Intro to Human Foods for Dogs

Who among us has never snuck our pet a table scrap or two during dinner? When you open a bag of chips, your dog likely comes running, even from the other side of the house—and then those sad eyes convince you to share your snack with them.

Sharing your food with your pup might feel nice, but it’s only a good idea if the foods are healthy and nontoxic. Foods that aren’t good for you—refined and processed food, fast food, and junk food—may be even worse for your dog. Not to mention that giving in only reinforces the begging behavior.

Before you share your food with your dog, be sure that it won’t harm them or necessitate an emergency visit to the vet. Just as it’s best to stick to a healthy diet for yourself, it’s best to stick to a healthy diet for your pooch.

Not all of the foods that humans digest can be safely eaten by dogs. Also, canines have allergies just as often as humans do. In this situation, stop feeding your dog anything not marketed with a dog on the box. You should also take them to the veterinarian for diagnostic tests to check for allergies or other issues. Finally, find the best dog food for allergies and change foods to see if that helps your dog’s symptoms.

Not all human food is bad for your dog. Just consult with your vet if you have any questions or concerns.

With that in mind, check out this list of 50 human foods your dog can and cannot eat, from CyberPet.

Image from iStock/Kerkez.

Leo Wilson

Leo Wilson graduated from a university with a major in animal health and behavior. He has over a decade of experience working in the pet industry, and has contributed to many dog and pet related articles to several websites before he decided to start sharing his knowledge on his own blog. When he is not busy working, he and his wonderful wife love spending time at home with their 3 dogs and 2 cats.

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