We try to keep our dogs on their canine diets but sometimes we just can’t resist slipping them an occasional human morsel. If you’d like to reward your pet with a table scrap, make sure that you choose dog approved people foods that are safe for canine tummies.
1. Peanut Butter
A favorite treat of many canines. Not only is it a good source of protein, but it also contains heart healthy fats, vitamin B, niacin, and vitamin E. Stuff peanut butter into a Kong to keep your dog busy for hours. Choose raw, unsalted peanut butter.
2. Cooked Chicken
Can be slipped into the bowl along with your dog’s regular food to add a spice and extra protein to its diet. This also makes a good meal replacement if you’re in a pinch and out of dog food.
3. Cheese
A great treat for a dog as long as she isn’t lactose intolerant, which a small percentage are. Make sure to monitor your dog’s reaction. Opt for low or reduced fat varieties and don’t overfeed, as many cheeses can be high in fat. Cottage cheese is typically a good choice.
4. Baby Carrots
Good for a dog’s teeth, carrots are low calorie and high in fiber and beta carotene/vitamin A.
5. Salmon
A good source of omega 3 fatty acids, which are responsible for keeping your dog’s coat healthy and shiny, as well as supporting your dog’s immune system. Feed your dog cooked salmon, add salmon oil to her food bowl, or slip him some of your unwanted fish skins.
6. Eggs
Scrambling up an egg for your pup is a great way to give her diet a protein boost. Eggs are also a source of easily digestible riboflavin and selenium, making them a healthy snack.
7. Yogurt
High in calcium and protein. But make sure to only choose yogurts that do not contain artificial sweeteners or added sugars. Yogurts with active bacteria can act as a probiotic and are good for your dog’s digestive system.
8. Green Beans
Make a great treat for your dog since they are filling and low in calories. Select beans that have no added salt.
9. Pumpkin
Good source of fiber as well as beta-carotene/vitamin A. It can help keep the GI tract moving and can aid with digestive issues.
10. Oatmeal
A great source of soluble fiber, which can be especially beneficial to senior dogs with bowel irregularity issues. It is also a great alternate grain for dogs allergic to wheat. Make sure to cook oatmeal before serving it to your dog. Do not add any sugar or flavor additives.
11. Apple Slices
Helps to clean residue off a dog’s teeth, which helps to freshen her breath. Apples are a good source of fiber as well as vitamin A and C. Make sure to take out the seeds and the core before feeding to your dog, as these can be choking hazards.
These are just a few of the human foods that you can toss your dog’s way. Remember to try them in small amounts. If your dog experiences any sort of reaction, immediately consult a veterinarian. Before giving your dog any people food, do your research to make sure it’s safe. Never feed your dog toxic human items such as: chocolate, onions, grapes, raisins, yeast dough, artificial sweeteners, macadamia nuts, avocadoes, alcohol, or coffee.
> Dog Approved People Food | Cesar’s Way
I always get laughs when people come to the door causing the dogs to flip out, which results in me throwing a couple apples out the back door (or, more rarely because of immediate availability hard boiled eggs). The dogs immediately are redirected and come back in for meet and greets much calmer. My two are bigger dogs (80 and 90 pound coonhound and lab respectively), so I’m not terribly concerned with the seeds/core. These are the greatest treat EVER!
It’s really funny with hard boiled eggs, the hound will very carefully peel the egg with her front teeth, then eat the egg, and then eat the shell, about a ten minute process!
awesome. all the stuff that i have been feeding my dog. except the salmon, its too expensive.
My dog loves watermelon, especially on a hot day.
My dogs will eat any vegetable that falls on the floor. They love brussel sprouts and asparagus.
The seeds aren’t just a choking problem, they are toxic. However, when taken out of context that info could sound worse than it really is… continue reading and you’ll see what I mean. You can google it too and find other supporting information, or just ask your vet… here is a link I found from google with a lot of good info on the topic… I pasted a quote from it below.
http://www.dogsupplies.com/pages/Are-Apples-Bad-For-Dogs%3F.html
So, its nothing to become an alarmist about, I don’t wanna take anyone down that road, but this is good information to share so we can all use our own best judgement when treating our pets with goodies… cause who doesn’t wanna give em some variety and let them experience different tastes etc?
(quote from link)
“Apple seeds contain amygdlin, a form of
cyanide, which is very poisonous to every living thing. Cyanide prevents
the blood from carrying oxygen throughout the body.
If the dog swallows a few seeds, the body will detoxify itself. Actually, the dog
must ingest large quantities of apple seeds to do major damage. Also,
the cyanide is within the seed covering, and if the covering isn’t
broken, it will pass through the dog’s system intact. Sort of a no harm,
no foul situation.
So, if you’re going to give your dog apples, core the apples. Then, cut them into bite-size pieces and feed the dog this way. This may seem overly cautious, but why take the chance.”
This article is horrible. I don’t know who wrote it but it comes from no scientific basis. First of all, ALL vegetable, fruits and proteins are healthy for dogs to it (except for onions, some nuts, the usual things, etc) and here’s the reason why. DUH. Plain and simple. How long do you think dog food has been around? They are animals, they need REAL FOOD, no some dried up crumbs with all the protein cooked out. Second of all NO Dairy and NO whole grain or oats are good for dogs. No yogurt, cheese (especially low fat, geez people, read a book, “low fat” items arent even good for humans). Dogs do no poses the same digestive system we do. While their bodies may TOLERATE these things it does not make them good. Dogs CAN NOT process dairy and the CAN NOT process grains. Grains are a pro-inflammatory (same reason cancer patients should not eat grains) and can only cause dogs inflammation and bloat. It’s common sense. Fruits, veggies and protein. Every dog (just like every human) has some foods that work better or worse for your body, just up to you to find out which.
great! my dog eats vegetable too!!!
My dogs absolutely love carrots, turnips, and potatoes (I don’t let them have potatoes often, since I’ve heard those aren’t good for dogs). My Pomeranian will eat any vegetable offered to her, except for green beans. She hides those under her doggy bed.