Helpful Hints - Good Foods For Your Dogs!

Good Eats For Your Dogs

Posted by: N Gilbert

Chocolate - a NO NO for dogs!

In one of our Helpful Hints articles, we brought to you the foods that are toxic to your furry babies. Here's our new article on the people foods that are SAFE to give your dog, once in a while. Always remember, moderation is key. Just because peanut butter is okay for them, doesn't mean that you can give them an entire jar of it all at once...





We try to keep our dogs on their canine diets, but sometimes we just can’t resist slipping them an occasional human morsel, especially when you have dogs like mine where they prey on showing you their sad, "feel sorry for me" faces whenever I'm eating something that they want. If you’d like to reward your pet with a table scrap, make sure that you choose people foods that are safe for canine tummies. ♥








Here are a few “dog-approved” people foods:

• 1. Peanut Butter. A favorite treat of many canines. Not only is it a good source of protein, but it also contains heart healthy fats, vitamin B, niacin, and vitamin E. Stuff peanut butter into a Kong to keep your dog busy for hours. Choose raw, unsalted peanut butter.
• 2. Cooked Chicken. Can be slipped into the bowl along with your dog’s regular food to add a spice and extra protein to its diet. This also makes a good meal replacement if you’re in a pinch and out of dog food. I usually boil a few small breasts in water, let them sit til they cool off, and then shred them and stick them in a container in the fridge as a treat for my girls. They enjoy it lots!
• 3. Cheese. A great treat for a dog as long as she isn’t lactose intolerant, which a small percentage are. Make sure to monitor your dog’s reaction. Opt for low or reduced fat varieties and don’t overfeed, as many cheeses can be high in fat. Cottage cheese is typically a good choice.
• 4. Baby Carrots. Good for a dog’s teeth, carrots are low calorie and high in fiber and beta carotene/vitamin A.
• 5. Yogurt. High in calcium and protein. But make sure to only choose yogurts that do not contain artificial sweeteners or added sugars. Yogurts with active bacteria can act as a probiotic and are good for your dog’s digestive system.
• 6. Salmon. A good source of omega 3 fatty acids, which are responsible for keeping your dog’s coat healthy and shiny, as well as supporting your dog’s immune system. Feed your dog cooked salmon, add salmon oil to her food bowl, or slip him some of your unwanted fish skins.
• 7. Pumpkin. Good source of fiber as well as beta-carotene/vitamin A. It can help keep the GI tract moving and can aid with digestive issues.
• 8. Eggs. Scrambling up an egg for your pup is a great way to give her diet a protein boost. Eggs are also a source of easily digestible riboflavin and selenium, making them a healthy snack.
• 9. Green Beans. Make a great treat for your dog since they are filling and low in calories. Select beans that have no added salt.
• 10. Apple Slices. Help to clean residue off a dog’s teeth, which helps to freshen her breath. Apples are a good source of fiber as well as vitamin A and C. Make sure to take out the seeds and the core before feeding to your dog, as these can be choking hazards!!!
• 11. Oatmeal. A great source of soluble fiber, which can be especially beneficial to senior dogs with bowel irregularity issues. It is also a great alternate grain for dogs allergic to wheat. Make sure to cook oatmeal before serving it to your dog. Do not add any sugar or flavor additives.
• 12. Flax Seed (ground or oil). A good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential fatty acids that are good for skin and coat. Whole flax seeds are best if ground right before feeding as this type of fat can go rancid quickly. Flax seed can also be added to your dog’s diet as a source of fiber. Flax oil is a more concentrated form of omega- 3 fatty acids without the fiber. Make sure that you store the oil or seeds in the fridge in an air tight dark container.
• 13. Sweet Potatoes. Another source of dietary fiber and contain vitamin B6, vitamin C, beta carotene, and manganese. Sweet potatoes are great sliced and dehydrated as a chewy treat for your dog. There are so many dog treats on the market that we often overlook the simple, healthy, and reasonably priced treats available at our grocery store.
• 14. Rice. Rice is good to feed when your dog has an upset tummy and needs a bland meal. There are a variety of different types of rice. Brown rice is a little higher in protein and a little lower in fat when compared to white rice. White or instant rice is an easily digestible carbohydrate which makes it a good source of energy when your dog has an upset tummy or if you are feeding an older dog.
• 15. Squash. Like pumpkin, can be added to bulk up your dog's stool and is a good source of beta-carotene (pro-vitamin A). Hint: remove the seeds and then slice and freeze the squash to make it a fun, crunchy snack for your dog.
• 16. Popcorn. Popcorn that has been air popped with NO BUTTER OR SALT is a great low calorie treat for your dog. Popcorn contains potassium as well as the bone-building minerals phosphorous, magnesium, and calcium. So snuggle up and share that popcorn with your furry friend next time you watch a movie.
• 17. Lean Meat. Beef or Pork with NO visible fat and no added sauces or seasonings can be a great training treat or can add a bit of good-quality extra protein to your dog’s diet. Lean meat is an excellent, balanced source of amino acids, the building blocks of muscle in your dog’s body. Meat is also a great source of B vitamins (Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Pantothenic acid, Pyridoxine, and Cobalamine). These vitamins are involved in energy metabolism in the body.
• 18. Liver. YUK!!! While I am personally NOT a fan of Liver, this stuff is available freeze-dried in most pet stores and it is a great training treat. You can also buy it fresh in the grocery store to feed at home. Fresh liver can be cooked and then baked to make your own liver treats - again, YUK! Liver is an excellent source of B vitamins (Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Pantothenic acid, and Folic acid), Vitamin A, and Vitamin K. It is also a great source of iron. Warning: Too much liver may be toxic to dogs because of its high vitamin A content. Therefore, it is best to limit the amount of liver fed to your dog to not more than 1 g of fresh liver/Kg body weight per day.
• 19. Pineapple. This can be a special treat for your dog. Pineapple contains mostly sugar but it also contains calcium and potassium. Frozen pineapple can be a fun summer treat for your dog. Remember, MODERATION!
• 20. Cottage Cheese. This stuff is high in protein and calcium and it’s fairly bland, so it can be a good way to add some extra protein to your dog’s diet. Cottage Cheese is a dairy product and some dogs don’t do well with dairy, so make sure you start with just a small amount.
• 21. Parsley. Parsley has long been thought to improve doggie breath, so next time you are baking treats for your dog, try adding a few tablespoons of chopped parsley for added flavor and color. Parsley can also be a good source of calcium, potassium, and beta-carotene.
• 22. Peas. This veggie can be added right to your dog’s food, frozen or thawed. Peas are a good source of the B vitamin Thiamin, phosphorous, and potassium.

Please read this carefully and look at the foods NOT to give your dogs below in the photo!

These are just a few of the human foods that you can toss your dog’s way. Remember to try them in small amounts. If your dog experiences any sort of reaction, immediately consult a veterinarian. Before giving your dog any people food, do your research to make sure it’s safe. Never feed your dog toxic human items such as: chocolate, onions, grapes, raisins, yeast dough, artificial sweeteners, macadamia nuts, avocados, alcohol, or coffee. Consult your veterinarian with any questions on what is safe and what is harmful.


If you have any suggestions, advice, or things that we can add to this article, please comment below or email us with your inquiries!