Everyone knows that dogs are a human’s best friend. If you have a dog, you probably want to share everything with them. From exercising with your puppy to sleeping in the same bed, it feels great to include your pet in your daily life.
When it comes to mealtime, however, you have to stay cautious. Some of humanity’s greatest snacks like chocolate and grapes are off-limits to the sensitive canine metabolism.
That’s why we’ve compiled a quick list of seven human foods you can rest assured will be safe to share with your dog.
That’s why we’ve compiled a quick list of four human foods you can rest assured will be safe to share with your dog.
Human Foods That Are Safe for Dogs
1) Beef
Meat lovers rejoice – if you’re having a beef dinner, it won’t hurt to share some with your dog. It’s a standard ingredient in dog foods after all, so feeding your pup beef on its own won’t hurt.
You can even feed them your best 100% grass fed beef so you both can share a sustainable and ethical meal.
Be aware you should serve meat to your dog plain, without seasonings or sauce. Many of these include ingredients that could hurt your pet, like salt. You should also always cook it, as raw meat is just as harmful to dogs to consume as it is to humans.
2) Eggs
That’s right, you can wake up in the morning and cook you and your pup breakfast at the same time. Eggs provide an excellent source of protein, as well as other vitamins and minerals, for your pet. It’s even said the breakfast staple can reduce nausea.
As we mentioned before, you should not season or put sauce on your dog’s eggs. It’s also important you cook them all the way through.
Though eggs don’t inherently make dogs sick, they can fall ill from bacteria like Salmonella which thrives on raw foods like eggs and chicken, just like humans can.
To reduce food waste, you can grind up your eggshells and feed them to your dog. This helps fortify your dog’s teeth and bones. Organic eggs are the best to use to avoid any food coloring or chemicals on the shell. If you don’t buy organic eggs, boiling them will clean them just as well.
3) Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is the classic example of the perfect snack for you and your best friend. Treating them with a spoonful of peanut butter every once in a while provides them with an extra boost of healthy fats and proteins in their diet. They also look so cute when they eat it!
As always, unsalted peanut butter works best. You should also ensure that your preferred brand doesn’t contain xylitol.
This artificial sweetener in peanut butter, toothpaste, and sugarless gum can cause your pet’s blood sugar level to drop quickly. When gone unchecked, consuming xylitol could be potentially fatal for your dog.
4) Carrots
Carrots are an underrated and overlooked snack. Not only are they healthy for you, they’re also healthy for your dog. They contain the essential vitamin A content that anyone can use. Cut raw carrots into bite-sized morsels for your pup or boil them to make them easier to chew.
Chewing on carrots will also help your dog’s dental hygiene. Since they’re hard, they remove plaque from the teeth. If you don’t have a tooth brushing routine for your animal, carrots are the next best thing.
Their fiber content also helps harden your dog’s stool. This means no more diarrhea for your dog, and less of a mess to clean up for you!
5) Salmon
Salmon is an expensive fish, but it’s perfect for the occasional dog treat. Like the rest of these foods, make sure it is completely unseasoned and cooked well enough for human consumption. If you don’t like salmon, less expensive fish like herring and tuna will work just as well.
Salmon is a great source for Omega-3 fatty acids. They help boost your pet’s immune system and prevent inflammation. They’ll even keep your dog’s fur coat shinier and healthier. Since it’s high in protein and low in bad fats, it’s also the perfect food for dogs on a diet.
6) Pumpkin
Pumpkin is like salmon in that these edible items are both superfoods that provide a lot of nutrition for your pet. In particular, the pumpkin’s fiber content aids in urinary tract health and digestion. That means no more trouble with urination or runny stools! It also acts as a natural deworming agent (but be sure to use medical worming treatments too).
Pumpkins can also help overweight pets lose weight. They have many added benefits without added calories. If you need to get your pet to a healthier weight, look no further than this superfood.
You can feed dogs any part of a pumpkin, including the seeds and skin. Sprinkle ground up seeds over a regular meal to provide necessary amino acids. The rest you can cook and feed to them easily. Again, reducing food waste and providing nutrients to your pet go hand and hand with this snack!
7) Cheese – Possibly
Some dogs are able to eat cheese with no negative reactions. We say “some,” because just like humans, your furry friend can also be lactose intolerant. Even if they’re not entirely lactose intolerant, too much cheese can cause unpleasant stomach irritation and diarrhea.
It’s best to only feed your dog cheese in small amounts, every so often as a treat. Cheeses that are low in fat, such as mozzarella, are the best choice to prevent upset stomachs. Cottage cheese is also a healthy option, as it is high in protein and calcium content.
In Conclusion
You no longer have to fear that your pup is missing out on life’s greatest joy, snacks. These four suggestions are safe for them to eat, as long as you take the proper precautions. Any of these options would be a great treat or supplement for your canine’s regular meals.
Though none of these foods are toxic, you should be careful not to feed them to your pet too often. Treats should not make up more than 5 to 10 percent of their diet. Always talk to your veterinarian when you have questions about changing or adding to your canine’s diet.
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