Human foods that are safe for dogs to eat

Most dogs are fine eating lean cuts of meat that have been thoroughly cooked. Be sure to remove all the visible fat which includes the skin, especially on poultry as it is very fattening. Poached chicken with the skin removed is an ideal lean meat to feed your dog. Some offal like liver is also good for your dog too. Also be sure that there are no bones in the meat before you give it to your dog. Keep the portion small and include it as part of your dog’s daily food allowance.

Most dogs are also fine eating cooked portions of thoroughly cooked fish. Be sure to remove any thick fish bones. They can also eat tinned fish like tuna, sardines or pilchards. Just remember to remove any excess oil or brine if the fish is from a tin or buy tinned fish that is canned in water. A small portion of poached fish is great if they have had an upset tummy or recovering from an operation. Salmon is a great cooked fish to give your dog. Salmon is a good healthy, fatty fish which is also a good source of omega 3 fatty acids, protein and B vitamins. These omega 3 fats support the immune system and can be beneficial for skin and coat health.

Eggs are a great source of very digestible protein, riboflavin, and selenium. Eggs are a source of biotin, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B9, and Vitamin B12, among other things. For some dogs that are prone to digestive upset, eggs can give them a little protein boost. If you do a lot of training with your dog, consider taking cooked eggs to your next class as a training treat. A small portion of scrambled egg is also a perfect ‘small bland meal’ for your dog if they have just had an operation and require something light, just don’t add milk and butter.

If your dog is into fruit, then slices of apples, oranges, bananas, and watermelon make tasty treats for them. Melon is packed with lots of vitamins C and B-6, plus fibre, folate, niacin and potassium. Cantaloupes have a lot of beta-carotene in them, which is very good for your dog’s vision. They are very low in calories, healthy and packed with water which helps quench their thirst, especially on hot sunny days. But make sure to properly prepare the fruit for them beforehand and remove any seeds,stems and leaves which can cause serious problems. For example apple pips and other fruit stones can contain traces of arsenic so avoid your dog eating the fruit whole or eating apple cores from the ground.

Fruit berries are good for us and also good for your dog too. Blueberries are a great ‘superfood’ and are packed with high levels of vitamin C. Like blueberries, strawberries are also full of antioxidants, which means that they can protect your cells against the effects of ‘free radicals.’ Free radicals can cause damage to our cells. It is believed that these harmful molecules can affect us in ways that cause cancer, heart disease, and other health problems. So, antioxidants which come from berries, can help protect us, and our dogs, from the harm caused by free radicals. Dogs can also eat blackberries, raspberries and cranberries.

Your dog can have a healthy snack of carrot sticks, green beans, cucumber slices, peas or zucchini slices. All these are fine for your dog. They are good for your dog if they are cooked and even better raw or even frozen, chopped into small treat size chunks. Beets for example are packed full of nutritional goodies. They contain beta-carotene, fibre, iron, potassium, magnesium, and vitamins A, B and C, just to start. On top of their laundry list of vitamins and minerals, beets are also well-regarded as being of particular benefit for liver health and are frequently used for cleansing and detoxifying. If your dog has a liver ailment, beets could do him a world of good. Even if your dog is completely healthy, beets still make a tasty and healthy snack.If your dog is averse to eating veggies, be patient and keep enticing them. Just like children, dogs get used to the taste of vegetable and start enjoying them as part of their diet.

Green beans are a good source of plant fibre, vitamin K, vitamin C, and manganese. If your dog has a tendency to put on weight, then replace some of their regular food with green beans. Green beans are a low calorie way to fill them up and help them maintain a healthy weight. Many dogs actually enjoy green beans frozen.

Sweet potatoes, pumpkin and squash is very good for your dog. They are low in calories, not as starchy as normal potatoes and are a good source of beta Carotene, vitamin B6, vitamin C and fibre. A small normal plain baked potato is okay for your dog, but don’t add butter or seasoning. Also be sure not to let your dog eat any RAW potatoes or any potato plants which might be growing in your garden. Squash can be baked, then remove the seeds and cut it into treat size portions and freeze it. It is great for a dogs anal glands and prevents constipation. A serving of squash will provide beta carotene, Vitamin C and fibre.

Dogs can eat bread but only in SMALL portions and NOT on a regular basis. Bread can serve as an occasional treat but really nothing more than that. It is high in calories. Try toasting a slice of wholemeal bread and then cutting it up into small chunks, these are great to use as training ‘treats’.

Dogs may enjoy plain white rice or pasta after it’s cooked. Rice can be just what your dog needs if they are experiencing stomach problems. A serving of plain white rice with some boiled chicken can sometimes provide welcome relief from gastrointestinal upset. While both types of rice are a fine source of energy for your dog, white rice is easier to digest and brown rice contains more protein and less starch. A portion of rice provides lactic acid, fibre and carbohydrates for energy. Just don’t add anything to it and don’t feed them your left overs if it’s covered in a garlic, onion or a tomato based sauce!

Although macadamia nuts are a big danger to your dog, peanut butter on the other hand is a healthy, high-protein treat for your dog. It’s also a good source of vitamins and contains healthy fats that are good for your dog. It also contains protein, folic acid and vitamin E. But stick to all-natural peanut butter without added salt or sugar. It’s much healthier for them (and you too!). Try smearing some inside or on top of one of your dog’s toys, or let him lick out the container when it’s almost finished. Only give them peanut butter in small quantities though and if your dog has an allergic reaction to peanuts, contact your vet.

Although milk is bad for your dog, yogurt on the other hand is full of nutrients and especially pro biotics, which are healthy for your pets digestive system. Yogurt is also a good source of available calcium and protein. When choosing yogurt, pick one that has live active bacteria and no sugars or artificial sweeteners. Give your dog some plain, all-natural yogurt so they can receive some extra nutrition. They should be fed yogurt as a small, occasional treat, not an as everyday thing. Most importantly, if you dog is prone to weight-gain, please feed non-fat yogurt only!

You can even share popcorn with your doggy pal in front of a movie or out on the go. Make sure it has no salt or butter added and be sure to air pop it rather than in hot oil. Popcorn provides your dog (and you) with calcium, phosphorous, and magnesium. It is also a great training treat and keeps well in an air tight container.

Flax seed (ground or oil) is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential fatty acids that are good for a dogs skin and coat. Whole flax seeds are best if ground right before feeding as this type of fat can go rancid rather quickly. Flax seed can also be added to your dog’s diet as a source of fibre. Flax oil is a more concentrated form of omega- 3 fatty acids without the fibre. Make sure that you store the oil or seeds in the fridge in an air tight dark container.

Oatmeal is a healthy superfood for humans and can also be beneficial to your dog. Oatmeal is also a good source of soluble fibre which can be beneficial for some older dogs that may be having trouble maintaining their bowel regularity. Oatmeal should always be fed cooked and plain with no sugar or flavouring.

Why not have a go at making your own doggie treats and healthy meals for your dog? You will be surprised how many dog cookbooks have been published in the past few years. From small mutt munchies to making meals for your canine, you can cook them up a healthy meal, knowing full well what’s gone into it. Just let’s hope your dog actually eats it after you have gone to all that trouble…as we all know dogs can be your worst critic! There are some great dog recipe books that can inspire you and they also make a perfect quirky gift for any loving dog owner.