If your dog is practically part of the family, you're probably tempted to share your snacks and meals. But not all human food is safe for your furry friend—even some seemingly harmless items can be risky. The good news? There are plenty of foods you can safely share that your dog will absolutely love. In this article, you’ll discover 11 dog-friendly options that are safe and healthy, plus 2 surprising foods you should always keep off their plate.
Note: The content of this article does not reflect the Writer's personal beliefs and is not medical advice.
Cooked Chicken
If you have ever enjoyed a chicken dinner, your dog was probably sitting right next to you, begging to share! Dogs adore cooked chicken, and it is a perfectly safe food to give to your dog. Just make sure there are no bones or seasonings on the chicken. Toss your dog a tasty, cooked chicken skin, and they will be your best friend forever.
Carrots
A crunchy snack of plain carrots is healthy for both you and your dog. Carrots are low in calories and high in vitamin A, potassium, and fiber. Plus, chewing on carrots is a great way to relieve teething pain in young puppies.
Berries
Have you ever thought of giving your dog a bowl full of fresh berries? It is actually a safe and healthy snack your dog may enjoy! Dogs can safely eat blueberries, blackberries, strawberries and cranberries. Give your pup some berries for dessert, and don’t forget a bowl for yourself!
Cheese
Your pup will love a nice cheese board just as much as you do! Giving your dog some cheese is a good way to add calcium, vitamin A, and essential fatty acids to your pup's diet. Stick to more neutral cheeses like cheddar, swiss, and provolone.
Peanut Butter
Dogs go crazy for peanut butter, and it is a perfectly safe food to share with your pup. Make sure your peanut butter does not contain xylitol or other artificial sweeteners, which can be toxic to a dog. A good spoonful of all-natural, real peanut butter is just what your dog wants.
Bell Peppers
Your dog may enjoy a little bit of spice and crunch! Give them some raw, sliced bell peppers as a nutritious snack. Serve the peppers with peanut butter, and you can enjoy a delicious appetizer before your real meal. Your dog will look so fancy with its pepper platter!
Pasta
You may not think of sharing your pasta dinner with your dog, but you definitely can! Cooked, plain pasta is something a dog would definitely enjoy. Pasta won’t add too much nutritional value to your dog's diet, but you can give your dog this human food just for fun.
Popcorn
Are you having a movie night with your dog? Make you and your pup a bowl of popcorn to enjoy! Dogs can safely eat plain, popped popcorn, and this healthy snack will add zinc, fiber, and manganese to their diet.
Melon
Humans love juicy ripe melons, and your dog may be a fan as well! Dogs can safely eat watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew. Sounds like you may have found a perfect, healthy dessert that you and your dog can enjoy together.
Pumpkin
Every dog wants to participate in pumpkin season! Pumpkin is high in fiber, which can help a dog’s gut health. It also has lots of vitamins and minerals that may be beneficial to a pup's diet. Stir some pumpkin puree into your dog's food to give them a flavorful treat.
Rice
Dogs love to eat plain rice, and it is nice and filling. Plus, rice is good for dogs when they have an upset stomach or other digestive problems. It is easy on their system, and it tastes good!
Never Give a Pup Xylitol
Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in many human foods that is very dangerous for dogs. It can lead to dangerously low blood sugar levels. Dogs who eat too much xylitol may experience vomiting, lethargy, weakness, seizures, and even death. When sharing human foods with your pup, always make sure the food does not contain xylitol.
No Garlic and Onions
Garlic, chives, shallots, and onions are all toxic to dogs and should never be mixed into a dog's diet. Eating too much of these foods may damage red blood cells, and your pup may vomit or have diarrhea. If you start preparing human food for your dog, always make sure it is unseasoned and contains no onions or garlic.
This article was first published at Spatula Desserts.
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