We all know the look… those big puppy dog eyes when you’re eating something tasty 👀🐾. It’s tempting to share, but not all human food is safe for dogs. Some can actually be harmful – even deadly.
Here’s a simple guide to the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to feeding your pup human food. I may pop some links in for suitable alternatives, these may be affiliate links which means that I may earn a small commission if you purchase something at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products that I believe in and think are worthwhile.
While I type this we are smelling the aftermath of a little cheese treat that was given last night that won’t be repeated any time soon, that was the inspiration for this article! Guilty party below…
✅ The Good: Dog-Friendly Treats
Some human foods are safe, and even healthy, for dogs in moderation:
- Apples (no seeds) 🍏 → A crunchy source of fibre and vitamins.
- Carrots 🥕 → Great for teeth and low-calorie snacking. These are a particular favourite of Charlie and Joey!
- Blueberries 🫐 → Full of antioxidants.
- Plain cooked chicken or turkey 🍗 → Lean protein boost.
- Pumpkin 🎃 → Helps with digestion. I don’t know about you but this isn’t something I buy at all really (except for Halloween!) so if your pup loves it then an easy way is to give them this kind of thing.
- Peanut butter (xylitol-free!) 🥜 → Dogs love it, and it’s full of protein. Just make sure that it’s one that’s suitable for dogs like these.
👉 Tip: Always introduce new foods slowly and in small amounts.
⚠️ The Bad: Foods to Limit
Some foods won’t poison your dog outright but can cause tummy upset or issues if given too often:
- Cheese & dairy 🧀 → Many dogs are lactose intolerant. Maybe keep a peg handy (for your nose)!
- Bread & pasta 🍞 → Fills them up without nutrition.
- Fatty meats 🥩 → Risk of pancreatitis. I much prefer to give them natural treats as I talk about in this article.
- Eggs (raw) 🥚 → Small salmonella risk, but cooked is usually fine.
❌ The Ugly: Dangerous & Toxic Foods
These foods should never be given to dogs:
- Chocolate 🍫 → Contains theobromine, toxic to dogs. You can get doggy safe chocolate which goes down very well as a nice safe alternative!
- Grapes & raisins 🍇 → Can cause kidney failure. They can still have dog safe fruity treats like these.
- Onions & garlic 🧄 → Damage red blood cells.
- Avocado 🥑 → Contains persin, harmful in larger amounts.
- Xylitol (sweetener) 🚫 → Extremely toxic, even in tiny amounts.
- Alcohol & caffeine 🍷☕ → Dangerous for their heart and nervous system.
👉 If your dog eats any of these, call a vet immediately. One thing I’ll say though is try not to beat yourself up too much if this happens (a lot easier said than done, I know). Mistakes and accidents happen, we’re only human, just make sure to do everything you can to minimise the risk if it does happen.
🌟 Final Thoughts
Sharing food is part of bonding and I know that those sad pleading eyes can be hard to resist, but when it comes to dogs, it’s best to know what’s safe first. Stick with the healthy options (like apples and carrots), go easy on the “bad” foods, and steer clear of the dangerous stuff. That way, you’ll keep your pup happy, healthy, and begging for the right reasons 🐾💛.
If you really want to treat them then there are whole cookbooks with doggy safe treat recipes. I’ll be honest, I don’t bake for the family let alone the dogs so shop bought is my go to together with regular bits of carrot and the natural treats that they love! Happy munching.
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