A lot of people would believe that dogs can just eat anything, and although I used to believe the same, as I grew older and became more attached to the internet, I started to understand that dogs are much more fragile than I used to think.
However, for most owners out there, this is not a very complicated problem, just because they tend to rely on dry and wet food, which is specially made for dogs. There are, though, people who feed their dogs with the food they eat, and although that’s absolutely fine, you should be careful about the things you give your dog.
For that reason, in this article, we will cover some of the foods we eat that dogs can (and cannot) eat. Take in mind that a proper diet of your dog, the amount of food it should eat, and how you should distribute the meals during the day is another topic, so if you want to create a dietary plan for your pet, make sure to do some research and consider aspects like its breed, size, and age when you do it.
Human Food for Dogs
There are way too many foods we eat that dogs can also enjoy. However, we will cover the most common foods we consume that dogs can also eat. Just take note that some of these choices are good in moderation and can be harmful to them if you feed them to them in large amounts.
- Fish, shrimp (and other crustaceans), red meat, and chicken: Although dogs can enjoy these delicacies, it is not recommended to give them to your dog while raw, just because they might contain bacteria or parasites that could harm them. This is especially true when we talk about fish and sea crustaceans like shrimp. Shrimps are well known for being dangerous when uncooked, as showcased at pethempcompany, so you have to make sure they are properly cooked before feeding them to a dog. Meats are very good sources of protein, which aids them when it comes to burning fat and building muscles. Fish is known for providing omega-3 fatty acids, which is a very good addition to any diet since it improves defenses and for dogs, helps them grow
more beautiful fur.
- White rice: This choice is especially healthy for dogs since it can help them relieve an upset stomach since it is fairly easy to digest. However, this is one of those options that can be harmful if they eat too much of it, so make sure to limit the amount of rice they eat. Preferably, a meal should only contain ¼ of rice in contrast with the total amount of food. Just so you know, cooked chicken is also good for dogs with stomach problems because it is very easy to digest.
- Bananas, apples, and watermelons: Dogs can eat various fruits, but some of them can be harmful. The best choices, more specifically speaking, are bananas, apples, and watermelons. Just make sure they are not eating rotten fruits! Bananas should be eaten in moderation because of their high level of sugar, though. Bananas, apples, and watermelons, however, provide necessary vitamins which can improve a dog’s health. Just make sure to remove the seeds from apples and watermelons before giving them to your dog!
Harmful Human Foods for Dogs
We know for sure that there is specific food that we can eat, but dogs cannot. The reason is simple: they can greatly affect their health and even be fatal in some situations. That is why you should always take care of what you are giving to your dog. Some good examples of harmful foods for dogs include:
- Chocolate: One of the most toxic and dangerous options on the list. It can cause chocolate poisoning, which is a very dangerous type of intoxication that can cause seizures, vomiting, and even death. If you believe your dog has eaten chocolate, acting accordingly and fast can make a huge difference, so make sure to know how to react when your dog eats chocolate to avoid any fatal situation.
- Salt: I used to be one of those pet owners who put salt in their dog’s food because I believed they also deserved to eat something tasty. However, I didn’t know at the time that salt is actually harmful to them. Although they can enjoy salt in their foods from time to time, eating too many salty meals can cause things like vomiting, diarrhea, and tremors. It can also cause excessive thirst and affect their kidney and urination.
- Onion and garlic: Simply put, they are toxic to dogs because of a group of substances known organosulfides, and can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain.
- Raising, grapes, and citric fruits: Believe it or not, raisins and grapes, and other similar fruits can be fatal to dogs just because they can interrupt the way their kidneys work, thus causing kidney failure. This, of course, can be fatal if treated without care.On the other hand, citric fruits like lemons and oranges can be eaten by dogs in small amounts, but too much can upset a dog’s stomach and, on some occasions, even cause depression.
