What Human Foods Can Dogs Eat & Not Eat?

What human foods can dogs eat & not eat?

Human foods that are safe for dogs as a treat

Are you a dog mom or dad? If you are, then you’re no doubt familiar with your dog begging for your dinner scraps, or any other things dogs can eat. Or, if they are particularly well behaved, maybe they just gaze longingly at whatever food you have in your hand as they give you those adorable puppy eyes.

No matter what it is, dogs always seem to want our ‘human’ food - but what can dogs eat and not eat? What’s safe to share and what isn’t? Here’s 8 safe human foods that dogs can eat, and a few to avoid as well – because you don’t want a pet insurance claim on your hands.

What human foods can dogs eat?

Your pup’s diet doesn’t only have to be dry kibble from a bag – in fact, dogs are capable of safely digesting a number of human foods. When it comes to dog health, a varied diet can actually be beneficial in many ways, especially when it comes to maintaining good digestion, healthy teeth, a glossy coat and much more. But as a responsible pet owner, it’s best to know what human food dogs can eat versus what might make them sick – let’s start with the good list:

1. Peanut Butter

When it comes to human foods that dogs love, peanut butter tends to top the list. Peanut butter is an easy treat to use to fill kong toys, and even to trick your dog into taking medication that they refuse to take. Plus, if you are good in the kitchen and want to spoil your pup, you can even make your own peanut butter dog cookies. Your dog will love you for the yummy treats and your wallet might even thank you too - after all, we all know how pricey dog treats can be!

2. Pumpkin

Pumpkin is another easy dog treat that you can use to make your own dog treats. Use either fresh or canned pumpkin puree to whip up a delicious doggy snack that is, again, likely cheaper than what you would buy in the store. On top of being great to use to make dog treats, pumpkin is also good to mix into dry dog food if they get bored with their food or if they aren’t feeling well and have diarrhea. Pumpkin is easy on a dog’s stomach, plus it contains a lot of fibre and plenty of vitamins to help them feel normal and get back to being regular.

3. White Rice

White rice isn’t the most exciting treat but, like pumpkin, white rice is a great thing to feed your dog then they have an upset stomach. It’s bland and mild, which means it’s easy on their digestive system.

4. Baby Carrots

Baby carrots are an excellent treat for your dog. Not only do most dogs love getting them, but they are beneficial for your dog’s health as well. Carrots are low calorie and high in vitamin A and fibre, not to mention they’re good for your dog’s dental hygiene.

5. Salmon

Salmon is a top protein to share with or, if you are feeling particularly generous, cook for your dog. It’s a source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for their immune system and help to keep their fur healthy, soft, and shiny. Make sure to cook the salmon first!

6. Chicken

Chicken is another good and safe protein for your dog. While it doesn’t have the same health benefits as salmon, it’s a perfect add-in if your dog starts to get bored with their food, or if you run out of dog food and need a substitute until you can get to the store. Lucky dog!

7. Eggs

Eggs are another example of an easy way to incorporate extra protein into your dog’s diet, and they are also easy for dogs to digest. Make sure to cook the eggs though, as raw egg whites may actually make your canine companion sick.

8. Cheese

Most dogs love cheese (let’s be honest, most humans do too!). While cheese is a great treat for dogs, you do need to be careful not to overfeed them with this snack, as the majority of cheeses do have a high fat content. Also, keep in mind that some dogs can be lactose intolerant, so if you are just starting to give cheese to your canine companion, do it in very small doses and monitor for any possible reactions.

What foods can dogs not eat?

While there’s lots of human foods that dogs can eat, there are also a number of foods that you shouldn’t feed to your dog because they are toxic and/or difficult for your dog to ingest. The last thing you’d want to do is have to make a pet insurance claim because your pooch was offered a treat he or she can’t safely eat, so even though many of the foods below might be tasty for us humans, they could be deadly for your dog. Here’s the bad list:

1. Chocolate

Chocolate is the top big bad on the list of what dogs can’t eat, primarily because it contains the chemical compound theobromine, which a dog’s internal system can’t process. The caffeine present in chocolate is also a health issue for the same reasons. Although chocolate poisoning might not be fatal, it could cause long-time health problems for your pup.

2. Grapes & Raisins

Both grapes and their dried form, raisins, are toxic to dogs due to a component that hasn’t been definitely identified, but it’s known that grape toxicity is linked to kidney damage in dogs. Because dogs cannot metabolize a number of chemical elements in grapes, even a single raisin can be poison to them.

3. Garlic, Onions & Chives

These three aromatic veggies are part of the Allium family, and while they may give flavour to human dishes, they’re not so kind to the internal workings of our canine pals. These vegetables contain thiosulfate, which can cause anemia in dogs by attacking their red blood cells. It also can result in empty stomachs and diarrhea in dogs.

4. Macadamia Nuts

Macadamia nuts may be a treat for us humans, but they’re a danger to dogs. Although we can metabolize the high fat content of these nuts, dogs are at risk of pancreatitis if they ingest only a couple of them. There are also a few breeds that are at higher risk than others due to known disposition, including dachshund, miniature Schnauzer, and several breeds of terrier.

5. Avocado

Although avocados fall under the same “high fat causes pancreatitis” issue as macadamia nuts, they have an added nasty aspect called persin – a fungicidal toxin that can give your dog a bad stomachache, if not heart problems down the line. Save your avocados for your toast and don’t share them with your furry friend!

6. Coffee & Tea

You may rely on your morning coffee or tea to give you a quick buzz, but it’s that same buzz that could prove to be fatal for your dog. Caffeine is yet another chemical compound that can affect a dog’s nervous system, causing abnormal heart patterns, panting, and tremors among other alarming symptoms.

7. Xylitol

You might not be familiar with xylitol, but if you rely on sugar-free treats, you’re probably ingesting xylitol. This sugar substitute can be found in all kinds of food items from sugar-free gum to sugar-free sweets to some toothpastes, and while we might consider it a healthy alternative, it’s anything but healthy for your dog, causing severe liver damage or even death.

8. Alcohol

Alcohol is absorbed into a human’s bloodstream at a reasonable metabolic rate, but not into a dog’s. In fact, the chemical makeup of a beer or glass of wine is absorbed far too quickly into a dog’s system, which can affect their nervous system, their digestion, or both. Even a bit of alcohol can be devastating to your pup’s organs.

How much human food can dogs safely have?

Just like we humans love a treat every now and then, the best thing to keep in mind when considering food dogs can eat is moderation. A little bit of something from the good list every now and then is fine, but even too much of the good stuff can be unhealthy in the long run. Also, before you share your food with your dog, it’s always best to do some research or check with your veterinarian first – especially if you had a breed that’s predispositioned to digestion issues or other potential maladies.

How can I ensure my furry friend is covered?

You’ve already got Sonnet covering your home and auto insurance – so what’s next is to get Petsecure to protect your pup (or kitty)! When it comes to pet insurance, with over 7 million paws protected, you can trust that Petsecure has got the four-legged member of your family covered in case of emergency, accident, or routine dental care. Get a pet insurance quote today and show your furry friend how much you care!

Hannah Logan is a Canadian travel writer who dreams of being just like Indiana Jones. You can follow her travels on her personal travel blog Eat Sleep Breathe Travel where she shares her travel tales and (mis)adventures around the world.

Hannah Logan is a paid spokesperson of Sonnet Insurance.

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