As loving dog parents, we constantly seek ways to enrich our furry companions’ lives, and a big part of that involves their diet. While commercial dog food provides balanced nutrition, many human foods can offer excellent health benefits and add exciting variety to your dog’s meals and treats. Understanding What Food Can We Give To Dogs is crucial for their well-being, as some human foods are highly toxic, while others are wonderfully nutritious. This comprehensive guide will walk you through a variety of safe and healthy options, detailing their benefits, proper preparation, and essential precautions to ensure your dog enjoys these treats safely.
Supplementing your dog’s diet with certain human foods can boost their intake of essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber, contributing to everything from improved digestion and a stronger immune system to better skin and coat health. However, it’s vital to remember that treats should only make up a small portion of your dog’s daily caloric intake – typically no more than 10%. Always introduce new foods slowly and in small quantities to monitor for any adverse reactions. If you’re ever in doubt about what your dog can and cannot eat, especially concerning the many items that can be harmful, it’s always best to consult your veterinarian or refer to resources on what are foods that dogs cannot eat.
A dog looking at a variety of healthy and safe foods like fruits, vegetables, and cooked meat, with a focus on good nutrition for dogs.
Fruits: Nature’s Sweet Treats for Dogs
Fruits are packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber, making them delightful and healthy snacks for dogs. Remember to always remove any pits, seeds, or rinds, as these can be choking hazards or contain toxic compounds.
Apples
Apples are a fantastic, crunchy snack for dogs, offering a wealth of health benefits. They are rich in vitamins A and C, which are crucial for maintaining a strong immune system, promoting healthy bone growth, and supporting good vision. The fiber content in apples, particularly pectin, aids in digestive health, helping to regulate bowel movements and prevent constipation.
Preparation & Serving: Always remove the core and seeds before offering apples to your dog. Apple seeds contain small amounts of cyanide, which can be harmful if consumed in large quantities. Cut the apple into small, bite-sized pieces to prevent choking, especially for smaller breeds or enthusiastic eaters. Plain, unpeeled apple slices are best.
Bananas
Bananas are a tasty and easily digestible fruit, especially well-suited for older dogs or those with sensitive teeth due to their soft texture. They are a powerhouse of nutrients, contributing significantly to a dog’s overall health. Bananas are known for their ability to help reduce blood pressure and promote heart health thanks to their high potassium content.
Key Nutrients & Benefits:
- Fiber: Essential for a healthy digestive system.
- Folate (Vitamin B9): Vital for healthy cell growth and function.
- Lectin: May help improve blood sugar regulation and intestinal health.
- Potassium: Crucial for fluid balance, nerve function, and kidney health.
- Tryptophan: An essential amino acid that plays a role in regulating sleep, appetite, and mood.
- Vitamin C: A powerful antioxidant that boosts immunity and reduces inflammation.
Preparation & Serving: Offer bananas in moderation due to their sugar content. A few slices or a small mashed portion can be a great treat or even a special addition to a puzzle toy.
Blueberries
These small, deep-purple berries are a delightful and nutritious treat for dogs. Blueberries are celebrated for being a rich source of vitamins C, K, and A, as well as powerful antioxidants. These compounds help combat free radicals in the body, which can reduce the likelihood of various diseases, disorders, and age-related issues, including cognitive decline.
Preparation & Serving: Blueberries are safe for dogs raw or frozen. They make excellent training treats or a refreshing snack on a hot day. Always offer them in moderation.
Mango
Don’t keep this delicious tropical fruit all to yourself! Mangoes are high in fiber and a fantastic source of vitamins A, B6, C, and E, making them a sweet and beneficial treat for both humans and dogs. Vitamin A supports eye health, while vitamin C boosts the immune system, and B6 is vital for metabolic processes.
Preparation & Serving: It’s absolutely crucial to remove the large pit and the peel before giving mango to your dog. The pit can be a choking hazard and contains small amounts of cyanide, while the peel can be difficult to digest and may cause stomach upset. Always cut the flesh into small, manageable pieces. Due to its natural sugar content, mango should be given in moderation to avoid causing stomach issues.
Watermelon
Watermelon is a refreshing and hydrating treat, especially during warmer months. It’s packed with vitamins A, C, and B6, and its high water content makes it a great way to help keep your dog hydrated. Vitamin A supports vision, C boosts immunity, and B6 is important for brain health and metabolic processes.
Preparation & Serving: Always remove all seeds and the rind before offering watermelon to your dog. The seeds can cause intestinal blockages, and the rind is difficult to digest and may lead to gastrointestinal upset. Cut the red, fleshy part into small, seedless pieces. As with any fruit, moderation is key due to its sugar content. For more specific information about fruits that are not suitable for dogs, you might want to read our article on what fruits are not allowed for dogs.
Vegetables: Crunchy Goodness for Canine Health
Vegetables provide essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber with fewer calories than many fruits, making them excellent additions to a dog’s diet.
Carrots
Carrots are a wonderful, crunchy treat that can offer several benefits beyond just nutrition. The firm texture of raw carrots can help scrape away plaque from your dog’s teeth, contributing to better dental hygiene. They are also an excellent source of vitamin A, which is vital for vision, immune function, and skin health.
Preparation & Serving: For teething puppies, cold or frozen carrots can be a soothing chew toy, easing discomfort. However, raw carrots can be a choking hazard, especially for young or small dogs. Always cut them into small, manageable pieces. They can be served raw, steamed, or boiled, as long as they are unseasoned.
Cauliflower (Unseasoned)
Cauliflower is a low-calorie vegetable packed with an impressive array of nutrients, making it a valuable supplement to your dog’s regular diet. It provides fiber for digestion, potent antioxidants, folate, pantothenic acid, potassium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, choline, sulforaphane, and vitamins C, K, and B6. These nutrients collectively support everything from cellular health to bone density and cognitive function.
Preparation & Serving: Despite its many benefits, cauliflower can cause gas in some dogs, so it’s best to introduce it in small amounts. It’s safe to share with your pup raw or cooked (steamed, boiled, or roasted), but it must always be unseasoned. Avoid adding salt, oils, garlic, or onions, which can be harmful.
Celery
If you’re looking for a low-calorie, hydrating treat, celery is an excellent choice, especially for dogs needing to manage their weight. It’s naturally low in fat and a good source of fiber, vitamins A, C, and K, as well as folate, potassium, and manganese. These nutrients support healthy metabolism, bone health, and immune function. An added bonus: celery may even help freshen your pet’s breath!
Preparation & Serving: Like carrots and cucumbers, celery can pose a choking hazard due to its fibrous strings and elongated shape. To prevent problems, chop the veggie into small, bite-sized pieces, particularly for smaller dogs. Serve raw or lightly steamed.
Cucumbers
Similar to celery, cucumbers are a low-calorie, hydrating, and crunchy treat that many dogs enjoy. They are virtually fat-free and sodium-free, making them an ideal snack for weight management. Cucumbers are primarily water but also contain small amounts of vitamins K, C, and B1, and minerals like potassium and copper.
Preparation & Serving: Just like celery, cucumbers can be a choking hazard due to their size and firm texture. Be sure to cut them into bite-sized pieces for your four-legged family member to ensure safe consumption.
Green Beans
Green beans are one of the best foods on this list for overweight dogs or those on a calorie-restricted diet because they are incredibly low in calories and fat. This versatile veggie is also a good source of fiber, promoting healthy digestion, and vitamin C, which boosts immunity.
Preparation & Serving: You can feed your dog cooked (steamed, boiled, or microwaved) green beans, ensuring they are plain and unseasoned. Frozen green beans also make a great crunchy, refreshing snack, especially during hot weather.
Pumpkin
Pumpkin is a fantastic, nutrient-rich supplement to almost any dog’s diet. It’s packed with vitamins A, C, and E, as well as essential minerals like iron and potassium. What truly sets pumpkin apart is its high soluble fiber content, which makes it incredibly beneficial for your dog’s digestive health. It can help alleviate various tummy issues, including both diarrhea and constipation, by regulating bowel movements. Furthermore, pumpkin is high in prebiotics, which support a healthy balance of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract.
Preparation & Serving: Pumpkin is low in calories and can be an excellent addition to your dog’s regular food, whether mixed in or given as a treat. If you’re buying canned pumpkin, always ensure it is pure pumpkin puree—not pumpkin pie filling, which contains dangerous-for-dogs additives like sugar, spices, and sometimes xylitol. You can also offer cooked fresh pumpkin, but avoid the stem and raw seeds.
For more detailed guidance on what vegetables might be unsafe, check out our article on what vegetables are dogs not allowed.
Proteins: Building Blocks for Canine Health
Lean, cooked proteins are excellent for dogs, providing essential amino acids crucial for muscle development, energy, and overall health. Always ensure proteins are thoroughly cooked and unseasoned.
Beef (Cooked)
Beef is a highly nutritious protein source that provides all essential amino acids, along with important vitamins and minerals such as iron, zinc, and B vitamins. These nutrients are vital for muscle growth, energy production, and immune function.
Preparation & Serving: If you choose to give your dog beef, make sure it’s fully cooked to eliminate any harmful bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli. Opt for lean cuts of beef, trimming off excess fat to avoid stomach upset or pancreatitis. Plain, boiled, or baked beef without any seasoning (salt, pepper, garlic, onion) is best. If possible, choose grass-fed beef, as it tends to be a better source of beneficial fatty acids than grain-fed cattle. Serve in small, manageable pieces.
Chicken (Cooked and Unseasoned)
Plain, boiled chicken is often recommended by veterinarians for dogs with an upset stomach due to its easy digestibility, high protein content, and low fat. It provides a gentle source of essential amino acids and energy during recovery.
Preparation & Serving: Chicken should always be fully cooked and unseasoned. Never give your dog chicken bones, especially cooked ones, as they can splinter easily and cause serious damage to your dog’s gastrointestinal (GI) tract, leading to blockages or perforations. While chicken is great, dogs are omnivores and require a balanced diet beyond just meat, so it’s best to offer cooked chicken as a supplement, treat, or a temporary dietary aid rather than a primary food source. It can be a great meat topper for their kibble.
Eggs (Cooked and Unseasoned)
Eggs are a powerhouse of nutrition for dogs, providing a complete protein source along with a wide range of vitamins and minerals. They are high in vitamins A, B, D, and K, as well as selenium, calcium, and zinc—all of which contribute to a super healthy treat. These nutrients support healthy skin and coat, bone health, immune function, and metabolic processes.
Preparation & Serving: It’s critical to cook eggs thoroughly, as raw eggs can contain Salmonella bacteria, which can cause food poisoning in dogs (and humans). Cooking also neutralizes avidin, a protein in raw egg whites that can interfere with biotin absorption. Your dog may enjoy scrambled eggs, hard-boiled eggs, or even an omelet, as long as they are plain and unseasoned, as a nutritious compliment to their regular diet.
Fish (Cooked and Unseasoned)
Fish, particularly fatty varieties like salmon and sardines, are excellent sources of protein and essential amino acids. They are also famously rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are crucial for maintaining healthy skin and a shiny coat, reducing inflammation, supporting joint health, and promoting cognitive function. Sardines offer an added benefit: their soft bones provide a valuable boost of calcium.
Preparation & Serving: With the exception of sardines, which have small, soft bones that are safe to consume, it is crucial to remove all bones from other types of fish before feeding them to your dog, as bones can be a choking hazard or cause internal injury. Always fully cook fish to eliminate parasites and bacteria, and ensure it is unseasoned. Limit your dog’s intake to no more than two servings per week to avoid potential issues from excessive mercury exposure (though generally low in smaller fish).
Turkey (Cooked and Unseasoned)
Like chicken, turkey is a lean, excellent source of protein, providing essential amino acids necessary for muscle maintenance and overall health. It’s a great option for adding variety to your dog’s diet.
Preparation & Serving: When feeding turkey to your dog, always ensure it is fully cooked and completely unseasoned. It is vital to remove all skin, bones, and excessive fat. The skin is often fatty and can lead to digestive upset, while bones (especially cooked ones) can splinter and cause severe internal damage. Lean, plain turkey meat, shredded or diced, is the safest way to offer this poultry.
Other Wholesome Additions
Beyond fruits, vegetables, and lean meats, a few other human foods can be beneficial for your canine companion.
Peanuts (Unsalted) and Peanut Butter
Peanuts are a safe and generally healthy nut for dogs, offering good fats and protein. These nutrients contribute to energy levels and overall bodily function. However, due to their high fat content, overconsumption can lead to weight gain or more serious conditions like pancreatitis in susceptible dogs.
Preparation & Serving: Only offer unsalted peanuts in moderation. Peanut butter, a perennial dog favorite, provides additional benefits with vitamins B and E, as well as fiber, all of which are good for cardiovascular and digestive health. Crucially, always ensure that the peanut butter you give your dog does not contain xylitol. Xylitol is a sugar substitute that is highly toxic to dogs, even in small amounts, and can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar, liver failure, and even death. Always check the ingredient list carefully for xylitol before sharing peanut butter.
White Rice (Cooked)
Cooked white rice is a bland and easily digestible carbohydrate often recommended by veterinarians for dogs needing a gentle diet for a few days, particularly when recovering from stomach upset or diarrhea. Its plain nature helps firm up stool and soothe the digestive tract.
Preparation & Serving: Offer plain, cooked white rice without any seasonings or butter. While beneficial for short-term dietary needs, since rice can cause a spike in blood sugar, dogs with diabetes should only consume small amounts, and only under veterinary guidance. Your vet can help you determine how much rice, if any, your dog should consume as part of their diet.
Yogurt (Plain)
While some dogs have difficulty digesting dairy products due to lactose intolerance, plain yogurt can be a wonderfully healthy treat for many dogs. The probiotics (beneficial bacteria) present in plain yogurt can help strengthen your dog’s digestive system, improving gut health and nutrient absorption.
Preparation & Serving: It is absolutely essential to only offer plain, unsweetened yogurt. Never give your dog yogurt with any added sugar, artificial sweeteners (especially xylitol), or fruit flavors, as these additives can be harmful or even toxic. Start with a very small amount to see how your dog’s digestive system reacts. For more specific guidance on this dairy product, you can explore our article on what yogurt is good for dogs.
Encouraging Healthy Eating Habits
If you find your dog is a picky eater or you’re trying to transition them to a healthier diet that includes some of these beneficial human foods, there are strategies you can employ. Sometimes adding a small amount of a highly palatable human food as a topper can encourage them to eat their regular kibble. For more tips on managing a fussy eater, consider reading about what to do to get your dog to eat.
Conclusion: Smart Snacking for a Healthy Canine Life
Understanding what food can we give to dogs is a fundamental aspect of responsible pet ownership. Incorporating safe and healthy human foods into your dog’s diet can provide additional nutrients, variety, and joy. From crunchy carrots and hydrating watermelon to lean proteins and probiotic-rich yogurt, there’s a wealth of options to choose from.
However, the golden rules remain: moderation, proper preparation, and vigilance. Always introduce new foods slowly, observe your dog for any adverse reactions, and avoid any ingredients known to be toxic. If you have any concerns about your dog’s diet or health, always consult with your veterinarian. By making informed choices, you can enhance your dog’s nutritional intake and strengthen the bond you share through healthy, shared culinary experiences.
