25/07/2025
https://www.facebook.com/share/1CJwQJAsNN/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Why Dogs Prefer Table Food Over Kibble: A Scientific and Behavioral Perspective
By Doc Abel Manalo
SDN Dog Food
Manalo K9
IAGD
As someone who has worked with dogs for decades, I often get asked: “Doc, bakit mas gusto ng a*o ko ang table food kaysa sa dog food—even premium brands like SDN?” The answer lies in a mix of biology, behavior, and how we unintentionally train our dogs through our daily habits.
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1. Dogs Have a Superpowered Sense of Smell
A dog’s nose is up to 100,000 times more sensitive than ours. Table food—especially lutong bahay with oil, garlic, or meat—produces stronger and more complex smells. To dogs, these aromas are irresistible, even if the food isn't ideal for their health.
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2. Palatability vs. Nutrition
Premium dog foods like SDN are scientifically formulated to be complete and balanced. They're high in meat, rich in nutrients, and free from harmful fillers. But since they’re not sea*oned like human food, they might seem “boring” to dogs used to oily, salty, or sweet flavors.
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3. Emotional Reinforcement
Dogs are emotional learners. If they’ve been given tasty scraps from the table before—especially hand-fed—they remember the experience. They’ll start to ignore their regular food and hold out, hoping for something more exciting (and more sinful).
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4. Salt, Oil, and Sugar Are Addictive
Just like with humans, high levels of salt, fat, and sugar can stimulate the brain’s pleasure centers. This can make dogs crave table food and reject even the healthiest kibble. But this comes with long-term risks like obesity, pancreatitis, and kidney problems.
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5. Table Food Becomes a Social Bond
Feeding dogs from the table often feels like love. But from the dog’s point of view, it also becomes a bonding moment—and the begging, staring, or whining is reinforced over time. The more you give in, the more they learn that rejecting dog food works.
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✅ What I Personally Recommend
I’ve found that a small amount of lightly cooked ground beef works well as a kibble topper. No salt, no sea*oning—just gently cooked to bring out the aroma. Mix a bit into their SDN kibble, and most picky eaters will dive right in.
Also, I always remind our clients to:
Stop table scraps completely
Stick to feeding schedules (15–20 minutes rule, then remove)
Warm up kibble slightly with water
Use healthy toppers like boiled egg or liver powder, if needed
Be consistent. Don’t negotiate with terrorists (a.k.a. cute dogs begging at the table 😅)
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Final Thoughts
Feeding your dog is one of the most emotional parts of pet parenting. But long-term health always trumps short-term enjoyment. With a little structure and consistency, your dog can go back to loving their kibble—especially if it's made from more than 90% real meat like SDN.
Love your dog by feeding them right. 🐶❤️
