Quick Answer
While dogs can eat some human foods, there are many table foods that are unsafe or unhealthy for them. It’s important to research which foods are dog-safe and which to avoid. Some human foods dogs can eat in moderation include lean meats, eggs, cheeses, peanut butter, carrots, and apples. Foods to avoid giving dogs include chocolate, grapes/raisins, onion/garlic, salt/sugar, bread dough, alcohol, avocado, and bones. Consult your vet if you have questions about your dog’s diet.
Can Dogs Eat Human Food?
Dogs are omnivores like humans, so they can eat a variety of foods, including some human foods. However, dogs have different nutritional requirements and digestive systems compared to humans, so not all people food is safe or healthy for them. Dogs’ diets should consist primarily of balanced commercial dog food to give them the right blend of nutrients. Human foods should only make up 10% or less of a dog’s diet. While small amounts of dog-safe table foods can be fed as occasional treats, dogs should not eat solely human foods long-term.
Benefits of Human Food for Dogs
– Additional protein source: Lean meats can give added protein.
– Healthy fats: Fish, nuts, and oils provide omega fatty acids.
– Fiber: Fruits, veggies, and whole grains add fiber.
– Vitamins/minerals: Fresh foods have more nutrients than processed dog foods.
– Hydration: Water-rich foods like cucumbers can supplement hydration.
– Mental stimulation: New flavors and textures provide mental enrichment.
– Bonding: Sharing food is a way to bond with your pet.
– Variety: Adding human foods gives diet variety.
Risks of Feeding Human Food to Dogs
– Nutritional imbalance: Dog food is formulated to give balanced nutrition, human food does not provide complete nutrition.
– Weight gain: People food tends to be higher in fat, calories and can lead to obesity.
– Gastrointestinal upset: Spoiled, spicy, fatty or acidic human foods may cause vomiting, diarrhea, gas, or abdominal pain.
– Toxicity: Onions, chocolate, xylitol, grapes/raisins and certain other human foods can be poisonous to dogs.
– Bones: Cooked bones can splinter and puncture the digestive tract.
– Allergies: Some ingredients like dairy, wheat, soy may cause allergic reactions in dogs.
– Dental disease: Sticky foods like candy can increase plaque and tartar buildup on teeth.
– Pancreatitis: Fatty foods may cause life-threatening pancreatitis in some dogs.
– Choking: Some foods like nuts, popcorn, grapes are choking hazards.
What Human Foods Can Dogs Eat?
Here are some safe human foods dogs can eat in moderation:
Lean Meats: Unseasoned, cooked chicken, turkey, beef, pork. Remove skin, bones and fat first.
Fish: Canned sardines, tuna, salmon, shrimp. Cooked fresh fish is fine, but avoid raw fish.
Eggs: Cooked egg whites or whole eggs without seasoning. Avoid raw eggs.
Cheese: Low-fat cheeses like cheddar, mozzarella, cottage cheese. Avoid soft cheeses.
Peanut Butter: 100% all-natural peanut butter without xylitol added. Avoid chocolate flavored or sugary brands.
Fruits: Bananas, blueberries, raspberries, apples, watermelon, strawberries. Avoid fruits with pits and citrus fruits.
Vegetables: Carrots, green beans, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cucumbers. Avoid onions, garlic, avocado.
Whole Grains: Oatmeal, brown rice, barley. Avoid bread and dough.
Yogurt: Plain low-fat Greek yogurt. Avoid sugary or chocolate yogurts.
Oils: Canola oil, olive oil, flaxseed oil. Avoid butter, creamy sauces.
Herbs/Spices: Small amounts of parsley, basil, oregano, cinnamon. Avoid salt, onion, garlic.
What Human Foods are Unsafe for Dogs?
Here are some unsafe human foods to never give dogs:
Chocolate: All types of chocolate contain the toxin theobromine, which is dangerous to dogs. Even small amounts can be deadly.
Grapes & Raisins: Can cause kidney failure and be fatal, even in small quantities. The exact toxicity is unknown.
Onions & Garlic: Contain compounds that damage red blood cells and cause anemia. Cooking does not remove the toxicity.
Xylitol: Artificial sweetener in candy, gum, baked goods that can cause low blood sugar and liver damage in dogs.
Alcohol: Can cause dangerous intoxication. Even small amounts have been linked to organ damage.
Caffeine: Found in coffee, tea, soda and chocolate. Can overstimulate the nervous system and heart.
Avocado: The compound persin can be toxic to dogs, causing vomiting and diarrhea. The leaves, pit and skin are the most dangerous.
Bones: Cooked bones become brittle and easily splinter. Can cause mouth cuts, intestinal blockages/ruptures. Raw bones may crack teeth.
Salt & Sugar: Eating too much salty foods can cause excessive thirst and sodium ion poisoning in dogs. Excessive sugar can lead to obesity, dental issues, and diabetes.
Dough: The raw yeast can expand in the stomach and potentially rupture intestines. This applies to bread dough, pizza dough, biscuit dough, etc.
Macadamia Nuts: Contain an unknown toxin that can affect the digestive and nervous system, causing weakness, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia.
How Much Human Food Can Dogs Eat?
As a general rule, human food should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s total daily calorie intake. For a 50 pound dog eating around 1000 calories per day, this equates to around 100 calories from people food, or about 1/4 to 1/2 cup total. Foods should be fed in small pieces over the day as treats, not all at once as a meal replacement. Avoid feeding fatty meats like bacon that are high in calories – lean proteins like chicken breast are lower calorie options. Exceeding 10% human food daily could lead to nutritional deficiencies or obesity over time. Always consult your vet if you have questions about your dog’s unique nutritional needs.
Tips for Feeding Dogs Human Food Safely
If you want to share tidbits of your food with your dog, follow these tips to do it safely:
– Consult your vet first, especially if your dog has health conditions.
– Only feed dog-safe foods. Avoid toxic foods like chocolate, onions, grapes.
– Introduce new foods slowly and one at a time. Watch for allergic reactions.
– Feed in small pieces – large amounts may cause stomach upset.
– Never feed cooked bones – they can splinter and cause damage.
– Don’t add extra salt, oil, butter, spices, sugar to foods.
– Avoid feeding from the table to prevent begging behavior. Feed treats separately.
– Don’t allow access to countertops or human food containers. This encourages stealing food.
– Check food packaging for unexpected ingredients like xylitol. Read labels carefully.
– Never replace dog’s meals with table scraps. Use human foods sparingly as treats only.
Signs Your Dog Ate Something Unsafe
If your dog eats a potentially toxic human food, watch for these symptoms:
– Vomiting
– Diarrhea
– Abdominal pain
– Lethargy
– Loss of appetite
– Increased thirst or urination
– Abnormal heartbeat
– Seizures
– Unsteadiness/weakness
– Coughing/choking
If you observe any concerning symptoms after your dog ate human food, call your vet or an emergency animal hospital immediately. Early treatment can help prevent serious complications or death from food poisoning. Depending on the substance ingested, the vet may induce vomiting, give oral decontaminants like activated charcoal, provide IV fluids for hydration, monitor vital signs, and provide other supportive medical care.
Our Top 10 Human Foods for Dogs
After analyzing the nutrition and risks of various human foods, here are our top 10 people foods you can safely feed your dog:
| Food | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Lean Chicken | High in protein, low fat |
| Carrots | Vitamin A for eyesight, fiber |
| Greek Yogurt | Probiotics for digestion, calcium for bones |
| Oatmeal | Fiber for regularity, manganese for metabolism |
| Canned Sardines | Omega-3 fatty acids for skin and coat |
| Sweet Potatoes | Beta carotene, vitamin A, fiber |
| Pumpkin | Vitamin A, fiber to relieve constipation |
| Peanut Butter | Healthy fat, protein, vitamin B |
| Eggs | Highly digestible protein, biotin for skin/coat |
| Apple Slices | Low calorie treat, fiber, vitamin A |
These people-friendly foods provide additional protein, vitamins, minerals, healthy fats and fiber. Since they are low in sugar and fat, they make healthy treats. We recommend giving pieces of these fruits/veggies for snacks, adding yogurt or pumpkin to their meals, and incorporating lean meat occasionally.
Our Bottom 5 Human Foods to Avoid for Dogs
Based on toxicity and digestion risks, here are the top 5 most dangerous human foods for dogs that should be avoided completely:
| Food | Dangers |
|---|---|
| Chocolate | Theobromine toxicity, can be fatal |
| Grapes & Raisins | Can cause sudden kidney failure |
| Onions | Oxidize dog’s red blood cells causing anemia |
| Xylitol | Low blood sugar, liver failure |
| Alcohol | Intoxication, coma, organ damage |
Never intentionally feed these top 5 toxic people foods to dogs in any amount, no matter how small. Be vigilant about keeping alcoholic beverages, chocolate baked goods, candy, grapes, raisins, onion dishes, and gum out of reach of your dog. If ingestion occurs, call your vet or animal ER immediately. Waiting to see if symptoms develop can be fatal with these substances.
Conclusion
In conclusion, not all human foods are safe for dogs. While some foods like lean meat, cheese, peanut butter and fruits can be fed to dogs in moderation as treats, there are many toxic and unhealthy table foods like chocolate, onions and grapes that should be completely avoided. Consult veterinary guidelines to learn which people foods your dog can and cannot eat. Feed a balanced commercial dog food as the staple diet and limit human foods to no more than 10% of total calories. Only feed dog-safe foods in small amounts. Avoid feeding from the table or allowing access to human food meant for people to prevent poisoning or obesity. With some precautions, occasional tidbits of human food can provide enjoyment, enrichment and health benefits for your dog! Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s nutritional needs.