We often give dogs food we eat along with their usual. You might throw them some popcorn or a piece of fruit, for instance. There are plenty of human foods that help maintain your dog’s health. They provide nutrients that regular kibble might not have. Sometimes, you may not have kibble if you're travelling or you've run out. It also helps change up the usual feed. I've shortlisted some of the best human foods to feed your dog from experience and research. Here they are:
Meats
There’s no food in the world that your dog might love more than meat. Most dogs do. You can feed them meats including chicken, beef, turkey, pork, fish, etc. It’s an excellent source of protein.
For a large breed dog like a Saint Bernard or a German Shepherd that exercises a lot, it’s much healthier to feed meat raw as that’s what their digestive systems are used to. Although this goes without saying, make sure the meat is clean. On the other hand, if you own a smaller breed like a Pug or a Corgi, it’s safer to cook the meat as they’re prone to diseases.
You can either feed the meat directly or as an addition to their usual food. It depends on how much your dog needs. Try switching up to find what works best.
Grains
Grains are a very good source of starch and fiber. It helps clean your dog’s digestive tract. Grains like rice, wheat, barley, corn, and oats are all safe for dogs. They can serve as good additions to their usual food. For example, you can boil some rice or oats and serve it along with the kibble for their meal and corn or bread as a small snack.
However, you shouldn’t feed grains as a substitute since they don't have vital nutrients and can cause dietary issues.
Fruits & Vegetables
Dogs adore fruits and vegetables. They are brilliant sources of vitamins and minerals. Along with their regular food, you can throw in some diced carrots, cucumber, broccoli, peas, etc. You can also use them as treats. Your dog would love a few pieces of a juicy apple, watermelon, cantaloupe, cucumber, and bell peppers. These are perfect snacks for a hot day.
They can eat almost anything with a few exceptions. Watch out, especially for grapes, raisins, avocados, and mushrooms, which are toxic for all dogs.
Other foods
There are some other foods we eat that you can share with your dog. Cheese(in limited quantities), cooked eggs, milk, tofu, and yogurt are all animal products that dogs often enjoy, while great plant-based foods include plain popcorn, peanut butter(with no Xylitol*), and coconut.
Given that we’ve discussed foods great for dogs, it’s essential to know some unsafe foods too.
Foods to stay away from
There are some foods that we eat that can cause health problems in dogs. Here are a few:
Chocolate
Grapes & raisins
Avocadoes
Mushrooms
Cherries
Coffee
Peanut butter brands that have Xylitol*
*Xylitol is an extremely toxic substance to dogs, used as a suger-free alternative in products like chocolate, chewing gum, toothpaste, etc. Even small quantities can have adverse effects. Please double check any product for Xylitol before feeding it to your dog.
Although this goes without saying, it’s essential to mention that overindulgence in any type of food is unhealthy and can cause health issues. Moderation is important.
So that was my list of human foods you can share with your dog. I hope you and your dog liked it!