We have posted a few articles in the past about human food for dogs and how it can potentially harm your pet. So this week we decided to look at the other side of the table, so to speak, and create a list of perfectly safe and healthy human food for dogs. It is important to keep in mind that these human foods are great to share with your dog in small portions or as a sidekick to their normal dog food regimen but should not become the main part of their diet. These human foods that are good for dogs can all be used to bring a little color and flavor into your pet's life.
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Popcorn - This is an easy treat you can share with your pet pal in front of the television or out on the go. Use no salt or butter and be sure to air pop. Provides: Calcium, Phosphorous, and Magnesium |
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Sweet Potatoes - Why not make your own dog treats by cutting this colorful tuber into small pieces and dehydrating? You can save money and give your dog a delicious snack that is packed with vitamins. Provides: Beta Carotene, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Fiber |
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Green Beans - These nutritious beans are a great way to substitute a little low calorie filler to your pet's usual food. They can be served thawed or frozen; your dog will love them either way. Provides: Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Manganese |
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Squash - This yellow gourd can be served in many ways to your pet. You can bake it and remove the seeds or cut it into treat size portions and freeze it. It is great for the anal glands and preventing constipation. Provides: Beta Carotene, Vitamin C |
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Peas - These little jewels are a great human food for dogs. They can be added into pretty much any other dog food in order to infuse it with healthy nutrients. Dogs will enjoy them either fully thawed or froze. Provides: Potassium, Thiamin, Phosphorous |
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Apples - An apple a day keeps the vet away! Well, maybe not completely away but it sure doesn't hurt. This fruit is packed with vitamins and fiber and the skin is rich in phytonutrients that can prevent disease. Be sure to cut away the seeds and core. Provides: Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Fiber |
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Pineapple - This spiky fruit contains a delicious treat for your furry friend. This is another human food for dogs that you can serve fresh or frozen. Pineapple is a great source of minerals but also has the added advantage of stopping your dog from eating their stool. Provides: Potassium, Calcium |
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Rice - Not exactly the most flavorful human food for dogs, rice can be just what your pup needs if they are experiencing stomach problems. While both types of rice a fine source of energy for your pet, white rice is easier to digest and brown rice contains more protein and less starch. Provides: Lactic Acid, Fiber, Carbohydrates |
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Salmon - Be sure to cook this fishy snack before serving it. The micro-organisms in raw salmon can be dangerous to dogs. Salmon helps your pet build a strong immune system and can help keep their fur and skin healthy. Provides: Omega-3 Acids, Protein, B Vitamins |
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Peanut Butter - What dog doesn’t love this creamy spread? You can just let your pal clean out the empty jar or apply a little to his squeaky toy. It will be entertaining in the very least. Provides: Protein, Folic Acid, Vitamin E |
Feel free to let you dog try any of these as they are all very safe and healthy alternatives to just blindly feeding them from the table. Extra foods should never make up more than 1/4th of your pet's diet and should only be given to them in order to supplement their current food. The same pet food every day can be boring and you always have the option to brighten it up a little with any of the above choices along with many other safe human food for dogs.
- Russ Barker
Russ Barker is a jack of all trades at DogTagArt.com, an organization with pet safety as it's goal that creates personalized pet ID tags. To make sure pets of all kinds are returned to their proper owners when lost, they offer stunning full-color personalized pet tags featuring over 500 designs as well as a "custom tag creator" that lets you use your own photos or artwork.
