When you enjoy your dog with all your heart, you’re more than happy to share your home, your car, your sofa, perhaps even your bed with your canine buddy. Chances are, you’ve likewise thought of sharing your preferred foods with your puppy — however you might have questioned if it was safe to do so. One food that shows up time and time once again? Blueberries. Indeed, Google ‘Can dogs consume blueberries?’ and you’ll get more than 13 million outcomes.
But when we asked vets about the safety of blueberries, they all concurred: Blueberries — and other berries like strawberries and raspberries — are completely safe for dogs to consume. The just prospective issue is the sugar consumption, as fruit consists of a great deal of sugar. For that factor, Carol Osborne, D.V.M.an integrative vet in Chagrin Falls, Ohio and creator of the Chagrin Falls Pet Clinicrecommends versus overdoing it by offering your dog more than a couple of blueberries at a time. And if you’re stressed over choking, you can cut the fruit in half, a technique that likewise makes the sweet snack last a bit longer.
While blueberries are completely safe for dogs to consume, other foods are not, and some are downright harmful for pooches. In reality, foods intended for human consumption were the second most common cause of suspected poisoning events among dogs (after human medications), according to a research study in a 2020 concern of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Read on to discover which individuals foods are safe and which might threaten your cherished puppy’s health.
Dairy items
It’s safe for dogs to have percentages of milk, cheese, and plain yogurt. But remember: “Some dogs become lactose-intolerant as they get older,” says Dr. Osborne. “Although a little milk is okay, a lot will cause diarrhea in a significant number of pets.”
To prevent offering your pup an upset stomachdecrease his consumption. Still, a teaspoon of plain yogurt makes a fantastic treat for dogs; the exact same holds true of percentages of cheese. Dogs can likewise consume eggs, which are abundant in protein and simple to absorb, as long as they’re completely prepared. A couple of eggs weekly is great for dogs, Dr. Osborne says.
Dairy cautions: The American Kennel Club (AKC) advises against giving dogs ice cream because it contains too much sugar.
Fish
Many dogs enjoy fish — and it’s a healthy, healthy option for them, as long as it’s prepared and cooled and the bones are gotten rid of. It’s finest to limit your dog’s fish intake to a maximum of twice per weekaccording to the AKC.
Grains
Quinoa, rice and pasta are completely safe for dogs, once again in small amounts, Dr. Osborne says.
Fruits
Apples, bananas, peaches, pears, pineapple and portions of melon (without the skin) are usually safe for pups in small amounts; make sure to serve fruit in bite-size pieces. “Always remove any seeds, stems, cores and peels before feeding these to your pet,” recommends Cristine Hayes, D.V.M., medical director of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
Contrary to common belief, tomatoes are alright for dogs to consume in small amounts, Dr. Osborne says; it’s the green part of the tomato plant that’s harmful to dogs.
Forbidden fruits for pups: Cherries, grapes and raisins are all harmful to dogs, Dr. Osborne says. Keep them far from your puppy.
Meat and poultry
“Small amounts of lean cooked chicken, turkey, beef or pork that are free of bones and seasoning are safe to feed [your dog],” says Dr. Hayes. Be sure to get rid of the skin and noticeable fat from prepared chicken or turkey prior to offering it to your dog. Remember, too: “If your dog has liver or kidney disease, the nitrogen content of meat can be rough,” Dr. Osborne says. In that case, fish or poultry might be a much better option.
A meat error to prevent: “Don’t feed your dog lunch meat,” Dr. Osborne says. “It’s too full of salt.” Salt isn’t healthy for dogs, and it can result in water retention if dogs have heart or kidney issues, Dr. Osborne says.
Nuts
Dogs can consume percentages of cashews and peanuts (implying a couple of at a time) as long as the nuts are saltless. And numerous dogs enjoy peanut butter, which can be an unique treat or an excellent way to conceal medication. Just make sure the peanut butter does not consist of the sweetener xylitol, which can be toxic to dogs.
Nuts on the no-no list: Macadamia nuts are harmful to dogs; they can trigger throwing up and other kinds of intestinal distress, muscle weak point and sleepiness, Dr. Osborne cautions. Don’t feed your dog almonds, either, since they can obstruct the esophagus or tear the windpipe if they’re not chewed completely. (Many dogs don’t chew their food completely enough.)
Vegetables
Most prepared veggies — broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrots, cauliflower, green beans, peas, spinach and sweet potato — are safe for dogs to consume. And they’re filled with minerals and vitamins. Fresh or frozen is the very best method to go since canned veggies are typically filled with salt. Raw cucumber pieces are likewise great for dogs, Dr. Hayes says.
Veggies on the no-fly list: Onions, garlic, leeks and chives are harmful to dogs. It doesn’t matter if they’re prepared or raw; keep your pooch far from them.
Other foods to avoid your dog
You most likely understand that chocolate is hazardous to dogs — precisely how ill a dog will receive from consuming it depends upon the quantity the dog has actually consumed and the dog’s weight. The factor it’s so bad for dogs: “Chocolate, coffee and tea all contain substances called methylxanthineswhich are found in cacao beans, coffee beans, tea leaves and in the nuts of an extract used in some sodas,” Dr. Hayes says. “When ingested by pets, methylxanthines can cause vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death in severe cases.” Yikes! If your dog does mistakenly consume chocolate, here’s what you should do.
Spices you ought to never ever feed your dog consist of nutmeg and cinnamon.
Finally, take additional care to keep liquors and foods which contain alcohol out of reach of your cherished dog. These “can cause vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, abnormal blood acidity, coma and even death in dogs,” says Dr. Hayes. “Under no circumstances should your pet be given any alcohol.”
Looking for more recommendations about feeding dogs? Check out these posts:
4 Foods That Will Help Settle Your Dog’s Upset Stomach
8 Delicious Dog Treats You Can Make for Your Pooch This Summer
Stacey Colino is an acclaimed science author and coauthor of the upcoming book The Purest Bond: Understanding the Human-Canine Connection.
