Dog Eats: What human foods can we give to our cuddly pets?

Dog Eats: What human foods can we give to our cuddly pets?

By: Brandon Foley

Source: Photo by Maksim Goncharenok

We love our canine companions to the moon and back. We make deep connections with our pets to the point that they are members of the family. Despite this, it’s worth remembering that they have different biology from us. Dogs have specific dietary needs, leading to the question, what can we give them? Fortunately, the American Kennel Club has some helpful insights.

Good:

Tuna: Good in small amounts, we need to be mindful that it contains mercury and sodium, which can cause mercury poisoning. We should remember our pets are far smaller than we are, so what is acceptable to us isn’t necessarily okay for them.

Ham: Fine, but it has lots of salt and fat. A rare morsel, but it shouldn’t be a regular habit.

Excessive sodium from it can result in diarrhea and vomiting, so use it sparingly. That said, it isn’t a death sentence to give a small scrap of ham once now and again.

Coconut: Good for bacteria and breath. Lauric acid can fight plaque and tartar, two bacteria that cause bad breath. According to earthbuddypet.com, it’s medium-chain fatty acids and medium-chain triglycerides.

Honey: Loads of good stuff! Honey has a lot of benefits. Vitamin A, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. It’s natural sugar, making it a somewhat healthy way to give them a delicious occasional treat. Though be careful not to give unpasteurized honey, as it contains spores of Clostridium Botulinum, which can cause botulism in immunocompromised pets.

Bad:

Chocolate: No go! Even teeny tiny bits are toxic for them. The methylxanthines in them can cause seizures, irregular heartbeats, and shut down their metabolic system. Keep any away from them. Also, if it comes with foil, immediately dispose of it, as the smell can cause them to try to eat it; the foil is metal that can tear up their insides.

Garlic: Watch out! Garlic has thiosulfate and can cause anemia. Avoid giving them anything with garlic powder. If they get some, watch your pet carefully, and if it’s a large amount, see a vet immediately. If you aren’t sure, be cautious; avoid giving them anything you are not 100% clear on.

Bread: Not too bad, but they don’t need it as it’s unhealthy. Treats contain quite a bit of bread, and their diet should consist of no more than 10% of bread according to Purina. There are a variety of breads, for which the site gives some information. They can have bread crusts, white bread, rye, and whole grain if there are no seeds, nuts, or fruits in it.

Peanut Butter: While it isn’t entirely toxic, look at the label for xylitol, as that artificial sweetener is toxic to dogs. Common brands that use it in their products are Nuts 'N More, Krush Nutrition (Nutty By Nature), P28 Foods, Go Nuts Co., and No Cow. Instead, there are safer alternatives, Intracoastal West suggests. 365 Every Day Value Smooth at Whole Foods, Teddie Supper Chunky on Amazon, Adams Natural at Target and Walmart, and Fix & Fogg at Sprout and Thrive are xylitol-free and safe for dogs.

So while they’re giving us the puppy dog eyes, just remember that we can’t give them all the scraps off our plate. Sometimes, as hard as it is, we have to tell them no and feed them foods they can actually eat.