The 11 Best and Healthiest Human Foods for Your Dog

Jul 17, 2017

Not all food is safe for dogs, but much of what we eat can be safely passed along to our furry friends. Human food can act as a good treat substitute if you're out of traditional dog treats and can also have some added health benefits! 

Natural Peanut Butter

Dogs LOVE peanut butter. Not only is it full of healthy fats, it also packs a protein punch and necessary vitamins like E and B, all of which are safe for dogs to eat. The only things to watch out for when you're sharing your peanut butter spoon or knife with your dog is that you're only giving them natural peanut butter. Cheap and processed peanut butter may contain an artificial sweetener called Xylitol, which can be deadly to animals.

Chicken

This one shouldn't come as a surprise! Many dog foods are already made with chicken and beef by-products. If you have some chicken with dinner, be sure to remove all of the bones inside the meat. Bones can break and splinter and cause intestinal issues for animals. Dogs love meat both cooked and uncooked, but some experts debate the safety of uncooked meat for animals.

Carrots

In addition to being high in vitamins and low in calories, carrots are great snacks for dogs. If your dog is overweight, carrots can help satisfy the urge to eat without loading up on calories. Carrots can also help clean your dog's teeth because of their rough surface.

Eggs

As long as you're not adding salt and pepper to them, eggs are a healthy snack for your dog. If you feed eggs to your dog, include the shell! Additional protein and biotin can be found in the shell and adds a nice crunch to the meal. Depending on where your eggs came from, dogs can eat them raw.

Green Beans

Just like carrots, green beans are low in calories and high in crunch. If your dog is overweight, replace some of their dinner with some raw green beans to fill them up without the additional calories.

Salmon

Salmon is packed with healthy oils and fats that can boost your dog's coat health. Always be sure to fully cook and remove all the bones from a piece of fish before sharing it with your dog.

Apples

Although the seeds are poisonous, dogs love the crunch of apples. Filled with plenty of vitamins, apples are healthy for your dog's skin and coat.

Pumpkin

The next time your dog is sick, try giving them some raw pumpkin. Full of fiber and vitamin A, many vets recommend adding pumpkin to your dog's diet to calm upset stomachs.

Yogurt

Yogurt is great for humans and dogs alike because of its high protein, probiotic, and calcium content. If you're going to share yogurt with your dog, just make sure it isn't full of sugar.

Oatmeal

If your dog is having irregular bowel movements, the fiber in cooked oatmeal can help ease their pain. Don't put any sugar or sweeteners in the bowl!

Cheese

Finally, try and pass some small pieces of cheese to your dog the next time you're making a snack. Most of a dog's taste comes from their sense of smell and cheese smells great! You can also try adding some cottage cheese to their regular meals for a burst of protein. Always check with your vet before feeding your dog table scraps. Some dogs may be lactose intolerant or sensitive to certain foods.

Your dog is definitely going to appreciate any treats like these, especially if they actually do them good! Click SHARE to let your friends and family know too :)