people food your dog can enjoy

This is a fun post all about human food that is safe, and in some cases healthy, that you can share with your pet!

Lots of us like to share our food with our pets. Often times, the pet is staring at you while you eat, begging for a handout, or hoping for something to fall off your plate. Sadly, there are many human foods that are dangerous and/or deadly for your pets to eat, and many human foods can lead to unhealthy weight gain. For more info on dangerous foods and other household items, please click here.

Listed below are some tasty treats you can share with Fido, and you can share them guilt free!

Carrots

• First up on our list is carrots. Carrots are high in fiber, vitamin A, and low in calories. When chopped up they make excellent training treats, and if your dog is overweight, they are an ideal treat alternative due to the low calorie content. Try chopping them in a food processor and add them to your pups kibble. Fresh carrots are a crunchy treat that can help remove tartar from your dog's teeth, and are good for their eyes. Make sure to cut up or dice the carrot into small pieces to prevent choking.

Yogurt

• Yogurt is a great treat for your dog. Yogurt is a great source of protein, and has calcium for bone and tooth health. As a bonus, yogurt is loaded with probiotics, aiding in digestive health. Make sure to use a yogurt with no added sugar or artificial ingredients. Plain Greek yogurt is a great choice. It can be added on top of kibble as part of a daily diet.

Apples

• Apple slices are a fun treat for your dog. Apples are a great source of fiber, vitamin A, and vitamin C. No need to peel the skins, but do not let the dog have the core or seeds as these can be choking hazards. Cut into small pieces, apples can make excellent training treats.

Cheese

• Cheese is a personal favorite of the dogs in our home. We use pieces of cheese sparingly as high value rewards for learning a new/hard trick, or to hide a pill in when necessary. If a dog has a digestive issue that requires a bland diet, cottage cheese is great. It is high in protein and calcium. Cheese is not suggested if your dog is lactose intolerant. 

Peanut Butter

• Peanut butter is another people food dogs go crazy for. Peanut butter is easy to store, lasts a long time, can be purchased in travel friendly sizes, and is another great way to hide a medication for your dog. Peanut butter also works great frozen inside a toy like a Kong, keeping your dog entertained and busy. Most peanut butters are safe, but beware of sugar free types. They use artificial sweeteners like xylitol that are toxic to dogs.

​Berries

• Strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries are all safe for your pet. These berries are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. You can feed your dog either fresh or frozen berries, but as with everything else, moderation is key. Beware of other small fruits like cherries, grapes, and berries like holly, as they can be dangerous for your pet.

Bananas

• Peeled bananas are another safe fruit for both you and your dog. Bananas are a great source of potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and fiber. Pieces can easily be broken off for sharing, and can also be stuffed in a Kong, mashed up in food, or peeled, frozen, and sliced. This is a personal favorite of my dogs.

Cucumber

• Cucumbers are a healthy, low calorie, crunchy treat for dogs, and are a great treat for a pet that needs to lose weight. Cut cucumbers into appropriately bite sized pieces for your pet to prevent choking. While cucumbers are safe, pickles are not recommended for pets, as they can have spices that may be toxic to animals.

Pumpkin

• Pumpkin is high in fiber and great for a dog having digestive issues. Canned pumpkin is a great way to incorporate more fiber into your pets diet, and is more nutritious than fresh pumpkin, just make sure it isn't pumpkin pie filling. It can be mashed into your dogs regular food if you need to add fiber to your dogs diet.

 As you can see, there are many popular people foods that are safe for dogs. These foods can be excellent for use as training treats and rewards, as a healthy, low calorie alternative for a pup that needs to lose weight, as an additive to their regular food, or can help assist you when needing to give medications. None of these items are meant as a dog diet replacement. This post is far from conclusive, but a quick search for "safe human food for dogs" can yield much more exhaustive lists. Please remember that while these foods are deemed safe for pets, it is up to you to use them in moderation, watch them while they are eating, and to make sure that the food is appropriately sized for your pet to prevent choking. 

Always make sure to check if a food is safe for your pet prior to giving it to them. Never feed your dog toxic human food like chocolate, coffee, grapes, onions, alcohol, or anything with artificial sweetener in it. Consult with your veterinarian if you have any concerns.