If you’ve got a little bit left over from dinner and don’t want it to go to waste, dogs are usually the first to devour the extras. But what human food is actually safe to give to your dog?
Well, there are lots of different foods we can give our dogs, if it’s in moderation. It’s important to note which ones are definitely okay, as we do not want to cause them unnecessary harm when we think we’re just giving them a little snack.
Can my dog eat vegetables?
Yes! There are some vegetables that dogs can have as a little snack or maybe as a tasty addition to their dinner.
Peas are a good example, as they are very high in protein and dietary fibre. Another bonus about feeding your dog peas is that you don’t have to prepare them like you would for a human—in general dogs are not picky! Therefore you would be able to feed them peas that are either frozen or cooked.
Carrots are also a good addition to a dog’s diet as they can use them to snack on, and they also help with dental hygiene. This is also great for when you’re prepping the Christmas veg and need to distract your dog with a healthy snack!
Dogs are also able to have cabbage, which is very good for their digestive system and skin. Although this counts as a healthy snack, it’s advised that it should be given in small quantities to avoid inevitable gassiness!
Sweet potatoes are a brilliant source of fibre which is great for your dog’s digestion, and can be added to their diet in small amounts. Regular potatoes that haven’t been cooked in any oil or seasoning can be given to your dog, although if it has green skin then it needs to be avoided—it could cause stomach problems.
Vegetables to completely avoid include onions, garlic, leeks and mushrooms, as all of these create bad reactions when fed to dogs. These side effects include vomiting, stomach pain and can sometimes lead to more severe symptoms.
Can my dog eat fruit?
Much like vegetables, there are certainly a selection of great fruits that can be added to your dog’s daily diet.
Apples are one of the best fruity snacks to feed your pup— just make sure the core and seeds are removed first! Much like carrots, apples keep doggie teeth clean and help them keep their breath fresh too!
Another fruit perfect for pooches are strawberries. Not only do dogs find these incredibly tasty, but they are also great sources of vitamin C and potassium, strengthening their immune system.
Dogs can eat oranges in small doses as they do provide a brilliant source of vitamin C. However, they should not eat the peel as this can cause stomach upset.
Tomatoes are also a good snack for dogs but should also be given in moderation. The leaves and stem should not be fed to dogs as this can also cause similar effects to orange peel.
Can my dog eat dairy?
This is totally dependent on your dog and how sensitive their stomach is, so it’s very important to be completely aware of this before feeding them any products in this category. Milk and cheese can be fed to dogs in small quantities, but if they consume too much dairy this could cause digestive issues later on.
What meats can my dog eat?
This may sound like an obvious one, as most dog foods contain a source of meat such as chicken or beef. However, that has been especially prepared for dogs, so it’s important to note what meats they can have that have been prepared by humans, for humans.
Chicken and turkey are good examples, as they can be safely fed to your dog if the chicken has been boiled and both have absolutely no seasoning to avoid upsetting their stomach.
This is very similar to pork, which can be fed to your dog in small quantities. But too much can be hard for their body to process, due to the high fat content.
How about sweet snacks?
Obviously human treats like chocolate should never be ingested by dogs, as it is highly poisonous and could cause real damage.
There are some sweet treats that can be fed to dogs in moderation, such as unsalted peanut butter. This is an incredibly tasty snack for dogs and they absolutely love it! But it’s key that the peanut butter does not contain a sweetener called xylitol, as this is very toxic to them.
Plain popcorn – so without salt, sugar or butter – can also be eaten by dogs. So if you fancy a movie night with your pooch, you can both enjoy the snacks!