Kindness and compassion are common traits among dog lovers. Our canine companions are an integral part of our families, communities, and even sleep at our feet. There must be no harm in feeding our pets some of the things we love ourselves, right? Certainly not! Fruits and vegetables, which most humans can eat with no difficulties, may be very harmful to a dog’s digestive system. However, a dog’s digestive system is well-suited to digesting some human meals, and doing so may have positive effects on the dog’s health.
Read on to find out which human meals are healthy for dogs and which might send them to the emergency vet immediately. Canine obesity is a serious issue in the United States, and it may be caused by even healthful foods served in excess. The staple of your dog’s diet should always be a high-quality brand.
Canines’ Access to Human Food
No, almonds are not good for dogs to consume. Although almonds are not known to be poisonous to dogs in the same way as macadamia nuts are, they may cause obstruction of the esophagus and even suffocation if not eaten thoroughly. In dogs with heart condition, eating even a little amount of salted almonds may be lethal because of the resulting water retention.
Dogs can eat bread, it’s true. Your dog won’t suffer any ill effects from eating some plain bread (without any seasonings or add-ins, and especially no raisins). Like in humans, it adds little benefit nutritionally and may be quite high in carbs and calories. Bread from the grocery store usually includes unwanted preservatives, so it’s preferable to avoid it completely and stick to homemade loaves instead.
Canines get a taste for cashews? If given in little quantities, cashews are safe for dogs. Though these nuts have less calories and fat than others, eating too many of them may still contribute to weight gain and other fat-related health problems. They are a good source of calcium, magnesium, antioxidants, and proteins. If you want a tasty snack, consume a few unsalted cashews.
Cheese: In moderate to small amounts, cheese is OK for dogs to consume. Cheese may be a terrific reward for your dog if he or she isn’t lactose intolerant, which is unusual but not unheard of among dogs. Choose mozzarella or cottage cheese instead of other cheeses that may be higher in fat. The Himalayan dog chew is a dry cheese treat that many dogs adore (but no two dogs should ever share).
Never give your dog chocolate. It’s not simply a made-up story. Methylxanthines, which are found in chocolate, are stimulants that may cause a dog’s metabolism to cease. Some people are sensitive to chocolate, and even eating a little amount, particularly dark chocolate, might make them sick to their stomachs. Seizures, cardiac irregularities, and even death might result from taking too much. Do not leave any chocolate where your dog may find it. A veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline should be contacted immediately if your dog ingests chocolate.
You shouldn’t give your dog cinnamon. To be sure, cinnamon is not hazardous to dogs, but it’s still advisable to keep your pet away from it. The oils in cinnamon may cause tongue irritation in dogs, leading to vomiting and diarrhea. Too much of it may cause diarrhea, vomiting, an abnormally high or low heart rate, and perhaps even liver damage in your dog. Cinnamon powder may irritate the respiratory tract and induce coughing and choking if inhaled.
Coconut: Canines may safely ingest coconut. The unusual fruit’s lauric acid content makes it effective against germs and viruses. It may also alleviate skin issues including hot spots, flea allergies, and itchy skin, and aid with foul breath. Additionally, both coconut milk and coconut oil are secure for canine consumption. In particular, watch careful that Fido doesn’t get his paws on the fuzzy outside of the shell, since this might cause a blockage if he tries to swallow it.
Dogs, it turns out, do like a nice bowl of corn. Dog food often has corn as one of the main components. While dogs like eating corn, the cob may be difficult to digest and might potentially create an obstruction in the dog’s digestive tract. (Or you could simply get a noisy corn toy.)
Certainly, eggs are safe for dogs to consume. As long as they are well cooked, eggs may be fed to dogs without worry. To calm an upset stomach, try eating some cooked eggs. However, a lack of biotin may be caused by eating raw egg whites, so be sure to fully boil the eggs before feeding them to your cat.
Dogs can, in fact, enjoy a healthy meal of fish. Dogs benefit greatly from the healthy fats and amino acids found in fish. Sardines and salmon are particularly useful due to their high vitamin and protein content and their easily digested bones, respectively. Picking out all the microscopic bones, which may be tiresome but is absolutely required, is a standard preparation step for most fish except sardines. Never give your dog fish that hasn’t been thoroughly cooked and allowed to cool, and don’t exceed twice weekly servings of fish.
Avoid giving your dog garlic if you want them to stay healthy. Garlic belongs to the Allium family together with onions, leeks, and chives, but it is five times more harmful to dogs. Anemia, which garlic may cause, manifests in dogs with symptoms including pale gums, a rapid heart rate, extreme weakness, and even collapse. If you suspect your dog has consumed garlic or onions, keep an eye on him or her for a few days, not only immediately after eating them, in case any signs of poisoning have yet to manifest.
Certainly, ham is a food that may be shared with your dog. While it’s not the healthiest option, ham is OK for dogs to consume. Because of the high salt and fat content of ham, occasional sharing is OK but should not become a regular practice.
Can dogs eat honey? Definitely! Vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K, potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper, and antioxidants are just some of the many nutrients that may be found in honey. Because it contains pollen, feeding honey in moderation to your dog might help them develop tolerance to local allergens. Honey may be used topically to heal minor burns and wounds, in addition to being consumed.
Don’t feed your dog ice cream; it’s bad for their health. While ice cream may be pleasant, it’s not a good idea to feed it to your dog because of the high sugar content. Additionally, some canines have a lactose allergy. Instead of giving your dog milk, try giving him frozen fruit pieces like strawberries, raspberries, apples, and pineapples.
To be clear, macadamia nuts are not safe for dogs to ingest under any circumstances. Some of the most toxic meals for dogs include the ones listed below. Macadamia nuts, which are in the family Protaceae, may make you sick, make your temperature rise, make you unable to move about, and make you feel tired. They may also have an impact on the neurological system, which is bad enough. Macadamia nuts are very toxic to dogs.
Yes, milk is safe for canine consumption. But tread carefully. Some dogs have trouble digesting milk because they are lactose intolerant. While a little amount of milk is OK for dogs, owners should be aware of the signs of lactose intolerance and may wish to stick to feeding their dogs water instead.
Yes, peanut butter is safe for canines to eat. Dogs may get a much of the protein they need from peanut butter. Vitamins B, E, and niacin are present, as are heart-healthy lipids. One of the healthiest choices is peanut butter that is raw and unsalted. You should check the ingredients list to make sure the peanut butter doesn’t include the sugar substitute xylitol, which may be fatal to dogs.
Canines certainly like a handful of peanuts. Dogs can safely eat peanuts, but not almonds. Your dog will benefit from the abundance of healthy fats and nutrients they contain. Peanuts are great for dogs, but be careful to limit their intake since too much fat might cause pancreatic problems. Don’t eat any salted peanuts either. Dogs have a hard time processing large amounts of salt.
Can dogs eat popcorn? Why, yes! Air-popped, unsalted popcorn is OK for your dog if given in moderation. It has some iron and protein, and the B vitamins riboflavin and thiamine are good for your eyes and your stomach. If you’re going to feed popcorn to your dog, make sure all the kernels burst before doing so.
Can dogs eat pork? Why, yes! In comparison to other types of meat, pork has more calories per pound and is easier to digest because of the abundance of amino acids it contains. Some dogs may also be less prone to develop an allergy to pork than to other proteins.
As for quinoa, you may feed it to your dog without worry. Some premium dry dog meals now include quinoa. Thanks to its high nutritional value, quinoa may be used as a substitute for the carbohydrates often included in kibble, such as maize, wheat, and soy.
Can Dogs Eat Salmon? Definitely! As was previously noted, salmon that has been properly cooked is a great way to get your daily allowance of protein, healthy fats, and amino acids. It’s a great supplement for canine immune systems and helps keep their joints and brains in good shape. Parasites in raw or undercooked salmon may cause severe illness in dogs, including vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and, in the worst instances, death. The parasites in salmon may be killed by cooking it thoroughly (the FDA advises at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit).
The answer is “yes” when you ask whether your dog can eat shrimp. Your dog may eat a little amount of shrimp on occasion, but only if they are well cooked and the shell is totally removed (along with the tail, head, and legs). Shrimp are minimal in fat, calories, and carbs while being abundant in antioxidants, vitamin B-12, and phosphorus.
Dogs may, to a limited extent, like canned tuna. Fresh, cooked tuna is a great way to get the omega-3 fatty acids that are good for your heart and eyes. Small quantities of mercury and salt, both of which should be limited, are present in canned tuna. In moderation, canned tuna and tuna juice that has been canned in water rather than oil and does not include any added seasonings should be OK.
Bird: The answer is yes, turkey is dog-friendly. Dogs may safely eat turkey, but only if the meat is prepared without the skin and fat. Remember to look for bones; when digested, chicken and turkey bones may splinter and cause intestinal obstruction or even intestinal rips. Meat that has been over-seasoned with things like salt, spices, onions, or garlic should not be fed.
Dogs can, indeed, consume wheat and other grains. Dogs need not restrict their diet to grain-free options; in fact, grains are absolutely OK for canine consumption. Protein, vital fatty acids, and fiber may all be found in abundance in grains like wheat and maize. While it depends on your dog’s individual sensitivities, you may want to steer clear of grains if he or she suffers from food allergies. Have your pet checked out by a vet and see what they suggest.
Dogs can eat yogurt; it’s safe for them. Dogs may enjoy a snack of plain yogurt without worry. However, dairy products may be difficult to digest for certain dogs. Yogurt’s live cultures may be beneficial for your dog’s digestive health if he or she can tolerate them. We recommend plain yogurt. Yogurts with additional sugar should be avoided, as should those sweetened with artificial sweeteners.