It’s tempting to feed people food and sometimes
seems healthier. We know our dogs love it. Here are a few great options when
thinking about offering people food. Remember, though, moderation is the key. Too
much of a good thing can be a problem. Always stop if your dog gets diarrhea,
vomiting or gas.
If you want to do a homemade diet, phone us and we
can give you tips on where to find recipes to balance your dog’s diet. These
listed items are intended as treats or supplemented in addition to a balanced
commercially prepared diet.
1) Peanut
butter: An occasional
tablespoonful of peanut butter is a great treat and also a useful trick to get
your dog to take pills. (Just make sure your brand of peanut butter doesn't
have xylitol – this is primarily a problem with powdered peanut butter products)
2) Yogurt: PLAIN yogurt
can be a great treat. Historically we recommended this for dogs with digestive
issues as a source of probiotic bacteria, but we have since discovered this is
not a great source of this helpful bacteria. So, if you are using this as a digestive aid then you should ask us for a better probiotic supplement recommendation. Use
yogurts without added sugar or artificial sweeteners.
3) Chicken/Turkey: This can be a
great source of extra protein but it must be cooked. Uncooked/undercooked
poultry can give your dog salmonella. Best if giving poultry to stay clear of
seasonings and extra salt.
4) Seafood: As long as this is well cooked
and fed in moderation (e.g., no more than 3 to 4 shrimp at a time), then this
can be a great source of omega fatty acids.
5) Cottage
cheese: A great
protein source to add to your dog’s food.
6) Other cheese: Moderation is the key. In small amounts cheese can be a
great treat and also another good choice for giving pills so long as your dog
isn’t lactose intolerant. Ideal to choose a lower-fat cheese such as mozzarella.
7) Carrots: What a great low fat treat option.
And it’s crunchy, which most dogs love and make it good for your dog’s teeth.
High in fiber and vitamins.
8) Pumpkin: Yes, your dog can have pumpkin, but as either a raw
product or canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling). No pumpkin muffins or pumpkin cake. It’s a superb source of fiber and vitamin A. Highly useful in dogs who
have anal sac issues.
9) Eggs: Cooked eggs are okay for an occasional snack for a protein boost. Eggs
WHITES are best. If you want to use this on a regular basis, then stick to egg
whites only. The yolks are high in fat and can cause pancreas problems if too
much is fed. Never feed raw eggs. There is a risk of bacterial contamination from
bacteria such as salmonella, which could make your dog sick.
10) Honey: A tablespoonful of honey once or twice daily might help
if your dog has allergies. It’s rich in nutrients such as vitamins A, B, C, D,
E, and K, potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper, and antioxidants.
Post by Zoe Forward, DVM, Dipl. ABVP
(canine/feline)
Picture sources:
Peanut butter: https://www.flickr.com/photos/certified_su/234726096
Cottage cheese: https://www.flickr.com/photos/fabienne/18810991924
Eggs: https://www.pexels.com/photo/food-eggs-8439/
