Healthy Human Food for Your Dog

You want to give your furry friend the best possible diet. You may have heard that some human foods are good for dogs, while others are bad or even toxic. But how do you know which ones are safe and which ones are harmful? And what are the benefits and drawbacks of feeding your dog healthy human food?

 

In this blog post, we will explore some of the pros and cons of feeding your dog human food, as well as some of the best and worst options. We will also discuss the dangers of kibble, a common type of dry dog food that many owners rely on. By the end of this post, you will have a better idea of how to feed your dog a nutritious and balanced diet that suits their needs and preferences.

I’ll also share my own recipe I developed with my vet for my senior cocker spaniel, Riley. 

The Benefits of a Healthy Human Food Diet for Your Dog

There are many reasons why you might want to feed your dog healthy human food. Some of the benefits include:

• Variety: Feeding your dog different types of human food can provide them with a variety of flavors, textures, and nutrients. This can make their meals more enjoyable and satisfying, as well as prevent boredom and pickiness.
• Quality: Feeding your dog high-quality human food can ensure that they get the best possible ingredients, without any harmful additives, fillers, or by-products. This can improve their overall health and well-being, as well as reduce the risk of allergies, digestive issues, and chronic diseases.
• Control: Feeding your dog human food can give you more control over what they eat and how much they eat. You can tailor their diet to their specific needs, such as their age, weight, activity level, and health conditions. You can also monitor their intake and adjust it accordingly, to prevent overfeeding or underfeeding.

Drawbacks of Human Food for Dogs

While feeding your dog healthy human food can have many advantages, it can also have some disadvantages. Some of the drawbacks include:

• Cost: Feeding your dog high-quality human food can be more expensive than feeding them commercial dog food. You may have to spend more money on buying fresh, organic, or premium ingredients, as well as supplements or additives to ensure a balanced diet.
• Time: Feeding your dog human food can be more time-consuming than feeding them kibble or canned food. You may have to spend more time on preparing, cooking, or storing their meals, as well as cleaning up after them. You may also have to do more research on what foods are safe and suitable for your dog, and what foods to avoid.
• Safety: Feeding your dog human food can pose some risks if you are not careful. You may accidentally feed them something that is toxic or harmful for them, such as chocolate, grapes, onions, garlic, or xylitol. You may also feed them something that is too spicy, salty, fatty, or sugary, which can cause stomach upset, diarrhea, vomiting, or pancreatitis. You may also feed them something that is too hard, sharp, or large, which can cause choking, dental problems, or intestinal blockage.

Best Human Foods for Dogs

There are many human foods that are safe and healthy for dogs, as long as they are fed in moderation and as part of a balanced diet. My recipe for Riley is a base of brown rice, sweet potato and frozen peas. I make it in advance.

Then I add a variety of things before feeding such as wild salmon, a scrambled or hardboiled egg, olive oil, apples or blueberries, halved, diced celery or grated carrots.

Some of the best human foods for dogs include:

• Wild Salmon – cooked without butter or oil.
• Eggs – cooked. Not raw.
• Fruits – Riley loves bananas, watermelon, apples and blueberries.
• Vegetables – grated carrots, tiny pieces of celery, peas, 
• Starchy vegetables – sweet potato is a staple. Russets only occasionally.
• Brown rice – another staple. I use a small rice cooker. Stove top cooking is way too time consuming.

Dangerous Human Foods for Dogs

There are many human foods that are dangerous or deadly for dogs and should never be fed to them under any circumstances. Some of the worst human foods for dogs include:

• Chocolate
• Grapes and raisins
• Onions and garlic
• Xylitol
• Macadamia nuts

Dangers of Kibble

Kibble is a type of dry dog food that is often seen as a convenient and affordable option for dog owners. However, kibble can also have many disadvantages and dangers for your dog’s health. 

• Lack of moisture: Kibble is very dry and contains very little moisture, which can make it hard for your dog to digest and absorb. This can lead to dehydration, constipation, urinary tract infections, or kidney stones. Kibble can also cause dental problems, such as plaque, tartar, or gum disease, as it does not help clean your dog’s teeth or stimulate their saliva production.
• High carbohydrates: Kibble is usually high in carbohydrates, which are not a natural part of a dog’s diet.
• Virtually no real nutrition.

 

 

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That’s it for today. Thank you for stopping by!

Shiree’

Want to learn about Mindfulness? Check out my interview with mindfulness and meditation educator Marsha Gehl!