As loving and caring dog parents, when your furry friend looks up at you with those sparkly, baby-like eyes, it’s hard to resist feeding them a treat or two. In the moment, we never think if the treato belongs to the list of human foods dogs can eat or can’t.
After all, we have their best interest in mind. We’ve opened our hearts and home to the creature. So, why not share some of our food with it, too right? Sadly, the reality is a bit different. Not all people food can be processed by their delicate digestive tract. And more often than not, it could lead to issues that can seriously compromise your pooch’s health.
To prevent any undesired health complications, we at Pet Food Reviews – your trusted pet food advisor – have curated a list of edible and inedible human foods for dogs.
People Food Dogs Can Eat
Dogs and humans share digestive compatibility across many food types, including both veggies and meat. Here are some of the common foods where the tastebuds of humans and dogs find common ground.
Meat
Given their canine and lupine origins, dogs aren’t new to the party when it comes to digesting meat and muscle tissue. Also, it’s a fantastic source of protein, which can be crucial to dogs of all ages, making meat one of the best human food dogs can eat – both in terms of health and taste.
Like humans, dogs also require meat to be cooked, as consuming uncooked chicken or fish can cause salmonella poisoning, which can be cruelly fatal.
Also, we’ve all grown up watching cartoons where dogs gobble up entire skeletons worth of bones for their supper. And though their digestive tract is capable of breaking down the bones, it’s best to keep it out of your dog’s feeding bowl as it can pose a choking hazard.
Here’s a list of all suitable meat types for your dogs:
- Chicken
- Pork
- Turkey
- Lean beef
- Fish – especially sardines and salmon
Also, rather than preparing meat yourself, you can outsource it to dedicated dog food products that have just the right amount of nutrients and comes prepared. All you have to do is dump a portion into the feeding bowl. That’s it!
For more information, here’s a blog on the best dry dog food brands to help you choose the right food for your dog.
Veggies and Fruits
Fruits are usually high in sugar, and that’s why you should give them to your dog in moderation. Even some vegetables can pose a health risk to your dogs. So, it’s best that you consult your vet before putting anything in the feeding bowl. Here are some of the options that should be safe for your four-legged companion to consume:
- Squash
- Carrots
- Sweetcorn (remove from the cob)
- Fresh green beans
- Cucumber (small portions)
- Celery (small portions with leaves removed)
- Broccoli
- Bananas
- Apples
- Blueberries
As your pet food advisor, we recommend using the above fruits and vegetables as an alternative treat rather than a significant portion of your dog’s diet. Also, if you’re only supplementing the diet with human foods dogs can eat, make sure that treats make up at most 10% of their daily calories, and no more.
People Foods Dogs Can’t Eat
Though there’s a long list of human foods a dog can eat, there’s an equally long list of foods they can’t consume. Here are some of them:
Chocolate, Coffee, and Anything With Caffeine
If there were a pair that was truly a match made in heaven, it would have been chocolates and dogs. It feels like the two were made for each other. But life’s unfair, and dogs can’t consume chocolates.
Why? Because it contains methylxanthines, which doesn’t agree with dogs. In fact, it can cause heart rate spikes, seizures, vomiting, and, in worst-case scenarios, even death.
And it’s not just chocolates. Anything containing caffeine is a toxin to dogs. So, as your pet food advisor, we suggest you make sure your dog never goes near chocolate or coffee.
Fortunately, chocolate treats are available in the market and contain a safe-to-consume, special chocolate substitute.
Nuts
Nuts are a strict no-no for dogs. Macadamia or other nuts from the same family can be toxic to dogs and can cause muscle weakness, lethargy, vomiting, and hyperthermia. Moreover, when you feed your dogs nuts, you run the risk of choking them.
Conclusion
Also, before you give your dog any new food, conduct research and make sure it’s safe. Steer clear of avocados, alcohol, yeast dough, and anything with artificial sweeteners. If you’re confused about any food item, always feel free to reach out to your veterinarian.
