As the saying goes, ‘health is wealth.’ The same goes for your furry friend. Keeping them healthy and strong prevents you from spending money on veterinary check-ups. We have collated a list of what human foods can dogs eat. These are the ones you will find in your kitchen or something often served during meals. You don’t need to sweat looking for natural foods to give your pets. Remember, it is important to feed our pets with real food.

Processed food may contain nutrients and vitamins which are synthetic and could negatively affect your dog’s health. It is also important to note that while real, natural food is important, each breed has its own needs. As a pet owner, you need to be informed of the nutritional needs of the dog you are looking after. There are specific amounts of amino acids, minerals and vitamins, and other ingredients needed by your pets.

Homemade, do-it-yourself pet recipe

According to The Good Trade, you can spend time whipping up some delicious meals for your pet by simply mixing simple ingredients. If you ask yourself, what human foods can dogs eat that you would also enjoy? Brown rice, chicken breast, ground turkey, and some vegetables would be ideal. This recipe is not only protein-rich, but the vegetables are good in providing calcium, nutrients, and vitamins. If you love eating these foods, there is no reason why your pet won’t enjoy them as well.

Homemade, do-it-yourself dog treats

Depending on the brand, store-bought dog treats can be expensive. You can save some money, by making your dog treats at home. Grab some ripe bananas, peanut butter, and some oat flour. Mix them and you get yourself delicious, natural, and inexpensive dog treats.

Other ideas of what human food can dog eat:

Carrots

These vegetables are not only good for bunnies but for your doodle. Give them at least two pieces of baby carrots to munch on. Carrots are not only rich in Vitamin A but it also aids in removing plaques from your dog’s teeth.

Apple

An apple a day keeps the vet away. Give your dogs some apples. This fruit is rich in fiber and aids in their digestion. It is also rich in Vitamins A and C.

White Rice

We love rice and your dogs will love it too. However, if your dog is diabetic refrain from serving them white rice as this could shoot up their sugar level.

Dairy products

If your dog is not allergic to dairy products, give them some cheese and milk. These provide calcium, phosphorus, potassium Vitamin D, and protein.

Fish

Fish is an excellent source of protein and omega-3. Make sure to cook your fish before feeding it to your pet. Uncooked fish may have parasites that could be harmful to your pets.

Chicken

This is rich in protein and fat and could be fed to your dog. Boil the chicken meat and shred it to pieces so it’s easy for your pet to chew on.

Blueberries

Blueberries are rich in antioxidants. These are the ones responsible for fighting off free radicals that may cause cancer, heart disease, and other harmful diseases.

Bananas

Monkeys and apes love bananas. Your fur pet would love this too. Bananas are rich in magnesium which aids in keeping the dog’s bones healthy and strong. But be mindful that bananas have rich sugar content and could be harmful if your dog is diabetic.

Cucumbers

If you still ask yourself what human foods can dog eat, cucumber is one of them. This is an excellent snack for your dogs. Cucumbers are rich in vitamins and minerals.

Human foods which could be harmful to your dogs

Chocolates and Coffee

We love chocolates and coffee but your pet friend won’t. These two are harmful to their health. The methylxanthines in these products are harmful to your pets. If you ingest these by accident, look out for symptoms of vomiting or diarrhea and bring them to the nearest vet.

Alcohol

Do not allow them to sip alcohol as this would be harmful to their immune system.

Bread dough

This could cause bloating and poisoning for your pet

Uncooked meat

Even humans prefer cooked meat in their meals. No reason to give your pet uncooked food as they may be prone to Salmonella contamination. Make sure that the meat is cooked well to prevent unwanted bacteria from attacking your pet.

Ice Cream

Ice cream is delicious and helps you cool off during hot weather. But if your dog is lactose intolerant, this is harmful to them.

Nuts

Do not give macadamia nuts to your pets. Apart from the possibility of choking, these nuts could lead to muscle weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, and lethargy.

Citrus fruits

Small quantities are okay but excessive feeding of citrus fruits could lead to an upset stomach and other illnesses.

Cherries

Cherries are good for human consumption but could be harmful to your pets. This could cause blockage in the digestive system. Another harmful effect of this fruit is it can cause poisoning caused by cyanide.

Before prepping human food for your dog, make sure to consider your dog’s special needs. You might be looking after a pet which requires a special diet due to allergies, diabetes, or other diseases. Be a responsible parent and do some research first on what can and can’t be given to your pets.

Some important reminders when feeding your pet:

Make sure that their feeding bowl is clean before putting in their food
Remember to clean up their bowl after meal to prevent the proliferation of insects, parasites, and bacteria
Give your pet enough water to keep them hydrated before and after a meal
Make sure to serve your pet only fresh and balanced food
If you don’t have time to prepare your dog’s meal, make sure that what you’re giving your pet is AAFCO ( The Association of American Feed Control Officials) approved pet food.

Every pet owner wants the best for their pets. The same is true when it comes to health. As humans become more conscious of their health and well-being these days, the same can be said for parents. They are becoming more conscious of their pets' quality of life, and overall health. If you want to learn more about how to take care of your pets and what’s the best food to give them, check out our Blog and follow us on Instagram @stokeshiredesignerdoodles.