This app tells you what human foods canines can and can't eat.
When it comes to feeding our dogs human food, some typical questions arise: What kind of human foods can dogs eat? What foods are dangerous for dogs? What fruits and veggies can dogs eat?
There are also more specific questions, such as can my dog eat rice? Can my dog eat cereal? Or chips?
These all are typical questions that come up almost every time we’re about to share some leftovers with our dogs.
I’m sure you’ve found yourself in a situation where your dog was watching you impatiently when you were eating, desperately wanting to have a bit of your food.
Who dares to prevent our beloved dog from tasting that ice cream? Or eating that rice?
Even if your dog goes crazy, they don’t really know if that food is good for them or not. You’re in charge.
The best way you can take care of your dog is by being responsible to first check what human foods dogs can eat. This app is here to help you decide what foods dogs can and can’t eat. Below, we collected the most frequently asked questions and answered them.
Please note, this app and all the written content is NOT medical advice. Many things depend on your dog’s health condition, so make sure to consult with your vet first.
Even if a food is allowed for dogs, only give it to them in a limited amount and as an occasional treat rather than a regular part of their diet. Never replace dog food entirely with human food.
Call your vet or the pet poision helpline:
The database of the app is updated based on the foods users submit and by proactively adding new ones following the latest research.
In this database, foods are organized into the following categories:
1️⃣ Harmful foods: foods your dog shouldn’t eat.
2️⃣ Limited foods: foods your dog can eat but in a limited amount or after a certain preparation.
3️⃣ Allowed foods: foods your dog can eat without many restrictions.
Please note, in most cases, it all comes down to quantity. Even if your dog eats a bit of chocolate (which is not healthy for dogs), he will probably be alright, but you need to avoid giving your dog these kinds of foods.
In the following, we answer in more detail the most frequently asked questions about what foods your dog can and can’t eat.
Fruits contain more sugar than vegetables, so even the allowed fruits should be consumed in limited amounts, especially for overweight and diabetic dogs.
Most of the fruits aren’t harmful to your dog, but you need to prepare them to make them safe for your dog:
➡️ Take out the pit/seeds since they contain cyanide, which is dangerous for dogs when consumed in large quantities.
➡️ Peel the fruit (for example, orange, watermelon, pineapple).
An incomplete list of fruits your dog can eat after some preparation:
Apple: remove seeds since they contain cyanide.
Apricot: keep your dog from eating the pit.
Cantaloupe: make sure to peel it before you give some to your dog.
Mango: remove the pit since it contains cyanide.
Orange: remove the seeds and peel the skin off.
Pear: remove the seed before feeding it to your dog.
Pineapple: the spikey skin and hard core should be removed.
Raspberries: only give this to you dog in moderate amounts.
Coconut: with caution, in moderate amounts.
Plum: make sure to remove the pit.
Nectarine: remove seeds.
Cherry: small seeds contain cyanide; seedles cherries are safe.
Papaya: take out the seeds.
Pumpkin: avoid pumpkin pie filling. Remove seeds.
Veggies are not only filled with vitamins and minerals, but the non-starchy ones are also low in calories and fat, providing fiber that fosters healthy digestion. Even if a selected veggie is safe for your dog, please give them limited quantities.
Limiting the amount is especially important if you are giving your dog any kind of safe vegetables for the first time. Make sure to give them just a small piece and observe any reaction before providing a larger amount.
An incomplete list of veggies your dog can eat after some preparation:
Broccoli: boil it so it’s easier to digest.
Cauliflower: boil it so it’s easier to digest.
Cabbage: boil it so it’s easier to digest.
Green Beans: all forms of green beans are safe for your dog, but cooked is easier to digest.
Spinach: avoid giving large amounts if your dog has a kidney disease.
Potatoes: better cooked; avoid mashed potatoes because they often contain milk and butter.
Tomato: steam; the leaves contain solanine, which is harmful to dogs in large quantities. Ripe tomatoes are safe but avoid giving them green tomatoes and the green parts.
For determining if other vegetables are good for your dog, please use the app above.
Here is a list of foods that are dangerous for dogs for various reasons:
Lemon: dogs don’t like its taste. Also, psoralen compounds and aromatic oils in lemons are toxic to dogs and can cause an upset stomach.
Lime: dogs don’t like its taste, and it can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Grapefruit: unhealthy for dogs because of the essential oils and psoralens this fruit contains.
Grapes and raisins: even small amounts can prove to be fatally toxic for a dog, causing kidney failure.
Dangerous vegetables for dogs:
Onion: whether it’s raw, cooked, or in powdered form, it can make your dog ill. Onions are toxic to dogs because they contain thiosulfate.
Garlic: extremely toxic to dogs, and consuming even a small amount can lead to severe poisoning.
Rhubarb: leaves can be poisonous.
Wild mushroom: most of the mushrooms aren’t toxic to dogs, but some are extremely toxic.
Leeks: toxic for dogs and can cause oxidative damage to the red blood cells.
Jalapeno: not poisonous to dogs but bad for them because of the spicy taste.
Scallions/green onion/spring onion: poisonous for dogs.
Chilli: not toxic but contains capsaicin that acts as an irritant to dogs.
Other dangerous human foods for dogs:
Macadamia nut: macadamia nuts, raw or roasted, can make your dog ill.
Nutmeg: toxic to dogs due to a compound in the nutmeg called myristicin.
Yeast dough: unbaked dough can be poisonous.
Ice cream: Ice cream is made with milk, so feeding your dog with it could lead to bloating, diarrhea, or vomiting. Also, the high sugar content is unhealthy for them.
Nutella: not recommended due to the high sugar content.
Sugar: well, because it’s sugar.
Jelly and Jam: these are very high in sugar and often contain artificial flavours or preservatives, which are not good for dogs.
Fish (avoid giving fish that has small bones in it; boneless fishes such as salmon is OK).
Chocolate: the darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it can be.
Pizza: it doesn’t provide much nutrition for your dog. But the main reason it’s not recommended is because pizza could contain onion or garlic which are dangerous for your dog.
Let’s talk about bones 🍖
It’s much safer to give your dog raw bones than cooked ones. Pork and poultry bones, or cooked bones of any kind, are strictly forbidden since bone shards can cause choking and serious damage to the dog’s mouth, throat, or intestines. Read more about bones here.
Dangerous human drinks for dogs:
Coffee: due to high caffeine.
Tea: caffeine content.
Alcohol: for obvious reasons.
Soda: any kind of drink with high sugar content should be avoided.
Salmon: just cooked; avoid raw salmon
Shrimp: avoid raw shrimp.
Milk: very limited amount since most of the dogs have problems digesting lactose; any kind of food containing milk could be risky to your dog. If it causes diarrhea or digestive upset, stop giving any kind of milk product to your dog.
Cheese: in moderate amounts; if it causes diarrhea or digestive upset, stop giving it to your dog entirely.
Cottage Cheese: limited consumption; if it causes diarrhea or digestive upset, stop giving it to your dog entirely.
Yogurt: in a moderate amount and make sure to avoid sweetened ones. If it causes diarrhea or digestive upset, stop giving it to your dog entirely.
Cashews: limit consumption.
Almonds: limit consumption.
Chicken: preferred cooked to prevent salmonella.
Honey: limited amount.
Salad: without the dangerous veggies such as garlic or onion.
Beef jerky: avoid too spicy ones and also those with onion or garlic flavour.
Ham: ham bought in the super markets is high in sodium which isn’t great for dogs. It’s fine as a small treat but not as a regular part of your dog’s diet.
Walnut: fresh walnuts aren’t dangerous in small amounts, but moldy ones are.
Sausage: not recommended because sausages are too spicy and salty for your dog.
Prawn: make sure to cook it and remove shell.
Pancakes: you can give plain pancakes to your dog but only in moderation.
Yes, but brown rice is preferred since white rice is highly processed. Rice is easy for dogs to digest, especially with any digestive issues. You can feed your dog rice on its own or combined with other foods such as chicken. Obviously, be sure the rice is cooked.
The answer is a confident no. Soda and other sugary drinks contain a high level of sugar which is bad for dogs. It’s especially dangerous if your dog is diabetic. Some drinks such as Coca-Cola contain caffeine, which is also not recommended for dogs, making it an even worse choice. Water is the best choice for your dog.
Occasionally, as a treat in small portions, but never substitute a full meal with cereal. Feeding your dog too often with cereal could lead to obesity and diabetes. Avoid giving your dog cereal containing chocolate or sugar.
Probably yes, as an occasional treat in moderate amounts, but keep in mind that your dog may be allergic to corn. Cornflakes are high in carbohydrates and contain zero protein so they don’t provide much nutritional value to your dog’s diet. Avoid the ones with chocolate and sugar.
Chips are not toxic to your dog but they are a really bad choice, so it’s not recommended to give them regularly. The greatest danger from your dog eating chips is salt poisoning, and it can make your dog very thirsty. Make sure to avoid chips that are onion or garlic flavored since these are dangerous to your dog in any form. A very limited amount (one piece) is ok, but provide enough water to your dog after that.
It’s not recommended to give French fries to your dog. Fried potatoes with added oil and salt are bad for dogs. One or two pieces is okay once in a while, but it shouldn’t be a regular treat or replace a full meal.
Please note, the sole purpose of this app and the website’s content is to inform, not to provide any kind of medical advice. Always consult with your vet regarding your dog’s diet, especially if she has medical problems. By using this app and reading this website’s content, you understand and accept our disclaimer.
Source: https://www.aspca.org/
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