What Human Foods Can Dogs Eat? And What's Bad For Them?

 

Who else loves spoiling their dog? From dog treats to toys and maybe even table scraps, dog lovers tend to shower their furry friend with affection in more ways than hugs.  

Admit it, as a dog owner, you share your heart, home, and maybe even your bed with your canine pal.  

So is it wrong to share a bite of your food with your pet?  

We might not think so since dogs are omnivores, like humans. But feeding dogs human foods depends on the food and how it is prepared. Some human foods you may think are okay but actually are very unhealthy and dangerous. But then other human foods are great for your pet and provide health benefits such as joint strength, better breath, and allergy immunity.  

Three Important Tips To Feeding Your Dog Human Food

When it comes to feeding your pet human food, there are three things to remember:

Portion Size Matters

Even if the treat you want to give your dog made the safe list, how much you give them matters! Don't feed your dog the same amount you would feed yourself. Your pet should get most of their nutrition from their regular diet. And snacks/treats should be no more than 10% of their daily caloric intake.

How It is Cooked or Prepared Matters

When it comes to safe human foods your dog can eat, ensure that you don't offer them anything cooked in oils, salts, or seasonings. Also, check nutrition facts to ensure no added sugars, artificial flavors, or any other type of sweeteners.

So next time you think of feeding your dog a bite of your dinner, make sure it's safe for them, and remember portion size matters.

Watch How Your Dog Reacts to It

And just because the food made the safe list doesn't mean your dog's stomach will handle it. Some dogs have a low intolerance for dairy, citrus, or other human foods. So when you feed your dog safe human food for the first time, see how they react to it, so you know if it's healthy for your pet or not! And when in doubt, talk with your vet.

Now that you know what to look for how much to give, here are the lists of human foods that dogs can and cannot eat.

Human Foods Dogs Can Eat

Whole Grains: 

• Bread
• Popcorn (unsalted and unbuttered)
• Quinoa
• Oatmeal
• Rice

Meat & Seafood (All meat/fish should be cooked and given with no fat, skin/shell, or bones.):

• Eggs
• Fish, especially salmon and sardines
• Ham
• Pork
• Shrimp
• Tuna (unflavored, prepared in water ONLY)
• Turkey
• Beef

Fruits:

• Cantaloupe
• Pumpkin (cooked only)
• Blueberries
• Watermelon (seedless)
• Blackberries
• Apples (without seeds)
• Bananas
• Coconut (raw, unfiltered)
• Kiwi
• Mango
• Strawberries
• Pears
• Raspberries
• Cranberries
• Oranges
• Tomatoes (not leaves or stem)
• Pineapple
• Peaches (not the pits)

Vegetables:

• Cauliflower
• Corn
• Carrots (bite-size pieces)
• Broccoli
• Sweet Potatoes (cooked ONLY)
• Green Beans
• Celery
• Cucumbers
• Brussel Sprouts
• Spinach
• Yams

Dairy (if not lactose intolerant- no added sugars or artificial flavors): 

• Cheese
• Milk
• ce Cream
• Yogurt

Other:

• Honey
• Peanut Butter

Human Foods Dogs CANNOT Eat

Grains, Nuts, & Seeds:

• Almonds
• Macadamia Nuts
• Yeast dough

Fruits:

• Avocado
• Cherries (pits are extremely dangerous)
• Rhubarb

Vegetables:

• Asparagus (not toxic, just can be hard to chew and swallow)
• Onion
• Chives
• Leeks 

Other:

• Alcohol
• Chocolate
• Caffeine
• Cinnamon
• Garlic
• Spices and seasonings
• Any foods with xylitol ( a sugar substitute that is toxic to dogs) 

 

If a food item isn't listed and you are unsure about its safety for your pet, ask your vet. And if you suspect your dog has ingested something potentially harmful, call your vet, or you can call the poison control center for animals by the ASPCA at 888-426-4435. There is a small fee for the call, but they are your best resource for any animal poison-related emergency, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Our list of foods came from PetMD, a website vet written and reviewed. 

You can also download the list to print and keep on your refrigerator.