Neighbor's kid simply gives food to my dog
By Lee Ka
@kaka135 (14931)
Malaysia
March 9, 2013 8:36am CST
Well, I understand the kid may be just kind to give food to my dog, but I would be really appreciate if he can ask us for permission first. My dog is a Labrador Retriever, the vet already told us we can't simply give her any food, as her skin is very sensitive, and she might get sick. I tried to give her rice and bread, but the doctor said she can't take food with yeast, not to say other oily and salty food. We only give her the dog food.
Recently, my dog has been having skin problems, and vomiting several times. We do not understand why, but guessed maybe someone gave her some food. My another neighbor told us a few days ago, our neighbor's kid always give the dog pork. Though he has been telling the kid not to do so, but the kid still does. Sometimes we saw pork, chicken, bones leaving out of my gate, I was really shocked, my dog can't eat those food. Just now, the kid gave food to my dog again, and finally we got a chance to tell his parent not to do that anymore.
I was annoyed when others simply give her any food, this is not the first time, why can't those people ask before giving her food? It's just like people won't ask you when they want to carry your baby. There are some people treating the dog as a dog, well she is a dog, but I do treat her like my family. I feel sad and worried about her when she is sick. Hope the kid really understands the seriousness, and not to give food to my dog anymore.
2 people like this
12 responses
@maximax8 (31046)
• United Kingdom
9 Mar 13
Maybe you could invite the child and the parents over for tea. Then you can discuss your trips to the vet and that your doggie has a very sensitive tummy. You could say that you are the only person that should feed your dog. You must say you know they are kind and generous but your dog can't accept anymore tip bits. Then they will realize the serious situation. At the moment they think they are being lovely and thoughtful to your dog. They will be fine once you inform them gently of the situation. Your Labrador Retriever sounds so lovely. I have two miniature poodles and they have regular fairly top of the range dog food. They are fussy and have sensitive tummies. They are now having half wet and half dry. Dry food is great for their teeth. Good luck.
1 person likes this
@chiyosan (30183)
• Philippines
9 Mar 13
Hi max, I think the kid's parents would understand if you try to talk to them and explain that your dog must not be fed by their child as the dog is currently under medication. the kid was only trying to be nice, i suppose like many kids would if they see a cute dog they will either play with them or give them something to eat.
@kaka135 (14931)
• Malaysia
9 Mar 13
Hi maximax & chiyosan,
I wish I can call for a tea, but sad to say that we just don't have that "culture" in my neighborhood. Actually many people here let the dogs eat the food they eat (rice, cooked meat, etc) and bones too, that's why some people would offer those food to my dog too. I understand they are just being nice to my dog, it's just that many people may not know this will harm the dog. Yeah, hopefully by now, they won't give food to my dog anymore.
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
9 Mar 13
My chinese neighbor has always been giving my dogs foods and I really don't mind cos she is also animal lover. But I will not allow others to give my dogs foods as they might be giving them foods not fit for dog consumption. Every morning my good neighbor come with a packet of bread and each one of my dog will get a piece of bread.
1 person likes this
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
9 Mar 13
I know and feel your pain here! But I think we have to be as pro-active with our furry friends, as our children, protecting them in every manner necessary for their health and well-being. I am concerned as how your dog is accessible to this child, and glad you have finally talked to the parents, as that is where I would have started. How is this child getting food to your dog?
1 person likes this
@bounce58 (17385)
• Canada
12 Mar 13
I would admit that I would be one of those people who wouldn't know any better (I don't have a dog). I would give a dog food, and I would think that I was doing a great thing.
But reading this, I would be thinking twice now before I offer any dog anything. I would be asking first.
Maybe the neighbor's kid just needs to be told.
@Pegasus72 (1898)
•
10 Apr 13
You have to be careful that the kid is not giving the dog something to make it sick. Some people are very mean to other animals.
@mrswhitfield (2044)
• Indonesia
13 Mar 13
The kid may be so interest to your dog and he can't help to not give food to your dog. Make sure that his parent understand that you are not mean to their kid, but you want to prevent your dog because your dog has sensitive skin. Sometimes kids is too hard to understand about dog, for kids dog is an animal who will always eat what the had to them.
@tinkerick (1257)
• United States
11 Mar 13
Well hopefully now that you've told the parents it will stop.
If your dog is in an area where other people are able to reach her, you should probably post signs saying "Please Do Not Feed the Dog". Kind of like how parks post signs that say "Don't Feed the Animals"
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
11 Mar 13
But why do these neighbor kids have that easy access to your dog? Is your house not fenced? If not then your dog will most likely suffer for life because of this kids. If they won't listen to you and won't continue giving food then your dog would be having health issue all the time. Maybe you have to talk to the parents about this so the kids would be know this is a serious matter.
@celticeagle (168269)
• Boise, Idaho
10 Mar 13
I can understand your worry and I can also understand the kids innocent preoccupation with feeding your dog. I hope that his parents explain it well enough so he knows it isn't doing the dog any good. You may have to introduce it to the parents again if he feeds the dog again. Some kids are that way. Hopefully not. Good luck. Hope you get this handled with little damage to the animal.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
11 Mar 13
I don't think that the child should have giving your dog food in the first place and his parents should tell him that he shouldn't feed other people's pets. That said, I'm sure that now that you've gotten to the bottom of the strange foods that your dog has been eating that the problems that she is having with her skin will soon clear up.
I also hope that the child has learned to not feed animals that do not belong to him in the future. You never know what kind of special dietary needs that a pet or even a person might have.
@sjlskl (3382)
• Singapore
9 Mar 13
Kids will always be kids and they will always be attracted to cute pets. Based on your description, it does seem the kid is harming your dog more than helping him. How about keeping your dog indoor whereby he will not be able to reach the food? Or maybe you get the kid some good food that is suitable and ask him to only feed him that?
@doroffee (4222)
• Hungary
9 Mar 13
The parents should tell them again not to do that, and explain why. If the kids are told the dog could die if it eats food that are bad for their organs, they kids would understand. They should educate their children better. I'd never give any food to a dog the owner of which I know without asking if the food I'm going to give them is okay... and I did it even as a kid. Sometimes telling the kids no doesn't work, you have to explain it, because they might think, that, oh it must be a stupid pointless rule my parents made up...
