What foods can dogs eat?

Posted By: Woofmat Team On: Comment: 0 Hit: 2554

The digestive system of dogs is completely different from humans, which means that we should keep our four-legged friends on their canine diets.

However, sometimes when they look at us with their big eyes, we cannot resist sharing foods from our table.

Even though dogs do not need human foods to stay healthy, it is good to treat them with something delicious sometimes. 

So, in this article we want to talk about some human foods that are absolutely safe for dogs and that you can easily include in their diets.

·         Apples

Apples are not only safe and delicious, but also very beneficial because they are rich in fiber, vitamins A and C. 

Moreover, apples also help to clean dogs’ teeth and freshen their breath. However, if you decide to add this fruit into your pet’s diet, it is important to remove seeds: they contain cyanide that might be poisonous if consumed in large amounts.

·         Eggs

Eggs are a perfect source of protein for dogs, and, as many experts agree, eggs are even healthier and more beneficial for dogs than for humans.

However, they can be added to a dog’s diet only if they are fully cooked because raw eggs might cause biotin deficiency.

Fully cooked eggs are not only filling and rich in protein, but are also helpful in calming an upset stomach.

·         Dairy products

Most dairy products, including plain yogurt, milk and cheese are safe for dogs if given in small amounts.

Eating dairy products in larger amounts might lead to digestive problems. There are also dogs who might suffer from lactose intolerance, the symptoms of which are vomiting and diarrhea. In such case it is not recommended to give dairy products at all.

·         Fish

Fish is a great product for a dog’s diet, especially salmon that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids that helps to keep the dog’s coat shiny and healthy.

In addition, omega-3 fatty acids also strengthen the immune system of a dog, which prevents dogs from getting sick.

Besides salmon there are also other safe fish types, including lake whitefish, tuna, Arctic char, swordfish, walleye, and some others.

However, it is important to remember that some fish types can contain heavy metals, like mercury for example. Consumption of heavy metals might lead to metal toxicity and cause different health problems.

·         Peanut butter

Unsweetened pure peanut butter is absolutely safe for dogs and can diversify canine diet.

Moreover, it is very beneficial too because it contains such healthy elements as vitamins B and E, protein, niacin, and healthful fats.

However, it is very important to make sure that there is no xylitol in peanut butter that is very toxic to dogs and can cause unfortunate results.

·         Bananas

If you are thinking about a sweet treat for your dog, bananas are a perfect and a very healthy option.

Rich in fiber, they are among favorite snack both for dogs and their owners. Very often bananas are meshed with regular dog’s food to make it more nutritious.

It is important to know though, that since bananas are high in sugar, it is better not to give your dog more than 2 bananas per day.

·         Tomatoes

It is another vegetable that you can add to the menu of your four-legged companion.

However, experts say that you should be very careful with the amount: eating too many tomatoes might hurt the dog’s stomach due to the high acidity of this vegetable.

Therefore, a good alternative might be canned tomatoes. Also, owners should prevent their pets from eating tomato leaves that are very toxic and might cause such symptoms as diarrhea, vomiting and even changes in behavior.

·         Blueberries

You might  not know it, but blueberries is actually one of the best natural vegetarian snack for dogs due to few calories, their small size and a great amount of necessary vitamins and antioxidants that help a dog to say healthy and active.

Moreover, they also contain special minerals that strengthen the dog’s immune system.

·         Bread

As long as given occasionally and in moderate amounts, plain bread is safe for dogs. It is not going to hurt your dog’s stomach, especially if the diet of your pet is complete and balanced.

However, veterinarians remind dog owners, that bread is very high in calories, so you should make sure that your dog stays active.

·         Popcorn

If you decide to spend a night in front of TV with a bowl of popcorn, feel free to share your delicious snack with your canine.

In general, plain fresh popcorn is a great dog treat, as long as it is not loaded with butter, salt, sugar or any other artificial ingredients.

·         Cucumbers

Cucumbers are one of the favorite vegetables of many dogs. Veterinarians recommend to give cucumbers to overweight canines because they have few carbohydrates, fats and oils, which helps dogs to stay healthy and do not gain more weight.

Moreover, it has been proved that cucumbers boost energy.  In addition this vegetable is loaded with the vitamins B1, K and C and such elements as magnesium, copper and potassium.

·         Pineapples

Pineapple is another great sweet treat for dogs.  This juice tropical fruit is full of minerals, fiber and vitamins that are important for keeping a dog healthy and active.

Moreover, pineapples also contain a special enzyme known as bromelain that helps canines to absorb proteins better and faster. 

As you can see, dog can eat most of our human foods without any harm to their health. Moreover, some of these products are even better and more beneficial for dogs then for us.

However, before adding some of the foods from the list above to the menu of your canine, it is better to talk to your veterinarian and make sure that it is going be the right addition to the dog’s diet.

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