The most common question we receive from customers is: “what can I feed my dog?” For starters, feeding your dog human food is bad! When you feed your dog human food, it isn’t only bad for them on an ingredient/health level but it provides understanding that what you eat is what they should eat. This is where the trouble begins and it creates a chain reaction of effects.
What Can’t I Feed My Dog – Food Creates Expectations
#1 – Always remember that the food your dog eats creates an expectation for your dog. By feeding them people food, your dog will begin to believe what you eat is what they should eat. This creates begging! They’ll beg you and any other people in your household.
At first it seems cute. They prance over, sit down firmly, wag their tail, and give that look. That look that cannot be denied. That look that makes you feel awful inside if you don’t feed them what you are eating. Don’t give in! If you feed your dog human food, your family will become more than annoyed. Sitting down for a family meal or an afternoon snack will result in a headache! Your family meal will now consist of constant barking until they get your food, running back and forth, and jumping at your legs from under the table. Therefore the more you feed your dog your food, the more your dog will think it is okay and further the habit.
Generally feeding your dog human food is unhealthy for dogs. Even if humans digestive system can handle it that doesn’t mean dog’s can. Dairy, like ice cream, creates an upset digestive system. Onions and garlic can damage red blood cells. Grapes and raisins have shown to cause kidney failure. Raw meats and fish can cause food poisoning. Caffeine can be fatal and cause rapid heartbeat, restlessness, irregular heartbeat, and more. Caffeine overdose in dogs cannot be reversed either. Theobromine in chocolate is fatal. However, there are some human foods that dogs can consume safely. But by doing this you convince your that all foods are okay leaving you with issue #1.
What Can I Feed My Dog?
- Spinach
- Squash
- Zucchini
- Apples
- Peanut Butter
- Seedless Watermelon
- Frozen Bananas
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Green Beans
- Catnip
- Unsalted/Unbuttered Popcorn
- Potatoes/Sweet Potatoes
- Quality USA Organic Unprocessed Dog Food (Look for a meat to be the first ingredient in the ingredients list) (Watch out for recalls)
- Quality USA Organic Unprocessed Dog Treats (Watch out for recalls)
- Melons
- Cheese
- Ginger
Processed dog foods are not the way to go. Many expert dieticians state that processed dog foods affect dogs the way processed junk foods affect humans. Make sure to research the dog food you pick and be certain it is free of chemicals, preservatives, and unethical practices.
Your dog will still know you love them even if you don’t let them taste the world of human food. They will be thankful and just as happy being fed “safe foods”. Instead, buy them some dog toys or dog themed gifts to display your love for them.
If you want to feed your dog human foods, be sure to check the safe list of foods here as well: What Can I Feed My Dog – Safe Foods for your Dog. Mix up the safe foods into your dog’s bowl. Find ways for them to think that those safe ingredients are part of THEIR meal, not yours. Don’t let it get out of hand or else you’ll be dealing with issue #1, and let me tell you from experience, it is not fun. So next time you or a fellow dog lover asks “what can I feed my dog?” give them the list and tell them to stick to it!
Dog Lover Store
April 4, 2014
Last Updated on August 31st, 2020
John is the co-owner of DogLoverStore with his wife Kimberly. He enjoys working with computers, listening to music, learning about dog breeds, perfecting the art of coffee brewing, and anything that brings him back to childhood! He received his BS in management information systems at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.