If you’re a dog owner, you’ve probably wondered what human foods your furry friend can safely eat.
While it’s important to remember that dogs have different nutritional needs than humans, there are quite a few people foods that are safe and healthy for dogs to eat in moderation.
Fruits and Vegetables Dogs Can Eat
Many fruits and vegetables make good treats for dogs due to their high nutrient content.
Fruits and vegetables are also low in calories so they don’t hurt their diet as much as some other treats.
When choosing produce for your dog, choose fresh fruit and vegetables over canned options.
Canned fruits and vegetables tend to have added sugar or sodium which makes these not as good of options for dogs.
As with any treats, fruits and vegetables should be given in moderation.
If your dog has special dietary needs, consult your vet before giving them any new foods.
Here are some fruits and vegetables that are safe for dogs to eat:
Apples
Apples are an excellent source of vitamins A and C, as well as fiber.
While dogs can eat apples, they should not eat apple seeds.
As long as you core the apple before giving it to your dog, it is a good healthy snack for your dog.
Bananas
Bananas are a great source of potassium, fiber, and vitamin C.
They make for a tasty and healthy treat for your furry friend.
Black-Eyed Peas
Black-eyed peas are a good source of protein, fiber, and vitamins A and C.
They can be a healthy addition to your dog’s diet, but make sure to cook them before serving.
Blueberries
Blueberries are packed with antioxidants and vitamins C and K.
They make for a tasty and healthy treat for your pup.
Broccoli
Broccoli is high in vitamin C and fiber and can be given to your dog raw or cooked.
Due to the isothiocyanates in broccoli, which can cause stomach irritation in dogs, it should be given to your dog in small quantities.
Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe is a great source of vitamins A and C, as well as fiber.
Make sure to remove the seeds and rind before giving cantaloupe to your dog.
Carrots
Carrots are an excellent source of vitamins A and K, as well as fiber.
They make for a crunchy and healthy treat for your furry friend.
Green Beans
Green beans are a good source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as fiber.
They can be a healthy addition to your dog’s diet, but make sure to give them plain green beans.
Avoid large, whole green beans as these can be a choking hazard.
Pineapple
Pineapple is a great source of vitamins C and B6, as well as fiber.
Make sure to remove the rind and core before giving pineapple to your dog.
Potatoes
Potatoes are a good source of vitamins C and B6, as well as potassium and fiber.
Make sure to cook them before serving as raw potatoes contain solanine which is toxic to some dogs.
Cooking reduces the amount of this substance in potatoes.
Potatoes for dogs should be cooked plain, with no additional oils or seasonings.
Pumpkin
Pumpkin is a great source of fiber and can help with digestive issues.
Make sure to use plain canned pumpkin or cook fresh pumpkin before serving.
Avoid giving your dog pumpkin pie filling or other baked pumpkin treats as these have spices that are toxic to dogs.
Strawberries
Strawberries are a good source of vitamin C and fiber.
Strawberries can be given to your dog either fresh or frozen.
Just remove the stems and leaves before feeding them to your dog.
Sweet Potato
Sweet potatoes are packed with vitamins A and C, as well as fiber.
They make for a tasty and healthy treat for your dog.
Just make sure to cook and peel the sweet potato before giving it to your dog.
Watermelon
Watermelon is a great source of vitamins A and C, as well as potassium and magnesium.
Make sure to remove the seeds and rind before giving watermelon to your dog.
Other Foods Dogs Can Eat
If you’re looking for other people food you can give your furry friend, there are many options available.
Here are some of the most popular foods that dogs can eat:
Cheese
Cheese is a tasty treat that many dogs love.
It’s a good source of protein and calcium, but it’s also high in fat, so it should be given in moderation.
Like all dairy products, cheese may cause digestive upset in some dogs due to the lactose that it contains.
Chicken
Cooked chicken is a great source of protein for dogs.
It’s important to make sure that the chicken is fully cooked and boneless, as cooked bones can splinter and cause serious health problems for dogs.
Eggs
Cooked eggs are a great source of protein and can be a healthy addition to your dog’s diet.
If your dog has a medical condition, check with your vet before giving them any eggs.
Some conditions may require you to skip giving your dog eggs.
Fish
Fish is a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids.
However, some types of fish can contain high levels of mercury, which can be harmful to dogs.
Stick to low-mercury fish like salmon.
Fish should be cooked and all the bones removed before being given to your dog.
Fish bones can be a choking hazard and cause issues requiring veterinary care if swallowed.
Ham
Dogs can eat ham as an occasional treat in small amounts as it is a high-fat and high-sodium food.
Too much fat and too much sodium can be harmful for dogs, so while they can eat this food, it should be a very occasional treat.
If you do give your dog ham, make sure that it’s cooked and boneless.
Honey
Honey is a natural sweetener that can be a healthy addition to your dog’s diet.
It’s high in antioxidants and has antibacterial properties. However, it’s also high in sugar, so it should be given in moderation.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a great source of fiber and can be a healthy addition to your dog’s diet.
Make sure to give your dog plain oatmeal, as flavored varieties can contain added sugar and other ingredients that can be harmful to dogs.
When you prepare oatmeal for dogs, make sure to use water instead of milk as many dogs can’t tolerate milk.
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is a tasty treat that many dogs love.
It’s a good source of protein and healthy fats, but it’s also high in calories, so it should be given in moderation.
Make sure that the peanut butter doesn’t contain xylitol, a sweetener that can be toxic to dogs.
Rice
Cooked rice is a great source of carbohydrates for dogs.
Dogs can eat both white and brown rice, though brown rice has a higher nutrient value.
White rice is sometimes recommended to give to dogs that have an upset stomach due to its blandness.
Shrimp
Shrimp is a low-fat, high-protein food that can be a healthy addition to your dog’s diet.
However, it’s important to make sure that the shrimp is fully cooked with the shell, veins, and tails removed.
Shrimp should be cooked plain without any seasoning or flavorings that can be harmful to dogs.
Yogurt
Plain yogurt is a great source of probiotics and calcium for dogs.
It can help promote digestive health and boost the immune system.
However, some dogs may be lactose intolerant, so it’s important to monitor your dog for any signs of digestive upset after giving them yogurt.
Greek yogurt is better for dogs than regular yogurt as it has a lower level of lactose compared to regular yogurt.
Tips for Giving People Food to Your Dog
All people food should be given to dogs in moderation as large amounts of any food can cause digestive upset for most dogs.
Some foods, like ham, should be given only occasionally as a special treat.
Avoid any food that has artificial sweeteners in it. Most artificial sweeteners, especially xylitol, are very bad for dogs.
When preparing human food for dogs, make sure to cut it into bite-sized pieces.
This is especially important for those dogs that inhale their food (Morgan is one of those and I swear she eats human food so fast you barely know you gave it to her).
Finally, when introducing a new food to your dog, be on the lookout for allergic reactions to it, especially when dealing with a dog that has known allergies.
Check With Your Vet
If your dog has any sort of medical condition or allergies, it is best to check with your vet before giving them any new foods, even fruits and vegetables.
Certain conditions can restrict what your dog can eat and your vet will know best what is safe for your dog.
Even if your dog doesn’t have any health issues, it’s always best to check with your vet if you are unsure what your dog can and can’t eat.