Dog Under the High Chair, Good Idea? Or Maybe Not?

When babies start sitting in a high chair and eating solid food, many dogs hang out under the high chair and pick up bits of food that are bound to fall to the floor. It’s a great time for the dog!

My clients often ask me if allowing the dog to be under the high chair is a good thing, or if it might cause problems for the dog or for the baby.  The short answer is Yes, it might cause problems. There are pros and cons, positives and negatives, to your dog around your baby’s high chair when the baby is eating. Read about the Pros and Cons in this article.

PROS (it’s a short list):

Fun for the dog - food falling at random can give your dog a great time!

Fun for baby - she can practice learning to throw, and many babies love to watch the dog grab food when it falls.

Your dog will clean up any fallen food on the floor.

CONS:

The baby may have more fun dropping food to the dog than eating her own meal and may miss out on some important nutrition. 

Dogs may whine, bark and jump up to encourage the baby to throw food to them.

Dogs that are large enough can take food right off the high chair tray, leading to competition between dog and baby. If the baby tries to protect her food, pull it away from the dog, or hit the dog to stop him, the dog may react defensively. 

In this photo, the baby is having a great time. But what if the dog decides he doesn’t like the baby touching him while he’s eating and resents the baby’s interference? 

This is potentially dangerous!

When your dog gets food from your baby, whether the food is dropped on the floor or the dog takes it off the high chair tray, the dog may learn to see your baby as a source of food. This can lead to problems later, if the baby is walking around carrying food and the dog is near. See my article:

Dogs, Babies and Food - Not a Good Threesome!

https://yourdogandbaby.com/blog/dogs-babies-and-food-not-good-threesome

Cooked meat bones can be dangerous for dogs, and if your baby is chewing on a chicken bone and the dog gets that bone, it could mean possible injury to your dog, as well as a costly vet visit.

In addition, some of the food that babies eat may be toxic to dogs. 

Grapes, raisins and onions are common examples. Here’s a list of foods that should never be given to dogs: https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/ss/slideshow-foods-your-dog-should-never-eat.

Foods that are prepared for people may be safe for your baby but not your dog. Any time you consider giving your dog a food item made for people, including baby food, first read the label carefully for any ingredients that are toxic to dogs. 

One food additive that’s especially dangerous to dogs is xylitol, a sweetener found in many food products, as well as well as some household items. Here’s one article about it: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/xylitol-toxicity-in-dogs. Again, read labels on any human prepared food before letting your dog eat it; xylitol can be lethal to dogs!

MOVING YOUR DOG AWAY FROM BABY’S HIGH CHAIR

If your dog is used to being around the high chair when your baby is eating, he may not be happy to be moved away from that spot. Here are some suggestions for making the transition, so it goes smoothly and happily for your dog.

Start by asking yourself what you dog likes to do when he’s alone. Play with a favorite chew toy? Get food from an interactive food toy? Chew on a frozen Kong or other toy that holds food? Lie in the sun in the backyard? Snuggle up for a nap in a comfy bed?

Whatever your dog’s favorite alone-time activity is, get him started with it before you begin any food prep for your baby. It’s best if your dog’s most enjoyable activity can take place in a separate room, away from the baby-feeding area, so he may not even know that the baby is being fed. It helps if those favorite activities take place only at those times when your dog needs to be separated from your baby; that way, they remain special and engaging for him.

Get him started with his special toy, and once he’s focused on it, simply close the door and leave him to it! Then go ahead and get baby’s meal started. 

It may take a while for your dog to get used to the change, but it could make your life a lot easier to feed your baby without your dog around. Safer for both dog and baby, too!

Do you have one of my FREE Checklists yet? If not, they’re available at www.yourdogandbaby.com. Easy to download right now, so go for it!