Think Before You Feed! People Food Your Dog Can And Can’t Eat
If you have a dog, chances are that you've sat down to eat a snack or a meal only to find your furry friend next to you giving their best puppy eyes, hoping for a little taste. Of course, for most people, this can be almost impossible to resist, thinking "one bite couldn't hurt". So, if this is common for you, it's important to know exactly which kinds of human food are okay for your best friend to eat and what they should not. There's nothing wrong with a little treat, just know what's safe!
Peanut Butter: Can Eat
Most dogs love peanut butter and it's a great treat that they can have that also amuses owners as they watch their dog try to get every last taste from in and around their mouth. However, dongs shouldn't intake peanut butter in excess because it is high in fat and calories which can lead to weight gain.
Also, if you are going to give your dog peanut butter, make sure that it's unsalted, because too much salt can lead to salt poisoning and dehydration.
Eggs: Can Eat
Just like for humans, eggs are incredibly healthy for dogs, packed full of vitamins, minerals, and much-needed protein. Like any food, they should still be eaten in moderation, with some even claiming that they help relieve nausea in dogs, although there is no scientific evidence supporting this.
It's also important to know that even though dogs don't typically get sick from eating raw eggs, dangerous bacteria such as Salmonella from the eggs can be transferred from dogs to humans. Your best bet is to just cook them up some of their own!
Chocolate: Can't Eat
Chocolate is one of the most well-known foods that dogs aren't supposed to eat. The reason behind this is because chocolate is full of caffeine and theobromine, stimulants that dogs can't metabolize well. if your dog does consume chocolate, it may have a reaction that includes diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration.
Unfortunately, there can be even more complications such as muscle tremors, seizures, internal bleeding, and even death. Furthermore, darker chocolates are even more poisonous to dogs than the sweeter variety like milk chocolate. Essentially, avoid chocolate at all costs.
Cherries: Can't Eat
Unless you plan on peeling away all of the flesh from around the seed, cherries contain cyanide that can be poisonous to dogs in small amounts. Tragically, the cyanide affects cellular oxygen transport resulting in your dog's blood cells not getting enough oxygen.
If your dog happens to get into some cherries, the things to look out for include red gums, dilated pupils, and difficulty breathing which could be the symptoms of severe cyanide poisoning.
Oranges: Can Eat
Although there's nothing wrong with dogs eating oranges, according to some veterinarians, some dogs might be put off by the strong scent of citrus. In managed quantities, oranges can be an excellent source of Vitamin C and potassium.
Veterinarians also recommend peeling the orange before giving any to your dog as the peel can be hard on their digestive system. So, if your dog has a liking for oranges, there's no issue givng them their own slice here and there.
Onions: Can't Eat
Plants that are part of the family Allium, such as onions, leeks, and chives, are all poisonous to most pets, including dogs. If a dog eats onions, it can cause its red blood cells to rupture, which causes symptoms such as stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
Dogs that are particularly susceptible to being poisoned by onions are Akitas and Shiba Inus, but they are dangerous to all breeds regardless. Luckily, onions might not be the first food your dog will want to consume if it's available to them.
Popcorn: Can Eat
There aren't too many issues with your dog having popcorn as a regular treat, as long as it's all-natural with no added ingredients. Unfortunately, most pre-packaged popcorn contains salt which isn't good for your dog in large amounts. butter and oil can also be added which are high and fat and can be unhealthy for them.
So, if you are going to give your dog some, make sure it's plain and air-popped. In addition, popcorn kernels can get stuck in your dog's teeth, so make sure the pieces are fully popped.
Salmon: Can Eat
Not only is salmon not bad for your dog, but cooked, boneless salmon is actually healthy for them! Salmon is a fantastic source of omega-3 fatty acids that have the benefits of reducing inflammation as well are incredibly beneficial to your dog's coat and skin.
Nevertheless, the only salmon you feed to your pet must be cooked because it could contain a parasite that can lead to fatal poisoning. So, sushi is out of the question!
Raspberries: Can Eat
There's nothing wrong with dogs having raspberries every now and then as long as they are consumed in moderation. They provide your pet with fiber, manganese, and vitamin C, as well as are low in sugar and calories, which is always good.
Plus, they're especially good for older dogs, as they have anti-inflammatory properties, which can do wonders on older dogs with joint pain. Be warned, however, raspberries do contain traces of Xylitol which can be harmful, so stick to one cup per serving.
Avocado: Can't Eat
Regardless of the avocado craze that a lot of people have, our furry friends should never have any. This is because avocados contain a toxin known as persin, which is poisonous to dogs.
Consuming persin can cause fluids to build up in their lungs and chest, disrupting breathing and leading to suffocation and death. What makes avocados especially dangerous is that every part of the fruit contains the toxin from the flesh, pit, skin, leaves, and even the tree's bark.
Bananas: Can Eat
Dogs can eat bananas as long as they are peeled. They are a snack that is low in cholesterol and sodium while also high and fiber, making them as healthy for humans as well as dogs.
Because they are also high in sugar, it's best not to serve your dog bananas all of the time, but it could be beneficial every once in a while. Although the peel is also non-toxic, the importance of removing it is because they are difficult for the dog to digest.
Bread: Can Eat
Giving your dog some pieces of cooked bread is okay. However, it should not be done on a regular basis and, if done, only done in small portions. While bread may not have any direct harmful side effects, it doesn't really serve any nutritional purpose for them, containing nutrients already found in their own food.
With that being said, it's never good to give your dog raw bread dough as it's toxic. Also, refrain from feeding your dog special kinds of bread or any with seasoning on top.
Grapes: Can't Eat
While they might be a fun snack to throw in the air for your dog to eat, they should never eat grapes whether they're whole, peeled, seedless, or in the form of raisins. They are considered to be unsafe in any amount.
They contain a toxin that can lead to acute kidney failure that is harmful no matter the breed, age, or sex of the animal. Because they're so dangerous, it's recommended to keep all grapes far out of your dog's reach.
Ice Cream: Can't Eat
Even though dogs tend to love ice cream, and it's a fun treat to give them, they shouldn't be consuming it on a regular basis or at all. Not only can it be particularly bad for dogs that are lactose intolerant, but it also has high fat and sugar content.
If you are going to give your dog ice cream, it's best never to give them chocolate, ice cream with macadamia nuts or raisins, or sugar-free kinds that contain xylitol. Overall, it's best to stick with frozen yogurt.
Green Beans: Can Eat
Green beans are low in calories, nutritious, and can be served in various ways, whether they be frozen, canned, fresh, or cooked. If you are going to serve them green beans, leave them plain and avoid salt and other seasonings that can be harmful or unnecessary.
Green beans have Vitamins B6, C, A, calcium, fiber, and proteins that are great for your dog's health. If your dog even has a particular taste for green beans, swap them out as treats rather than dog biscuits.
Apples: Can Eat
As long as the apples have been sliced and the seeds have been removed, they are perfectly safe to feed your dog. Apples are known for having plenty of vitamins, antioxidants, and miners.
Furthermore, they also contain fiber, which is necessary for healthy digestion. Of course, don't overfeed your dog apples, and when you do give them some, make sure you remove the seeds. The seeds contain a small amount of cyanide, which can be poisonous if eaten in large amounts.
Lemons: Can't Eat
While lemons might not necessarily kill your pet, they can lead to gastrointestinal issues. In addition, both the peel and seeds present a choking hazard, and the citric acid can irritate their digestive system. Letting your dog have a few licks to see their reaction is okay, just don't throw them a whole lemon as a snack.
The same goes for limes, although the essential oils on their skin can give your dog lead poisoning. If your dog eats too many lime peels it can lead to low blood pressure and liver failure.
Potatoes: Can Eat
Your dog will be fine if they get their paws on a baked or boiled potato, although they shouldn't be eaten raw. Potatoes are an excellent source of carbohydrates, iron, potassium, and several other necessary vitamins.
When giving your dog potatoes, however, make sure that they are plain with no seasoning. All of the nutrients they need are right there in front of them, so there's no reason to add anything extra. If you slip your dog a french fry or two on occasion, they'll thank you for it.
Macadamia Nuts: Can't Eat
You should keep macadamia nuts as far away from your dog as possible because they are highly toxic to dogs. Ingesting enough of them can lead to muscle weakness, vomiting, tremors, hyperthermia, and even depression.
As if that wasn't bad enough, macadamia nuts also are high in fat which can elevate their triglyceride levels, resulting in pancreatitis. All in all, your dog should never have this kind of nut or any form of food that contains them.
Pumpkin: Can Eat
if you like to treat your dog according to the season, pumpkin is perfectly fine for them to eat. A part of the squash family, pumpkins are full of fiber, magnesium, protein, copper, and countless other beneficial vitamins.
Not only is pumpkin good for them in general, but it can also be used as a remedy for dogs having diarrhea and constipation by balancing the digestive system. Another benefit is that dogs can be eaten fresh or canned and they can also eat the seeds toasted or plain too.
