Are Dogs Able to Eat Foods That Humans Enjoy in Moline, IL?

If you’re a dog owner, you’ve probably found yourself wondering whether or not you can share your favorite foods with your canine companion. Many dog owners enjoy giving their pets small bites of their own food, but this can be a potentially dangerous habit, too.

In the article below, we’ll help you discover some of the most common human foods that are perfectly safe for dogs to eat in Moline, IL. With this information, you can figure out which of your meals you want to share with your pet and which ones you should skip, too.

dog food moline ilWhich Human Foods are Safe for Dogs?

Peanut Butter

Peanut butter is one of the most common snacks given to dogs by their owners. If your dog enjoys some peanut butter now and then, there’s nothing wrong with this, and you can continue giving him his favorite sweet treat.

Peanut butter is a heart-healthy food for dogs just like it is for humans. However, you should always double-check the list of ingredients to make sure the peanut butter you’re using doesn’t contain any Xylitol. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that is potentially fatal to dogs. It’s not often found in peanut butter, but it can be.

Cheese

Dogs who are not lactose intolerant can safely eat cheese, and it’s a healthy snack for them when given in moderation. Cheese is full of calcium, which dogs need just like humans do. You can help your dog build strong bones by substituting a few treats a week for some cheese.

Just make sure you don’t overfeed your dog cheese, as he may get an upset stomach from eating it. Some dogs may be only slightly lactose intolerant, and some may not be able to handle cheese well at all.

Eggs

Eggs are safe, healthy, and recommended as snacks for dogs. If you want to give your dog a good source of protein as well as other healthy nutrients he needs in his diet, giving him eggs for a snack is an excellent way to go about this.

If you choose to feed your dog eggs, be sure to give him plain cooked eggs that have not been fried in oil or seasoned with any salt, pepper, or other seasonings. You can fry an egg in a little water or boil eggs for your pet—either way, he’s sure to enjoy them!

Fish

Fish is another healthy source of protein you can share with your dog. Fish should be cooked properly before feeding it to your pet, as giving your dog raw fish could potentially cause intestinal parasites or other issues. When cooked and served the right way, however, there’s no reason not to share fish with your dog.

You should not season the fish you give your dog with anything. You should also not add any butter or other fats or oils to the fish before cooking. Bake it in the oven as-is or steam it in a skillet before giving it to your pet.

Poultry

Yet another excellent healthy protein source for dogs is poultry. Chicken and turkey can both be good choices for sharing with your pet, as long as they haven’t been cooked in oils or fats and haven’t been seasoned. Keep in mind, too, that both onions and garlic are toxic and potentially fatal to dogs, so you should never feed your dog poultry seasoned with either of these ingredients.

Some dogs may have a chicken allergy, which is surprisingly common. Most of the time, dogs with chicken allergies will not also have turkey allergies, so you can feed turkey instead.

Yogurt

Finally, try giving your dog some yogurt for gut health and for a tasty treat, too. Dogs usually love the taste of plain nonfat yogurt, which is the best option for them. Yogurt can help with digestion and soothe an upset stomach in dogs who are not lactose intolerant.

If your dog is not able to consume dairy without having diarrhea or getting sick, however, you should stay away from yogurt. Additionally, avoid flavored yogurts and always check for added artificial sweeteners, which may be very toxic and dangerous to your pet. Only feed plain, nonfat yogurt to your dog.

Unsure If Your Dog Can Partake in Human Food? Give Our Animal Hospital in Moline, IL, a Shout

Our veterinarians in Moline, IL, can discuss what foods listed above your dog should not indulge in with an exam and testing. No appointment is necessary, and we can be reached by calling (309) 524-5696