We all love our dogs and do everything we can to protect them. However, sometimes we do things that might be harming our furry friends.
One of the most important things we do for our pets is to make sure they are well fed. While that might seem like a no-brainer, we actually have to be quite careful what we feed our pets. Though it’s tempting to give in when we see our pals drooling over our meals, learning to say no is important.
To help ease the burden of guessing what foods are okay for your dogs, we’ve put together a list of items that are generally known to be safe for them. However, remember that not all digestive systems are the same – and you should always check with your vet before introducing foods to your dog’s diet as they might be allergic to certain things.
Also keep in mind that, according to Purina, when feeding fruit to your dog, keep the portion size small! In fact, any treats that you feed your dog should make up no more than 10% of their total calories for the day.
Let’s get started!
1) Peanut butter
Of course, it’s high in fat and calories so too much can result in weight gain.
If you do give your dog peanut butter, go for the unsalted kind and be sure it doesn’t contain the artificial sweetener xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.
Sources: American Kennel Club, WebMD
2) Shrimp
Shrimp is full of good nutrients but must be consumed in moderation. So stick to setting just a piece or two aside and lay off the seasoning.
Source: American Kennel Club, Medical News Today
3) Celery
But you can feed your dog celery as a treat to give them a boost of vitamins like A, C, and K as well as fiber and potassium, just remember to remove the stalk first!
Just make sure it’s cut into small pieces and remove the leaves so it’s easier to chew, especially for smaller dogs.
Sources: WebMD, Healthline
4) Cherries
In addition to containing small amounts of cyanide, it is a choking hazard.
Instead of feeding your canine artificially sweetened cherries, go for the fresh ones, but limit them to just a few.
Sources: American Kennel Club, Healthline
5) Pork
Just be mindful of the type of pork that you feed to your dog. Some pork, like bacon and other processed meats, are extremely high in salt which isn’t good for them.
Never feed your dog raw pork.
And start giving by pork snacks in small bites to see if your dog can tolerate it.
Sources: American Kennel Club, Healthline
6) Carrots
Just make sure they’re cut in bite-sized portions to prevent choking!
They’re also a great source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Sources: Healthline, Medical News Today
7) Oatmeal
It’s a great source of fiber and vitamin B.
But too much can lead to stomach upset and – just like any other food – weight gain.
Sources: Healthline, American Kennel Club
8) Peaches
But you should never feed your dog preserved or canned peaches.
If your pup isn’t used to snacking on fruit, they may experience stomach upset at first. If you don’t want to deal with potential diarrhea, just stick to regular dog treats.
Sources: American Kennel Club, Purina
9) Corn
But you must avoid feeding them corn on the cob – not only can they choke on the cob it can also cause intestinal blockage.
Sources: American Kennel Club, WebMD
10) Mushrooms
Always avoid wild mushrooms as many can be toxic.
Sources: American Kennel Club, Healthline
11) Salmon
Cooked and boneless salmon is great. It’s a great source of omega-3 fatty acids that helps to keep your dog’s skin and fur healthy. Just make sure the salmon is cooked! Raw salmon might contain a parasite that can be fatal when consumed raw.
And always be sure to watch out for tiny bones.
Sources: American Kennel Club, Healthline
12) Raspberries
They’re pretty low in sugar and can be especially good for senior dogs because they have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help aging joints.
Just avoid giving your dog too many as they contain small amounts of xylitol, which can be harmful in large doses.
Sources: American Kennel Club, Purina
13) Eggs
Even though raw eggs aren’t necessarily harmful, they do contain salmonella and raw egg whites can lead to a biotin deficiency.
Cooked eggs can be a healthy treat for your dog because they contain protein as well as beneficial amino and fatty acids, but you need to consult your vet on portion size.
Sources: American Kennel Club, Healthline
14) Mangoes
The fruit (in moderation, of course) can provide your pup some fiber, as well as vitamin A, B6, C, and E. But be sure to cut it up in small pieces and keep track of those calories.
Sources: American Kennel Club, Purina
15) Apples
Also, note that apple seeds contain cyanide which can be poisonous when eaten in large amounts.
Chewing an apple can also help clean their teeth, but don’t use them in place of real dental care.
Sources: American Kennel Club, Healthline
17) Cucumber
Just be sure to cut them up into small pieces before feeding them to your pup to avoid choking hazards.
Sources: American Kennel Club, Medical News Today
18) Strawberries
Just make sure you cut them in small slices and clean them just as you would before eating them yourself.
Sources: American Kennel Club, Purina
19) Zucchini
They can be raw, steamed, or cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces – but be sure not to share your own side dish with your pet if it has seasoning on it or has been sauteed with garlic or onion.
Sources: American Kennel Club, Pawcastle
20) Broccoli
But be careful with quantity because it also contains isothiocyanates which can irritate a dog’s digestive system if it makes up more than 10% of their daily calorie intake.
When you do decide to feed your dog broccoli, you can serve it either raw or cooked, but make sure it’s free of seasoning, oils, and not sauteed with garlic or onion. That means you shouldn’t pick any out of your sti-fry to share with Fido.
Sources: American Kennel Club, Healthline
21) Turkey
Avoid sharing the Thanksgiving turkey with your pup since that will be covered in seasonings and oils.
Sources: American Kennel Club, Healthline
22) Asparagus
If you decide to cook asparagus for your pet, it needs to be done without any oil, butter, garlic, or seasoning. That means sharing it from your own plate is probably a no-no.
Sources: American Kennel Club, Pawcastle
23) Blueberries
They can eat the berries fresh or frozen, but like other snacks, they should be limited to 10% or less of your dog’s daily diet.
Sources: American Kennel Club, WebMD
24) Chicken
Again, it needs to be plain and any tiny bones need to be picked out.
Surprisigly, chicken is one of the most common dog allergies, though it’s still very rare. If your dog is allergic to chicken, you’ll notice itchy or “hot” spots and should consult a vet for an alternative diet since they’ll most likely have issues with dog food containing chicken parts as well.
Sources: American Kennel Club, Healthline
25) Cashews
Plain, unsalted cashews are best, but consuming too many can lead to weight gain and even pancreatitis. It’s recommended to feed them no more than 1 or 2 per day.
Sources: American Kennel Club, Pawcastle
26) Cantaloupe
Of course, you must remove the skin and it’s best to remove the seeds since, while they’re non-toxic, they can be a chocking hazard.
Sources: American Kennel Club, PetsMD
27) Rice
White rice in moderation can even help an upset stomach, but it does have a high glycemic index, so it should be avoided in diabetic pups.
Sources: Healthline, PetsMD
28) Bananas
But like other fruits, they contain sugar as well, so just a few slices (depending on a dog’s size) is more than enough. You can even mash up a bit with peanut butter or freeze them for a special treat.
Sources: American Kennel Club, Healthline
29) Popcorn
The kernals also pose a choking hazard and get stuck in their teeth, so monitor snack time carefully.
Sources: American Kennel Club, Healthine
30) Beef
Also, keep it plain. Avoid seasonings or garlic.
31) Pears
Also, avoid canned pears due to their high sugar content, particularly if it’s been soaked in syrup.
As with all other fruits and vegetables, be sure to cut it up into small pieces. And no cores or seeds!
Sources: American Kennel Club, Pawcastle
32) Pineapple
They’re full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
But because of the sugar, you need to keep portions small (and, obviously, remove the flesh and core).
Too much pineapple can cause diarrhea, so monitor intake closely.
Sources: American Kennel Club, Doggone Real
33) Cabbage
Cabbage can cause gas as well, so prepare for that.
Still, it is full of antioxidants and is great for your dog’s skin and digestion.
Sources: Pawcastle, Doggone Real
34) Quinoa
Though it’s low fat and low calories and contains iron and calcium, it should be introduced slowly since some dogs might have trouble digesting it.
Some dogs can’t tolerate it at all and experience inflammation (just like humans) caused by organic compounds called oxalates.
Sources: American Kennel Club, Rover
35) Cranberries
Sources: American Kennel Club, Purina
36) Watermelon
Watermelon is mostly water and can be a good low-cal snack packed with vitamins, nutrients, and potassium.
Sources: American Kennel Club, WebMD
37) Cheese
Cheese is often used as a treat in training and to conceal pills your dog might not otherwise gobble down.
Of course, it’s high in fat, so reserve it for special occasions – and make sure it doesn’t have any added herbs or other toxic substances like garlic.
Sources: American Kennel Club, Pawcastle
38) Green Beans
But like peas, it’s best to avoid serving them from a can due to the sodium content.
You also have to avoid giving your dog vegetables sauteed in oils, spices, garlic, and onions, which is usually how they appear on our plates.
Sources: American Kennel Club, WebMD
39) Lettuce
There aren’t many side effects to feeding your dog lettuce since it’s 90% water.
Still, lettuce can be difficult for some dogs to chew and swallow, so cut it up small.
And don’t give them any of your salad since it’s likely to have a dressing on it.
Sources: American Kennel Club, WebMD
40) Brussels sprouts
But most people avoid doling them out to dogs since they are one of the gassiest vegetables around.
Unless you don’t mind dog farts, it’s best to lay off the Brussels sprouts.
Sources: American Kennel Club, Doggone Real
41) Blackberries
Just like other berries, they can cause stomach upset and diarrhea if your dogs wolfs down too many.
Sources: Healthline, Purina
42) Bell peppers
Introduce them slowly to be sure your dog can tolerate them and isn’t sensitive to nightshades.
Sources: American Kennel Club, WebMD
43) Honey
Because of its high sugar content, there’s a chance of weight gain and the potential for it to carry botulism spores means it should never be given to puppies.
You may need to brush your dog’s teeth after giving them the sticky syrup.
Sources: American Kennel Club, Healthline
44) Kiwi
If you want to give you pup a bit of this treat high in potassium, vitamin C, fiber, and beta-carotene, be sure to peel the skin off and cut it into small pieces.
But remember that dogs don’t absorb nutrients the same way we do so it’s not going to benefit from fruits in the same way.
Sources: American Kennel Club, Pawcastle
45) Squash
Make sure to cook it first but avoid any kind of seasoning.
Sources: Doggone Real, Rover
46) Pumpkin
It’s rich in fiber, potassium, iron, and vitamins A, C, and E and can also help ease digestion and help ease diarrhea.
Sources: American Kennel Club, Doggone Real
You might ask: But what about things like ham or potatoes? Can’t I give my dog a bit of tuna?
You didn’t read this far unless you love your little guy or gal – and we get you want to give them a treat that makes them happy or bond over a nice snack. But you’re responsible for their well-being and many foods make poor dietary choices for them.
Ham is best avoided due to its high sodium and fat content. Other, leaner meats are better. A tiny piece isn’t going to do much damage – then again, when have you known a dog to give up after one tiny bite?
Tuna might be the only fish that is okay for dogs to eat raw. But you have to remove all those tiny bones beforehand to prevent choking and be sure it’s packed in water and not oil.
And there’s new information regarding some previously popular foods, particularly potatoes:
From the UC Davis School of Medicine: “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently issued an alert about reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs eating certain pet foods containing peas, lentils, other legume seeds, or potatoes as main ingredients. DCM is a disease of the heart muscle that leads to reduced heart pumping function and increased heart size. The alterations in heart function and structure can result in severe consequences such as congestive heart failure or sudden cardiac death. While the most common cause of DCM is genetic, on rare occasions other factors can also result in the condition, particularly in breeds that are not frequently affected.”
At the end of the day, it’s just safer to say no than to let them indulge in “just a bite.”
Don’t worry, they’ll still love you.
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