With summer BBQ season in full swing, many dog owners are taking to their patios or enjoying large family gatherings, pooches included. But with these gatherings comes the potential for your dog to be slipped an extra “treat” here and there. Is this safe?
There are all kinds of great foods that you can incorporate into your dog’s diet.
If you do give your dog table scraps or people food, there are a few things you should consider.
Moderation
Your dog is already receiving their daily recommended caloric intake from their kibble or regular food. Adding more food means adding more calories, which can lead to unhealthy weight gain if the dog is fed additional foods and treats more often.
Toxic Foods
There are a number of foods that are downright
toxic to dogs, including
• Chocolate
• Raisins
• Grapes
• Currants
• Onions
• Leeks
• Onion powder
• Macadamia nuts
• Walnuts (walnuts are commonly contaminated with a mold that is very dangerous to dogs)
• Avocados
• Fruits with pits such as cherries, peaches and plums (these pits can cause obstructions while also containing trace amounts of cyanide, which can build up in your dog’s system).
It can be very difficult to determine what exactly is in prepared foods with regards to these toxic foods as well as spices, flavourings or other ingredients if you did not make the food yourself.
While some foods are dangerously toxic, other foods not on the toxic food list can also lead to health issues. For example, fatty or oily foods can lead to pancreatitis down the road, while new foods in general can cause stomach upsets, diarrhea or vomiting.
Healthy Foods
There are all kinds of
healthy human foods that you can incorporate into your dog’s diet, and many dog owners actually cook for their dogs. Some examples include:
• Cooked eggs
• Peanut butter
• Cooked chicken
• Bananas
• Berries
• Watermelon
• Green beans
• Carrots
Giving your dogs these foods as opposed to fatty foods or junk food can be a great way to add variety to your dog’s diet without facing health consequences later on.
Easy Dog-Safe Recipes
If you're looking to step it up another notch with home cooked meals for your pup, we've got you covered. Here at
Earth Rated, we've got a whole lot of dogs on our team. After months of taste testing, we've gathered all our pups' favorite DIY recipes for you to try your hand at.
DIY Frozen Dog Treats: can be fully customized with foods your dog loves!
DIY Ice Lick Recipe for Dogs: keep your dog cool and busy with this fun, fully customizable ice lick treat!
DIY Frozen Watermelon Treats for Dogs:
refreshing and perfect for any occasion!
DIY Fresh Breath Cookie Recipe for Dogs: parsley and mint are herbs known to have properties that help combat bad breath, and these cookies are a tasty treat your dog will enjoy!
DIY Sweet Potato Snacks for Dogs: sweet and nutritious. Cut the slices into shapes to make things even more fun!
DIY Ice Cream Recipe:
delicious for humans and dogs alike!
DIY Birthday Cupcakes for Dogs:
we can’t guarantee your dog will love wearing a party hat, but we can guarantee they’ll forgive you after one of these Birthday Pupcakes.
If you try these recipes, let us know how it went over on
Instagram. Bone appétit!
Next Article:
Why Do Dogs Chew Their Paws?
