The Best People Foods For Dogs
Posted on: 10 February 2016
You might be tempted to feed your dog table scraps, but there are a lot of common food options that are terrible for dogs. If you do want to feed your dog table scraps, though, there are a few options that are actually excellent for dogs and that you can feel good about feeding it.
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is one of the best healthy treats for dogs thanks to the healthy fats, vitamin E, vitamin C and niacin. However, avoid feeding your dog salted peanut butter. Never feed peanut butter with Xylitol to your dog since it can be toxic. Peanut butters with this ingredient are considered specialty butters and are usually only sold in specialty health stores, but it is still important to double-check.
Meats (Especially Chicken And Salmon)
Just because dogs will eat any meat they can find, doesn't mean you should always feed a piece of meat to your dog. Just like with people, old or spoiled meat is bad for a dog. Also, make sure that the meat is cooked. Even though dogs eat raw meat in the wild, there is still a risk that your dog will get food poisoning. Choose the leanest cuts of meat to avoid contributing to weight gain. Chicken is one of the best options and can provide your dog with the protein it needs. Also, like with humans, dogs benefit from the Omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon. Alternatively, you could give your dog fish oil supplements.
Oatmeal (Especially With An Egg)
A bowl of oatmeal can be great for a dog that is irregular, thanks to the fiber within. Only use plain oatmeal and make sure to cook it thoroughly. The only downside is that it does not provide enough protein, so dogs should only eat the protein on days that they have digestive issues. If you are concerned with your dog getting enough protein, you can cook an egg to add to the oatmeal. Cholesterol is not as much of a concern for dogs due to their shorter lifespans. Eggs also contain Vitamin D.
Cheese
Unless your dog is lactose intolerant, cheese is a good source of calcium and protein. Cottage cheese is the best choice because it is easy on your dog's stomach. It is also useful for hiding medications your dog doesn't want to take. You will know your dog is lactose intolerant if the cheese causes diarrhea or flatulence.
For further assistance, contact a local animal hospital.
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