Food You Can Share With Your Dog

As responsible pet owners, we like to think that we are doing the best for our canine companions, especially when it comes to feeding them. Part of our love for our furry friends is treating them like members of the family. As such, we are often tempted to share our own food with them. After all, dogs are well known for their lack of fuss when it comes to what they will eat and many of them will happily chow down on virtually anything that is put in front of them – often whether it is actually edible or not!

From leftover scraps to biscuits and candy, by offering human foods, many of us believe that we are giving our beloved pooches a little treat. However, not all human foods should be given as part of your dog’s regular diet. In fact, some can be downright dangerous for your canine companion and should be avoided at all costs.

It is also important to remember that dogs, just like humans, can suffer from food intolerances. If you are thinking of introducing new foods to your dog’s diet, do so one at a time as this will help you to identify the cause of any reactions that your pet might have.

To help you figure out which of your meals you can prepare for two, we have put together this handy guide to food that you can safely share with your dog.

Meat

Dogs are carnivores by nature, and their diet should consist primarily of meat. However, before you toss your leftover sausages in to Fido’s bowl, there are a couple of considerations that you should make. These include:

- Choose lean meat every time. Excess fat can give your pooch a belly ache, so opt for lean cuts of chicken, turkey, pork and beef.

- Don’t share flavored meat. While some chicken cooked in BBQ sauce may be innocuous to us, strong flavors and spices can play havoc with your canine’s digestive system.

- Make sure the meat is free from bones, however large or small. Dogs chewing on bones is an extremely common misconception. However, the truth is that eating bones can be very dangerous for your pet. Even the smallest fragments of bone that are swallowed can cause damage to the trachea, oesophagus and digestive tract. Alternatively, bone may become lodged and cause your dog to choke.

Apples

The saying goes ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor at bay’ – this includes the doggy doctor too! A sweet yet nutritious treat, apples are also a good way of keeping on top of your pooch’s fiber intake, helping to prevent constipation. Don’t forget to remove the core before you share with your pet, as the seeds are toxic if ingested.

Berries

Berries are another extremely healthy treat for your furry friend. They are full of cancer-fighting antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and can be popped into a plastic pot and taken out with you if your dog needs a little mid-adventure pick-me-up. Make sure you give them a thorough wash before you offer them!

Eggs

Eggs provide another great source of protein for your dog, and they can be given to your dog either as a snack on their own, or added to their regular wet or dry food. Try and stick to unseasoned scrambled or hard-boiled varieties, as they tend to be healthier than fried eggs.

Tuna

Many people associate cats with fishy meals, but most dogs like them too. Fish is very nutritious, and varieties like tuna can help bulk out your pooch’s regular meals. Just like humans, tuna should be fed to your dog in moderation, and water-based cans are better for his health than those in oil.

Rice

If you are cooking plain rice to go with one of your meals, you can happily share some with your canine pal. Plain, boiled organic rice can be a great addition to your dog’s wet or dry food. Never feed them flavored varieties as garlic, onion and other spices can make them extremely unwell.

Cheese

Cheese and crackers is a popular snack among humans, and one that your dog will probably enjoy too. High in calcium and protein, cheese is a healthy choice of treat, and one that is often used in puppy training. Giving small cubes of cheese is a great way to reinforce positive behavior.

This list represents just some of the human foods that you can share with your canine companion, and they should be fed as part of a healthy, balanced diet. For further advice on which foods you can feed your pet, contact Parkland Animal Clinic and speak to our veterinarian today.