We love our dogs like family and we want them to live their best all of the time. Between making sure to get them the best bully sticks for dogs, natural dog food, and delicious treats, we also want to keep them safe when tossing them a bite of our meals. It’s important to know which human foods are safe for dogs and which are toxic before giving them just anything. Here’s 6 human foods that are safe to share with your pet:
1. Pumpkin pureé
Plain, canned pumpkin pureé is a great source of nutrients and fiber that can aid in digestion. It is safe for every day ingestion, so depending on your dog’s weight, see how much you can give them and mix it in with their dog food to alleviate constipation, upset stomach, and diarrhea.
2. Plain popcorn
If you have plain popcorn with no salt, butter, sugar, or seasonings, this can be a great, nutritional treat to share with your dog. Popcorn has healthy minerals like magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc that can be beneficial to your dog’s health. Keep your dog away from unpopped kernels, though, as this can be a choking hazard.
3. White rice
If your dog is experiencing an upset stomach, plain, cooked white rice can be a fantastic option for them. White rice is very easy to digest and can even help to bind stool; however, avoid this food if your dog is diabetic as it can result in a rise in blood sugar levels.
4. Peanut butter
Unsalted peanut butter with no added sugar is safe to share with your dog, as long as it’s given in moderation. What’s more, this yummy treat is packed with great nutrients like vitamin E, vitamin B, niacin, healthy fats, and protein. You’ll want to avoid peanut butters with added sweeteners, in particular, xylitol that is toxic to dogs. The right kind of peanut butter can be a tasty treat that your dog will love to lick right from the spoon!
5. Plain cooked chicken
You already know your pup loves meat by the way they sit at your feet while you’re cooking. Next time you’re making chicken, set aside some to cook or boil without any seasoning or flavoring, and share with your dog. This can be a great option when your dog is experiencing an upset stomach and their kibble is too much for them.
6. Blueberries
Blueberries are fantastic little treats for your dog as they’re low-calorie and packed with nutrients like fiber, phytochemicals, and antioxidants that can each provide great health benefits for your dog. Some research has show that blueberries, thanks to their antioxidants, are fantastic for improving age-related issues in senior dogs.
