5 Best Foods for Dogs
1. Apples
Apples are a great source of vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, antioxidants and fiber, which are good for dogs.1
American Kennel Club. Can Dogs Eat Apples?
Be sure to cut the apple into pieces as you would for a human, and avoid feeding your dog any seeds as those can be toxic and cause gastrointestinal tract blockages.
2. Blueberries
Blueberries are high in vitamin C, fiber, antioxidants and phytochemicals, making them a healthy choice for humans and for our canine friends.2 “Frozen berries can be great to cool your dog down,” said Collins. Keep a bag of organic frozen blueberries in your freezer for hot days as a sweet treat or to throw into a meal.
3. Peanut Butter
Peanuts are an excellent source of protein, and peanut butter is great for masking medication, bath time and for putting into enrichment toys. Be sure that your peanut butter is as plain as possible and free of additives like palm oil, sugar and salt. Many natural-foods stores will have machines that make peanut butter from raw unsalted peanuts.
4. Cucumber
Green veggies high in fluid content like cucumbers, green beans and zucchini are great, especially for dogs that have ravenous appetites or are trying to achieve a more healthy body weight, according to Collins. Cucumber in particular is low in calories and high in vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium and magnesium.3 Be sure to cut off the ends and cut the cucumber into smaller pieces to avoid choking. Some vets also advise to peel the skin.
5. Meat
Lean meat cooked in water or its own juices, without seasoning or excess oils and fats, is ideal. Collins encourages caution when it comes to feeding dogs bones, as hard bones can crack a dog’s teeth, get stuck in the roof of their mouth, or cause GI tract obstruction. Lean meat, such as chicken or turkey, without skin and carefully picked off the bones, tends to be a safe choice.
5 Worst Foods for Dogs
1. Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nut toxicosis is characterized by vomiting, weakness, hyperthermia and central nervous system depression.4 “We see a lot of dogs that have accidentally eaten macadamia nuts around the holidays,” Collins shared. If you are baking with nuts or if your dog is prone to grabbing food off a plate or table, be extra careful.
2. Grapes and Raisins
Ingesting just one grape can cause incurable kidney failure in dogs, according to Collins. If your dog has ingested a grape, raisin or foods containing those ingredients like raisin bread, contact your veterinarian or animal hospital immediately, as vets have medication that can help a dog vomit before the toxins are absorbed into the body. If you can’t get to a vet, hydrogen peroxide could work as a last resort (but check with a vet first).
3. Chocolate
Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine, two chemicals that affect a dog’s central nervous system and heart and act as diuretics that can cause dehydration.5 The darker the chocolate (the higher the cacao content), the more lethal the dose could be. This means that any foods containing caffeine, like coffee, should be avoided.
4. Alliums
Onions, garlic, leeks and chives are all part of the Allium genus of plants, which contain N-propyl disulfides and thiosulfates that can cause damage to dogs’ red blood cells.6 Beware when cooking with these veggies, as a tiny piece can cause a lot of harm to pets, especially smaller dogs. And while we may not readily give these vegetables alone to our pets, they are often hidden in sauces and seasoning for meat and other foods.
5. Chewing Gum
Anything containing xylitol is highly poisonous to dogs. Even a small amount of xylitol will cause a dog’s blood sugar to plummet to dangerous levels, leading to vomiting, loss of balance, tremors and possible liver failure.7 “I don’t keep chewing gum in my home at all,” says Collins, who has three dogs of his own. Even if a dog doesn’t immediately show symptoms, they may need to be monitored overnight by a vet. Xylitol can be one of those sneaky additives hiding in some peanut butters and sugar-free desserts including light ice creams and baked goods.
The Bottom Line
The love we have for our canine besties knows no bounds, and maybe reading this article has given you some food for thought (pun intended). All good pet parents are interested in giving their dogs the best lives while they are on Earth with us. The good news is that you don’t need to go to extremes or spend a lot of money. There are some simple fresh foods that are easy to throw in your grocery cart. Plus, adding more fresh fruits and veggies will only benefit ourselves, the humans we love and the dogs who make our lives exponentially brighter.