Can I Give My Dog Human Food? If So, What Can’t They Eat?

As a pet owner, it’s only natural to want to spoil your pooch. However, before you start feeding Fido dinner scraps, it’s important to have a firm understanding of what foods your dog can and can’t eat. Below, we’ll dive into human foods that your dog can and can’t eat so that your furry-friend can safely feast on some of your favorite snacks. 

Human Foods Your Dog Can’t Eat

While some human foods are safe and nutritious as an occasional treat for your dog, it’s important to know which foods are toxic to your four-footer. Be sure to keep these foods locked safely away from your furry best friend. 

In the event that your dog consumes one of these foods, be sure to give your veterinarian or emergency pet hospital a call immediately. 

• Chocolate: Unfortunately, chocolate cannot be shared with your pooch. It contains theobromine and caffeine, both of which are super toxic to dogs. Generally speaking, the “darker” the chocolate is, the more toxic it can be (i.e dark chocolate is more dangerous than milk chocolate).
• Garlic, Onions, Leeks, and Chives: These seasonings, which are members of the Allium family, can cause anemia in dogs making them very toxic. This is one of the reasons why it’s so important to only serve cooked, unseasoned meat and vegetables to your dog.
• Macadamia Nuts: These nuts are incredibly poisonous to dogs and can lead to an affected nervous system, so keeping them far away from our dogs is vital.
• Avocado: Avocado contains persin which is toxic and can cause gastrointestinal issues and vomiting.
• Grapes: Though the root cause is unknown, it’s important to keep raisins and grapes far away from your dogs since they can cause kidney failure in dogs.
• Gum: Gum commonly utilizes the artificial sweetener xylitol which is super toxic to dogs. Make sure that your dog does not consume any products that use this sweetener.
• Alcohol: Alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even death in some dogs— make sure your stash is stowed away from Spot.
• Sugar: You’ll want to avoid products with added sugar to keep your dog healthy. While it’s not necessarily toxic, it can be dangerous and lead to long term issues down the road when consumed in large quantities.
• Bones: While it may be tempting to throw your dog a bone after finishing dinner, resist the urge. Bones that aren’t made for dogs can be a choking hazard and contain traces of seasoning which can be toxic. 

Human Foods Your Dog Can Eat 

Luckily, there are some human foods that you can share with your dog. Here are some human foods your dog will love as the occasional treat or as a supplement to Fido’s daily diet. 

• Blueberries: Blueberries serve as a natural antioxidant and are a perfect pint-sized treat to give to your pooch on occasion.
• Peanut butter: Peanut butter is perfectly safe for dogs as long as it doesn’t contain xylitol. The best kind of peanut butter to feed to your dog is one that’s made out of just peanuts. Shoot for peanut butter variety that’s unsalted and not heavily processed.
• Carrots: Carrots can be served raw or cooked as long as they are unseasoned. This low calorie treat is perfect for any pup that prefers a crunch.
• Pumpkin: This fiber rich food is the perfect fall treat for your furry bff. Serve pumpkin cooked or uncooked without seasoning or added sugar.
• Rice: Plain cooked rice can be a great food to give your dog if he has an upset tummy.
• Cooked, unseasoned chicken: You can feed your pooch cooked chicken as long as it is unseasoned. You’ll want to make sure it’s cooked thoroughly to reduce the risk of salmonella contamination.
• Cooked, unseasoned eggs: Cooked eggs can make a great protein-rich snack for your pooch. Just make sure you serve this treat without any seasoning.
• Sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes are full of calcium and can be shared with your dog as long as they are cooked without seasoning. Plus, sweet potato slices can be dried or dehydrated to make a delicious dog treat.
• Plain Greek yogurt: Unsweetened Greek yogurt can make a great occasional treat for your pooch. However, keep in mind that any dairy product may cause GI upset for your pooch.
• Cucumbers: Cucumbers are an excellent low-calorie canine-friendly snack. Your pooch will love this refreshing treat after a long walk. 

As you can see, there are plenty of human foods you can share with your hound. Just be sure to keep any toxic foods locked far away from your four-footer. Enjoy snacking with Spot!