Dogs love human food and, in moderation, it can be beneficial. However, it’s important to remember that dogs have very different digestive systems from people and certain foods could potentially be toxic or even hazardous for them.
Sticking to lean meats without skin or bones, vegetables, and fresh fruits is the optimal approach.
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Lean Meats
Dog owners may wish to supplement their dogs’ diets with healthier items like bananas, apples, eggs and lean meats; these foods should not exceed 10% of caloric intake and must be cooked correctly to kill bacteria and decrease illness risk.
Lean meats such as chicken, turkey and beef provide protein, vitamins and minerals for dogs’ nutrition as well as variety to their meals and treats. Just be sure to remove bones, fat and skin which could potentially cause digestive upset in some dogs.
Fish and shellfish provide excellent sources of protein, but can contain mercury and other toxins that could harm their health. An easier option would be dried turkey neck found easily at most larger pet stores – an easy and delicious way to help underweight dogs consume more calories!
Vegetables
Vegetables make an excellent addition to the diets of dogs because they provide high-fiber, low-calorie sources of minerals and vitamins. Most vegetables are safe for dogs to eat including kale, spinach, carrots, green beans, sweet potatoes and celery – though most should be cooked first as raw produce could contain bacteria that cause illness or food poisoning.
Apples, bananas, watermelons and oranges are among the many fruits considered healthy treats for dogs. Some fruits can be toxic for them such as raisins and macadamia nuts – be wary when feeding these to your pet in moderation! Avoid giving any fruits with seeds or peels due to potential choking hazards or chemical toxicity risks; also dairy products can lead to digestive problems in some dogs as they contain lactose intolerance causing lactose intolerance issues if consumed excessively!
Fruit
Fruit can provide your pet with essential vitamins and antioxidants. Furthermore, adding fresh fruit to their diet may even aid digestion if they suffer from digestive issues.
Blueberries, bananas, carrots and cranberries are some of the many healthy fruits your pup can eat; just be wary when giving citrus fruits such as oranges or lemons since these could potentially harm them.
Apples, berries and peaches are also safe for dogs as they contain vitamins A, C and antioxidants that may reduce allergies while aiding digestion. Be careful with stone fruit (cherries, peaches and plums) which contain pits as these could pose choking hazards or even cause bowel obstructions in your pup.
Vegetables can often be safely eaten by dogs as treats if cooked before feeding them raw – however, be wary of raw vegetables which may contain pesticides and bacteria which could harm them.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is another safe human food for dogs that can add nutrition to their diets, providing a boost. But be careful when feeding your dog the fruity or maple-flavored oatmeal available at grocery stores as this could contain added sugars that could harm them as well as artificial sweeteners like xylitol. Instead, opt for plain oatmeal made with rolled oats that is free from additives and contains magnesium to aid with digestive health and vitamin B to increase energy levels.
Green beans are another nutritionally-diverse veggie to add to your dog’s menu, offering fiber, vitamin C and potassium benefits. Just remember to cook these before feeding them to your pet as raw veggies can lead to choking hazards. Fish is another potentially healthy addition; provided it comes from lower on the food chain like salmon or ocean whitefish (but always consult your vet first!).
