Mabel the Rescue Dog

9 min read (Articles narrated by Mabel)

It’s no secret that dogs love human food. I wish Molly would give me table scraps all the time, but unfortunately, not all human foods are safe for dogs. In fact, human food in general should really only be given to dogs in moderation.

So, how do you know which human foods are okay to serve your dog and which ones are harmful to them? Here is a list that covers some common foods.

Which Human Foods are Safe?

Many human foods are okay for dogs to eat, and many of them are actually used in dog foods and treats. These are the foods that you should be able to feed to your pup with no problems.

Apples

Apples are a crunchy treat that can help to clean your dog’s teeth. Plus, they are a good source of vitamins. However, you should always remove the seeds and core because they could be choking hazards.

Bananas

Bananas are another fruit that is good for dog because it is high in potassium and vitamins. This fruit does contain a high amount of sugar though, so too much at one time could be unhealthy for your pup.

Blueberries

Much like for humans, blueberries are healthy for dogs too. Dogs can enjoy frozen or dehydrated blueberries as a fun snack. However, they are high in fiber, so too many could cause diarrhea.

Carrots

Carrots are not always a favorite, but they are healthy for dogs and humans. Dogs can eat carrots raw or cooked, but either way, it is best to cut them into small pieces so that they are easier to consume.

Honey

Honey actually has lots of different nutrients that can benefit dogs. By giving your dog small amounts of honey, it can help build up their immune system and help with their allergies. Also, if you put honey on a burn or cut, this could help your dog heal faster as well.

Peanut Butter

Peanut butter is a great snack that almost every dog loves. It is a good source of protein and fat. Raw, unsalted peanut butter is the healthiest option, but any peanut butter is okay in moderation. My mom also using it as a way to cover up pills as needed, which is still delicious!

Peas

Peas are a healthy treat for your dog that is commonly found in dog food. They are a great source of vitamins, fiber, iron, potassium, and much more. It is possible for peas to cause digestive issues to certain dogs if given too often, but it can be a great treat as long as they’re unsalted.

Pork

Pork is a healthy meat for dogs that is easy to digest. Also, it is one that very few dogs are allergic to, so it can be a good source of protein for dog foods too.

Strawberries

Strawberries are a great fruit with high fiber. You can give your dog dehydrated strawberries, but never give them canned strawberries or strawberry syrup since those will contain too much sugar.

Which Human Foods are Okay Sometimes?

The following foods are okay for dogs to eat as well, but only in limited amounts or under special circumstances. Therefore, be cautious when giving these items to your dog.

Beef

Beef is a protein that is commonly used in dog foods. However, avoid fat on the beef because it could cause pancreatitis for dogs. Also, some dogs can be sensitive to beef, so keep that in mind.

Bread

Plain bread is fine for dogs, but it does not add any nutritional value. Store-bought bread may have some unnecessary preservatives, so when in doubt, it might be better just to avoid bread or give them homemade bread.

Cheese

Cheese is my favorite human food, but it should only be given to dogs in moderation. Cheese is typically high in fat, so as great as it tastes, it should not be served all the time. Also, if your dog is lactose intolerant, you should steer clear of all dairy products, including cheese.

Cherries

The pit and the stem of cherries can be toxic to dogs, but the rest of this fruit is okay for them to eat. However, cherries can give some dogs an upset stomach, so they should only eat it once in a while.

Chicken

Chicken is one of the most common proteins for dogs, and it can often be found in most dog foods. However, many dogs are actually allergic to chicken, so if you notice your dog having reactions, switch them to a different meat. Chicken should only be served cooked with no added seasoning. Also, make sure all chicken bones are removed. Chicken bones can easily splinter and become a choking hazard.

Coconut

Generally, coconut is a good treat for dogs. It can benefit dogs with bad breath and skin conditions. However, some of the oils found in a coconut could cause an upset stomach, so only give in moderation. Also, avoid the outer shell of the coconut because it could be a choking hazard.

Corn

Corn is an ingredient that is found in many dog foods. However, only serve loose corn pieces to your dog because the cob could cause an intestinal blockage.

Eggs

If you feed eggs to your dog, you must make sure they are fully cooked. They are a good source of protein that can actually help an upset stomach. Just make sure you never give your dog a raw egg.

Fish

Fish is another food that should never be served raw. Dogs can eat all kinds of different fish, including salmon, trout, and shrimp. Many dogs foods actually use fish as a main source of protein. Fish has good fat, protein, and amino acids for your dog, and it can be good for your dog’s joints, skin, and coat. Under-cooked fish can have harmful parasites on it, and you should always make sure to pick out any tiny bones in the fish before serving it to your dog.

Ham

Ham is a great source of protein for dogs that can be served warm or cold. Ham is high in sodium and fat though, so it’s not necessarily the healthiest meat for your dog.

Peanuts

While nuts are not good for your dog, peanuts are actually okay for dogs to eat. They have fats and protein just like peanut butter, but they should only be given in moderation. Plus, salted peanuts should be avoided.

Popcorn

Dogs can eat popcorn, but only if it does not have any salt or butter on it. Popcorn can actually help with digestion and eye health, so it can be a healthy snack. You should always make sure the kernels are popped all the way though otherwise they could be a choking hazard.

Potatoes

Cooked potatoes are fine for your dog to consume, but raw ones might be toxic to dogs. If you give your dog a cooked potato, make sure it has no salt or seasoning added to it. Potatoes are actually used in many dog foods, but dogs can often be allergic to them, so be careful.

Tomatoes

As long as the fruit is ripe, tomatoes are okay for dogs to eat. However, the green parts of the tomato should be removed. If the tomato is not ripe though, it could be toxic to your dog, especially in large amounts.

Turkey

Like chicken, turkey is a good meat for dogs that you need to check for bones first. Also, try to remove any extra fat or skin from the meat before serving it to your dog. Plain turkey with no seasoning or salt is the healthiest way to go.

Watermelon

Watermelon is a tasty treat for a dog, but you should make sure to remove the seeds. Seeds can cause intestinal blockage, so seedless watermelon is the healthiest choice. Also, if possible, do not give your dog the rind because they could easily choke on it.

Yogurt

Plain yogurt is okay for dogs as long as your furry friend is not lactose intolerant. The bacteria in yogurt can actually help to strengthen your dog’s digestive system. However, any yogurt with sugar or any added sweetener is not healthy for dogs.

Which Human Foods are NOT Safe?

Sadly, not all human foods are good for us to eat. No matter how good they taste, you should not give these foods to your dog.

Avocado

While avocado can actually provide a healthy coat for dogs, it can be toxic if fed in large amounts. Dogs can easily vomit or get diarrhea from eating some avocado. If your dog eats a tiny bit of avocado, they will be okay, but never make it a regular treat.

Chocolate

I’m sure you’ve hear that dogs shouldn’t have chocolate, but do you know why? Chocolate is toxic to dogs. By eating it, it could stop our metabolic process or cause vomiting and diarrhea. Even the tiniest bit of chocolate could hurt us, so please keep it out of our reach. Dark chocolate is the most harmful type.

Cinnamon

The oils in cinnamon can actually make dogs sick or cause the inside of our mouths to get irritated. Eating cinnamon could cause vomiting, diarrhea, lower blood sugar, decreased heart rate, and liver disease.

Garlic

Garlic is toxic to dogs. It can cause an elevated heart rate, pale gums, weakness, or even collapsing. Onions, leeks, and chives fall under the same harmful category, but garlic is by far the most dangerous to dogs.

Grapes

Both grapes and raisins are toxic for dogs. They could cause kidney failure for your dog, especially if they eat more than one. It is one of the few fruits that dogs need to avoid completely.

Ice Cream

Sadly, dogs actually aren’t supposed to have ice cream. It has a lot of sugar in it, which is not good for dogs. Sugar found in candies and other sweet foods could cause a lower blood sugar or liver failure. Also, for dogs that are lactose intolerant, it could be harmful. Therefore, try to stick to an ice cream that is made specially for dogs.

Nuts

Many nuts, including pecans, walnuts, and macadamia nuts are considered toxic to dogs. However, other large nuts, such as almonds, are not toxic, but they could easily get caught in your dog’s throat or scratch their windpipe if not chewed properly.

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