What Human Food Is Unsafe For Dogs
Max loves nothing more than to be chomping away on something and he loves his food and treats. However, not all foods are good for dogs and some can be fatal so it’s important to always know what your dog can eat and what they should be avoiding at all times. Let’s face it, a dog will eat anything they find so it’s up to us to make sure they are okay.
You may have already seen my article on Safe Foods That Dogs Can Eat and know what your dogs can have, hopefully you’ve found some of the recipes I’ve made super helpful as well. I love making recipes from home as I 100% know the ingredients and can ensure my dog is safe.
As soon as I got Max I was on Google looking up what foods are toxic to dogs and there are a lot of websites out there but they’re really difficult to read so I thought I’d make my own. Kiwi is safe for dogs, Max doesn’t like them though. If a dog nudges the food away then they don’t like it.
Why Human Food Is Bad For Dogs
It’s important to note that not all human food is bad for dogs but there are of course some that you need to be careful of as they can really harm a dog. Grapes are one of the worst foods that a dog can eat, our vet told us that they’re even worse than chocolate.
It’s also good to remember that even though some foods aren’t bad for dogs, you should still feed them them in moderation or they can upset a dogs tummy or make their belly bigger!
What Human Food Is Unsafe For Dogs
Several human foods can be harmful to dogs and should be avoided, including:
- Chocolate: Contains theobromine and caffeine, which are toxic to dogs.
- Grapes and raisins: Can cause kidney failure in dogs.
- Onions and garlic: Can cause damage to red blood cells, leading to anaemia.
- Avocado: Contains persin, which can be toxic to dogs.
- Xylitol: Found in sugar-free gum, candies, and some peanut butter, xylitol can cause a rapid release of insulin, leading to hypoglycemia and liver failure in dogs.
- Alcohol: Even small amounts of alcohol can be toxic to dogs, causing vomiting, diarrhoea, coordination problems, breathing difficulties, coma, and death.
- Macadamia nuts: Can cause weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors, and hyperthermia in dogs.
- Bones: Cooked bones can splinter and cause choking, gastrointestinal obstruction, or puncture wounds in dogs.
- Fat trimmings and bones: Can cause pancreatitis in dogs.
- Dairy products: Some dogs are lactose intolerant and may experience digestive upset from consuming dairy products.
Always consult with a veterinarian before introducing new foods to your dog’s diet to ensure they are safe and appropriate. You might be thinking, well my dog eats whatever but sometimes it’s better to just say no and let them beg for something they can’t have.
If you’re finding that your dog begs when they want unsafe foods, give them a treat or a bone that might take a while to eat.
What Human Food Is Safe For Dogs
Several human foods are safe for dogs in moderation, including:
- Lean meats: Cooked chicken, turkey, beef, and lamb are excellent sources of protein for dogs.
- Fish: Cooked salmon, tuna, and whitefish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, beneficial for a dog’s skin and coat.
- Eggs: Cooked eggs are a good source of protein and can be fed to dogs in moderation.
- Fruits: Many fruits are safe for dogs, including apples (without seeds), bananas, blueberries, and watermelon (without seeds or rind).
- Vegetables: Dogs can enjoy vegetables such as carrots, green beans, peas, and sweet potatoes.
- Plain yogurt: Plain yogurt is a good source of probiotics and calcium for dogs.
- Peanut butter: Plain, unsalted peanut butter is a tasty treat for dogs and a good source of protein and healthy fats.
- Rice and pasta: Plain, cooked rice and pasta can be added to a dog’s diet for extra carbohydrates.
- Cheese: In small amounts, cheese can be a tasty and nutritious treat for dogs.
- Coconut: Coconut oil and coconut flesh (in moderation) can provide dogs with healthy fats and promote skin and coat health.
Always introduce new foods gradually and in moderation, and monitor your dog for any signs of digestive upset or allergies. If in doubt, consult with your veterinarian before feeding human foods to your dog.
It’s important to not give your dog too much in one go, Max has eggs each night as his treat especially when he’s been at daycare throughout the day. That being said if he’s at home we might pass on the Egg and give him tuna and plain potato or a bell pepper. You know your dog so it’s easier to give them what they want and pass on the bad food for dogs.
Healthy Human Food Recipes For Dogs
If you are looking for some healthy recipes for dogs that include human food, take a look at the amazing home dog recipes below.
Homemade Dog Treats (3 Ingredients Dog Treat Recipe)
These tasty bone recipes use oats, banana and peanut butter. All the dogs that have tried these love them. They’re crunchy, bursting with peanut butter and banana flavour and the dogs can’t get enough! You have to try them out if you’re looking to make homemade doggo recipes.