How to treat your dog without upsetting their tummy
When it comes to treating out pups, we often slip a piece of our dinner under the table, or at the kitchen bench when we’re cooking.
We feel good about this, as we want our pups to enjoy a yummy treat every now and then.
But did you know that a lot of human foods are tough on the tummy for our furry friends?
Dog food daily, human food occasionally
Feeding our pups human food from time to time is fine, but the first thing to remember is that you should be feeding your pal dog food for regular breakfasts and dinners.
Whether this be dog biscuits or meat, dog foods are designed to suit your pups tummy and metabolism so stick with this on the regular, and only give your pup human foods occasionally.
So if you run out of dog food, or feel like treating your pup to something special, read on to find out what foods dogs can eat and which ones to stay away from.
Don’t give into the puppy dog eyes until you know what food dogs can eat
It’s Christmas day and everyones enjoying a roast meal, so you slip your pup something under the table – but are you sure it's safe?
Human foods that are toxic to your pups tummy
- Chocolate: A well-known toxic food to pups – chocolate has caffeine and theobromine stimulants that dogs cannot metabolize and can make them very ill.
- Onions: Think twice about dropping an onion on the kitchen floor for your pup, because they are toxic to dogs and can cause anemia.
- Raisins & grapes: Unusual but true – raisins and grapes are toxic to our furry pals too.
- Artificial sweeteners: Any sort of artificial substance is poisonous to dogs tummies.
- Macadamia nuts: Not only can macadamia nuts cause funny tummies for our furry friends, they can cause depression and change in behaviour.
- Avocados: A poisonous substance called ‘persin’ is in avocados that can cause respiratory problems in dogs.
- Coffee: Caffeine stimulants are dangerous for dogs as they can impact their nervous system.
- Alcohol: An obvious no-no, but still important to note – alcohol is seriously dangerous for dogs so if you spill a drink get to it quick before your pup tries to lick it up!
Pup-friendly human foods dogs can eat
- Peanut butter: Raw, unsalted peanut butter for dogs is a safe human treat for your pup as long as it has no artificial sweeteners.
- Cooked chicken: Just like us humans, as long as chicken is cooked well then it is a safe form of protein for your pup (in moderation).
- Carrots: A healthy snack for your pup – carrots are full of vitamins and are also good for dogs teeth.
- Salmon: Along with some other fish, salmon is safe for dogs and because of the omega 3 and other vitamins present in salmon helps pups have a healthy and shiny coat.
- Green beans: As a low calorie vegetable, green beans are the perfect treat to give your pup under the dinner table.
- Apples: They say apples help clean your teeth, and it works the same for our pups – chewing apples will also freshen up that smelly dog breath.
- Peanut butter: Raw, unsalted peanut butter for dogs is a safe human treat for your pup as long as it has no artificial sweeteners.
- Cooked chicken: Just like us humans, as long as chicken is cooked well then it is a safe form of protein for your pup (in moderation).
- Carrots: A healthy snack for your pup – carrots are full of vitamins and are also good for dogs teeth.
- Salmon: Along with some other fish, salmon is safe for dogs and because of the omega 3 and other vitamins present in salmon helps pups have a healthy and shiny coat.
- Green beans: As a low calorie vegetable, green beans are the perfect treat to give your pup under the dinner table.
- Apples: They say apples help clean your teeth, and it works the same for our pups – chewing apples will also freshen up that smelly dog breath.
Remember that every dog is different
Whether you have a jumpy labrador or a fluffy poodle, every dog is different and will therefore metabolise and react to foods differently.
So although the pup-friendly foods we listed are usually safe for dogs, you should still introduce them in moderation – start with a little and ensure your pup isn’t allergic.
Same goes for the toxic foods – if your pup steals some chocolate off the bench, or you drop something by accident and they lap it up then take your pet to the vet immediately to avoid a severe reaction.
So whether you choose some peanut butter for dogs, or a juicy apple off the tree – just remember to keep human food a treat and feed them in moderation.
If you’re looking for a safe treat for your pup, pop into Nose to Tail to pick some up! Or to learn more about our services, give us a call on 09 448 2227!
