As a dog owner, I always want what’s best for my dog. Sometimes, what’s best for my dog is a nice, homecooked meal instead of store-bought dry food.
Today we’re talking about just that, human food that is safe for your furry little friends and believe me, there are lots of food that you can give to your dog that is even better than store-bought.
Human foods that your dog can eat are
- Chicken
- White rice
- Blueberries
- Fish
- Dairy products
- Peanut butter
- Sweet potatoes
- Apples
- Coconut oil
- Greek Yogurt
- Pumpkin
- Unsalted popcorn
- Eggs
To find out more about how to pack your dog’s dinner with yummy proteins and nutrients then keep on reading our article.
13 Human Food That Your Dog Will Love
Chicken
Chicken is most probably one of the best human food with an excellent source of protein that you can feed your dog and I promise, they will love it. Of course, you need to actually cook the chicken before giving it to your dog.
Raw chicken can cause Salmonella poisoning, poisoning from bacteria, and many other illnesses that may turn very serious in a matter of minutes. If by any chance you served your dog uncooked, or undercooked chicken and now they have Salmonella poisoning quickly try to rehydrate them and give them electrolytes.If you see that your dog isn’t getting better, or is getting worse, immediately head to your vet’s.(Source)
I start by boiling some rice and add in the chicken minutes before the rice is done. I also add in some carrots, peas, and a little bit of chopped cilantro on top.
You can also make a healthy bone broth from chicken bones, potatoes, and some carrots. It’s one of the healthiest foods that you can give to your dog.
White Rice
White rice is a great people’s food, especially for your dog’s upset stomach. You can either give your dog plain white rice or you can mix it up and prepare your dog a whole meal with some meat and veggies. Be careful with the portions of rice as it can cause diarrhea if given too much.
Blueberries
Blueberries are a great source of vitamins and minerals that can be added to your dog’s diet. You can put blueberries in your dog’s meal or give it to them like a tasty treat or snack.
My dog hates fruits and veggies so I always try to hide them in her meals. Blueberries go amazing in your dog’s homemade turkey or chicken meal.
Fish
Adding fish to your dog’s diet is a game-changer. Instead of buying all those Omega-3 supplements for your pet, you just give them a piece of cooked salmon in their meal.
Fish, especially salmon and sardines are packed with Omega-3 fatty acids which have anti-inflammatory properties and other health benefits.
Dairy Products
Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt are mainly safe pet foods as long as they are given in moderate doses. If given in big doses, the lactose in milk can cause your dog to have some stomach issues like vomiting and diarrhea.
Still, a small dose of cottage cheese, some plain yogurt, or slurps of goat’s milk can be a fantastic treat that your dog will love. Be very careful about any food intolerances that your dog might have. Dog’s can be lactose intolerant as well
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is a well-known, famous treat that dogs love. It’s a great sugar substitute in your dog’s diet. It’s rich in healthy fats that are good for heart health as well as lots of protein.
A thing to be careful about is to always choose unsalted peanut butter for your dog. Salt isn’t good for humans nor dogs if consumed in big doses. It can cause liver failure as well as kidney failure.
Sweet Potatoes
My dog goes nuts when she sees me peeling a sweet potato and she’s absolutely right to. Sweet potatoes are amazing for your dog’s digestive health and eye health because they’re rich in vitamin A. You can mash the sweet potatoes and pair them with their meal, or give it to them as a healthy snack. The choice is yours.
Apples
Apples are also a crunchy, fantastic treat that you can give to your dog at any time of the day. Simply just wash an apple, get rid of the apple seeds, and either let your dog eat it as a snack or incorporate it in their meals. My dog especially loves green apples because they’re sourer.
Apples are a great source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Also, they are high in fiber, which can improve your dog’s digestive health.(Source)
Coconut Oil
You can absolutely put coconut oil in your dog’s meal if they like how it tastes. I love making easy and tasty treats that my dog just adores. The recipe is very, very easy.
Simply just melt some coconut oil, take some blueberries, and put them in an ice cube mold. Freeze the treats for about an hour and give one to your dog every time it’s treat time. Coconut oil is also amazing for your dog’s skin and fur.
Pumpkin
Pumpkin is a superfood and a great treat for dogs. It’s an excellent source of fiber and can easily fix your dog’s upset stomach. Bake the pumpkin like you would normally(do NOT add sugar), let it cool, and mash it up. Give this treat to your dog in moderate doses as it’s not a full meal. You can also use canned pumpkin puree.
Unsalted Popcorn
Don’t we all consider popcorn our favorite food for watching movies at home? Well, so do our dogs, and it is completely safe to share your popcorn with your dog on a movie night. Popcorn is an actual human snack that can be consumed by dogs.
Of course, that is as long as it’s unsalted. Salty foods are a big no-no in every pet’s diet so this goes for popcorn as well. Next time you prepare your popcorn, save some for your furry little friend and enjoy your treats together.
Eggs
If you’ve run out of your dog’s regular food for breakfast, or you just want to add a little extra protein to their meal, there is something easy that you can cook up. And I mean really easy. Take a couple of eggs and make scrambled eggs for your dog’s breakfast.
[Related Article: Dog Food Vs Cat Food What Are The Major Differences?]
Conclusion
Dogs are our best friends and a part of our family. Just like we take care of ourselves and those closest to us, we have to take care of our pets as well. And what better way to show your dog that you love them than through their stomach?
Instead of using canned, store-bought food, choose a healthy alternative and cook for your dog every once in a while.
There are so many human foods that dogs will love and be grateful for. Some of those foods are coconut oil, blueberries, chicken, rice, unsalted popcorn, pumpkin(either canned or regular), sweet potatoes, raw bones, apples, cheese, milk, yogurt, and others…
