There are some human foods that can be safely added to your dog’s meals in moderation to give a nutritional boost to their diet and add a bit of variety to the food bowl though this is mainly for our benefit. Dogs, unlike humans are content to eat the same food every day!
Just a note that any additions to your dogs' meals shouldn’t comprise more than 25 percent of their weekly calorie intake.
As always, check with your veterinarian before making any major changes to your dog’s diet, especially if they are on any medications. Upsetting the vitamin and mineral balances in your dog’s diet can have negative effects on your dog’s health and some medications interact badly with some nutrients.
#1. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is also an alternative source of grain for dogs that are allergic to wheat. It can be fed in conjunction with probiotics to enhance their function.
Keep in mind oatmeal should always be fed cooked and plain with no sugar or flavouring.
#2. Yoghurt
Yoghurt is a good source of available calcium and protein and can assist if your pooch suffers from digestion problems. When choosing yoghurt, pick one that has live active bacteria and no sugars or artificial sweeteners. The active bacteria may act as probiotics. If your dog is slightly overweight, make sure that you pick fat-free yoghurt but not one containing added sugar or an artificial sweetener. Frozen yogurt can make a nice summer treat for dogs.
#3. Eggs
Eggs are a great source of very digestible protein, riboflavin, and selenium.
For some dogs that are prone to digestive upset, eggs can give them a little protein boost. Adding eggs to your dog’s food is a healthy treat. Make sure to use cooked whole egg, as raw egg whites can cause biotin deficiency.
If you do a lot of training with your dog, consider taking cooked eggs to your next class as training treats.
#4. Salmon
Salmon is a fatty fish which is also a good source of Omega- 3 Fatty Acids. These fats support the immune system and can be beneficial for both skin and coat health. There has also been some indication that they may benefit dogs with allergies. You can feed salmon or salmon oil. If feeding salmon, make sure it’s cooked before serving, as raw salmon can carry a parasite that can make your dog sick.
#5. Meat
For some dogs that are prone to digestive upset, eggs can give them a little protein boost. Adding eggs to your dog’s food is a healthy treat. Make sure to use cooked whole egg, as raw egg whites can cause biotin deficiency.
If you do a lot of training with your dog, consider taking cooked eggs to your next class as training treats.
#4. Salmon
Salmon is a fatty fish which is also a good source of Omega- 3 Fatty Acids. These fats support the immune system and can be beneficial for both skin and coat health. There has also been some indication that they may benefit dogs with allergies. You can feed salmon or salmon oil. If feeding salmon, make sure it’s cooked before serving, as raw salmon can carry a parasite that can make your dog sick.
#5. Meat
What dog's nose doesn't go on alert when there's meat around?
If your dog requires extra protein in his diet, cooked unseasoned chicken, turkey, lean mince beef, and chuck steak or roast are an easy addition to his regular food and a good meal replacement if you find yourself out of dog food.
A few rules apply:
#6. Pumpkin
Pumpkin (raw or in a can) is a good source of fibre and beta carotene (a source of vitamin A).
Dogs need fibre in their diet. The current trend is towards highly digestible diets that lower stool volume but this is not necessarily a good thing.
Keeping the GI tract (gastrointestinal tract) moving helps keep the cells lining the gut healthy.
#7. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are another great source of dietary fibre and contain vitamin B6, vitamin C, beta carotene, and manganese. Sweet potatoes are great sliced and dehydrated as a chewy treat for your dog.
#8. Green Beans
Green beans (either fresh or canned with no added salt) are a good source of plant fibre, vitamin K, vitamin C, and manganese.
If your dog has a tendency to put on weight, then replacing some of his regular food with green beans is a great low calorie way to fill him up and help maintain his weight.
#9. Broccoli
This vitamin-rich vegetable can be a great occasional nutrition boost for dogs. However, the head of broccoli contains an ingredient called Isothiocyanate which can cause gastric irritation, therefore it shouldn't make up more than 5% of your dog's diet. The stems are probably the safest part for dogs since only the top flowery head contains that harmful chemical.
#10. Carrots
This popular vegetable is packed with vitamin A, C, D, E, K, B1 and B6. Raw carrots are low in calories and constitute a nice canine treat on occasion. Plus, crunching on carrots can be good for your dog's teeth. Cooked carrots can also be fed but don't be tempted to add spices, sugar or salt.
#11. Flax seed
Flax seed (ground or oil) is a good source of Omega-3 Fatty Acids, which are essential fatty acids that are good for skin and coat.
Whole flax seeds are best if ground right before feeding as this type of fat can go rancid quickly. Flax seed can also be added to your dog’s diet as a source of fibre. Flax oil is a more concentrated form of omega- 3 fatty acids without the fibre. Make sure that you store the oil or seeds in the fridge in an air tight dark container.
#12. Apples
As long as you are feeding your dog a high quality dog food, they likely won't suffer from nutritional deficiencies and there is no need to supplement their diet with raw or cooked fruits like apples.
An occasional treat is ok but your dog could experience stomach discomfort, including diarrhea.
Apple seeds, however, contain cyanide so your dog should not be allowed to eat the core.
#13. Peanut Butter
Besides its irresistible taste, peanut butter is loaded with large amounts of proteins, vitamins, antioxidants and quality fats, which are all healthy for dogs.
Peanut butter also contains Omega fatty acids which promotes health and reduces bad cholesterol.
Several brands now offer sugar-free peanut butters which contain xylitol - an artificial sweetener extremely toxic to dogs - so please read the ingredients label to ensure it is not present.
Do you ever cook for your dog? What do you make? Share with us in the comments below.
A few rules apply:
- Always cook meat well. Never serve it raw or undercooked.
- Avoid fatty cuts, including bacon.
- Cut meat - and any human food - into easy-to-chew chunks. Ground meat is fine, too.
#6. Pumpkin
Pumpkin (raw or in a can) is a good source of fibre and beta carotene (a source of vitamin A).
Dogs need fibre in their diet. The current trend is towards highly digestible diets that lower stool volume but this is not necessarily a good thing.
Keeping the GI tract (gastrointestinal tract) moving helps keep the cells lining the gut healthy.
#7. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are another great source of dietary fibre and contain vitamin B6, vitamin C, beta carotene, and manganese. Sweet potatoes are great sliced and dehydrated as a chewy treat for your dog.
#8. Green Beans
If your dog has a tendency to put on weight, then replacing some of his regular food with green beans is a great low calorie way to fill him up and help maintain his weight.
#9. Broccoli
This vitamin-rich vegetable can be a great occasional nutrition boost for dogs. However, the head of broccoli contains an ingredient called Isothiocyanate which can cause gastric irritation, therefore it shouldn't make up more than 5% of your dog's diet. The stems are probably the safest part for dogs since only the top flowery head contains that harmful chemical.
#10. Carrots
This popular vegetable is packed with vitamin A, C, D, E, K, B1 and B6. Raw carrots are low in calories and constitute a nice canine treat on occasion. Plus, crunching on carrots can be good for your dog's teeth. Cooked carrots can also be fed but don't be tempted to add spices, sugar or salt.
#11. Flax seed
Whole flax seeds are best if ground right before feeding as this type of fat can go rancid quickly. Flax seed can also be added to your dog’s diet as a source of fibre. Flax oil is a more concentrated form of omega- 3 fatty acids without the fibre. Make sure that you store the oil or seeds in the fridge in an air tight dark container.
#12. Apples
As long as you are feeding your dog a high quality dog food, they likely won't suffer from nutritional deficiencies and there is no need to supplement their diet with raw or cooked fruits like apples.
An occasional treat is ok but your dog could experience stomach discomfort, including diarrhea.
Apple seeds, however, contain cyanide so your dog should not be allowed to eat the core.
#13. Peanut Butter
Peanut butter also contains Omega fatty acids which promotes health and reduces bad cholesterol.
Several brands now offer sugar-free peanut butters which contain xylitol - an artificial sweetener extremely toxic to dogs - so please read the ingredients label to ensure it is not present.
Do you ever cook for your dog? What do you make? Share with us in the comments below.
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