Sitting down to share a meal is one of the strongest ways to bond with your family. However, there are several factors to consider before inviting your furry family to join in this ritual. Health and behavior can be promoted – or compromised – based on the choices you make.

The best course of action to take, if you would like to share your food with a pet, is to speak with your veterinarian first to learn what to avoid. Pets are as vulnerable to the truism “you are what you eat” as their owners are.

Avoid sharing processed foods, or anything too salty or fatty. In addition to concerns about obesity and overall health, some human foods pose genuine and more immediate health risks. Chocolate, raw garlic and onion are at the top of the list of things not to share.

The simplest things are the safest – boiled or baked chicken (no skin or bones) or broiled steak. If you are preparing sauces for these types of entrees, set a cooked piece aside for your pet without spices, salts, pepper or sauces added. Or, choose pieces that can be trimmed to remove any potentially disagreeable seasonings.

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