dogs. They include avocados, onions, garlic, leeks, any chocolate or caffeine, any form of alcohol, grapes, raisins, milk, macadamia nuts, any form of candy or chewing gum, peaches, plums, persimmons, raw eggs or meat, and yeast dough.

While it may seem counterintuitive, bones are another thing no dog should eat. They pose such a threat that the FDA warns against it. Dangers posed by bones include broken teeth, getting stuck in the esophagus, windpipe, stomach or intestines and peritonitis. Peritonitis is a bacterial condition of the abdomen caused by bones poking holes in the stomach or intestines. Many of these conditions are potentially fatal. The FDA is even opposed to feeding raw bones of any kind. In short, according to the FDA, the only bones your Schnauzer should get are bone-shaped doggy biscuits. Not every veterinary authority agrees, but the fact is cooked bones are more likely to splinter, increasing risk of perforation.