Dogs actually have far more sensitive stomachs than we often give them credit for. The stereotype that they can eat anything and survive is unfortunately not true. While most dog owners know that their dogs should not eat chocolate, raisins or grapes, we do not always know what they can eat safely and without any worry. Below are ten foods that dogs can eat without fear of causing an upset stomach.
Related Post: The Best Dog Food For Sensitive Stomach
Carrots
Carrots are a fantastic food to have stashed in your fridge for a healthy snack for your dog. They can eat them both raw and cooked, though feeding them raw is when carrots will have the highest amount of nutrients and goodness that will help your dog.
Carrots are great for dogs’ health and well being due to the number of vitamins and minerals they contain. In addition, they are low in calories yet high in fiber so they’re great for a dog’s insides.
Some dogs will love to eat carrots when they are chopped up in their food bowl while others will love to eat them whole so they bite off pieces for themselves. Eating them in this way can be good for their teeth and keeping them clear of plaque and tartar.
In short, carrots aren’t only safe for dogs to eat, they are positively good for dogs to eat.
Eggs
Eggs are one of those food items that we may initially hold off giving to our dogs for fear that they may give them an upset stomach. However, they are safe for our canine friends to eat plus they give our dogs a whole host of nutritional benefits.
For example, just one egg can provide your dog with almost every vitamin and mineral that they need. They are also fantastic sources of protein as well as sometimes thought of as a good food that will stop a dog from vomiting owing to its binding properties. While some nutritionists are wary of this latter claim, there is no denying that dogs can eat eggs safely.
However, what is often recommended that many dog owners will want to follow simply to be on the safe side, is that eggs should be given to dogs cooked and never raw. This minimizes the chances of Salmonella poisoning which comes from the raw egg white in an infected egg.
Rice
Rice is a brilliant store cupboard staple that the majority of us will always have in our cupboards. Whether it is plain, brown or white, all of them are safe for dogs to eat as humans would when it is cooked. Given that it is easy to digest, it is an ideal food to give your dog if they have been suffering from an upset stomach or have been having some gastrointestinal issues. It seems to settle digestive systems down, presumably because it is so bland there is little in it that can affect even the most sensitive of tummies.
If your dog is suffering from stomach problems, it can also help to pour some melted coconut oil onto rice (or simply put a knob of it on the hot rice itself and allow it to melt naturally), which not only makes the rice taste better to your dog, but the antibacterial and healing properties of coconut oil have been seen to help settle a stomach further. It’s high in calories though so go easy on the amount you use.
If you feel your dog is in need of more protein while it is getting over its stomach bug, add a little bit of poached chicken or turkey to the mix. These are equally bland meats that dogs can digest with ease too.
Peanut Butter
When given in moderation, peanut butter is a fantastic treat to give your dog. It is very high in fat and calories, so if your dog is not very active, this may be a reward food that you need to save for a rainy day, but it is otherwise safe for them to eat, despite the fact that so many humans suffer from an intolerance to peanuts.
Ensure that any peanut butter you do give your dog is a plain, unsalted type, preferably without palm oil added. Palm oil is simply bad for the environment due to the mass production of it, but the salt in some peanut butter can be harmful to your dog in terms of how dehydrating it can be.
However, peanut butter, when controlled, can be used in a variety of ways when feeding your dog. Due to its high-fat content, dogs tend to love the stuff so it is good to use as a treat in your training, particularly a high value treat for when they achieve something very special. Other dog owners use its viscose nature to stuff Kongs with to keep them busy and mentally stimulated for a long time.
Related Post: Best Dog Treats
Salmon
Salmon is readily available so it is good to know that this easy to find fish is also suitable for your dog. Owners may want to use salmon in their dogs’ diets as it is a fantastic food to eat when trying to up the intake of Omega 3 fatty acids which can help keep skin clear and fur coats shiny. These fatty acids are also known to reduce inflammation around the body, which can help your pet with any discomfort.
It is always best, however, to serve your dog salmon when it is poached or cooked in some way. Poaching is best as it keeps the calories down while maintaining the nutritional value of the fish itself. Raw salmon is best to be avoided as salmon has been known to contain nasty parasites that lead to food poisoning which is something that all dog owners will want to circumnavigate as in some circumstances salmon poisoning disease can be fatal.
Mackerel Skin
While a dog can also eat mackerel, which is a fantastic source of Omega 3 fatty acids that are crucial to maintaining a healthy coat, the skin is also jam-packed with these helpful nutrients. So whilst owners can certainly give their dogs mackerel, it is great to know that they will enjoy the skin too. This is the part of a fish that is so often wasted in households, but homes with dogs should be able to give their dogs a mackerel skin safe in the knowledge that they are also doing their pooch good with what they will think is a delicious treat. Homes get to reduce their general waste, so it is a great food to know as being safe to give to dogs.
Broccoli
Broccoli is one of those superfoods that helps both humans and dogs. Like us, dogs can eat broccoli raw or cooked. Giving them the raw stalks of a broccoli is a great way of minimizing food waste within your home.
It is a good snack to give dogs as, like carrots, it is a vegetable that is low in calories but otherwise packed full of goodness that will help your dog no end.
However, it is a snack that should be moderated by owners as it does contain a compound that can irritate stomachs and intestines if too much is ingested. To stay on the safe side, therefore, only give your canine friend broccoli on occasion so that they don’t suffer from any upset tummies as a consequence.
Blueberries
These antioxidant-rich berries are not only safe for dogs to eat, but they are also incredibly nutritious and beneficial to our furry friends. They are jam-packed with vitamins and minerals as well as fiber that will help your dog’s gut and intestinal tract which can so often be plagued by cheaper dog food kibble. The nutrients and minerals that blueberries contain will help your dog in so many ways – much like they do humans. They can help keep their eyes bright, their fur and coat sleek and their skin clear of irritations. The antioxidants within them also help keep dogs healthy as antioxidants help fight infections that are otherwise difficult to fend off without help.
Plus, they are low in calories yet incredibly sweet so they are perfect for giving to your dog as a treat or a reward for good behavior. They think they are getting praise, while you know that what you are giving them is not full of refined sugar and processed junk like so many specially made dog foods are.
Watermelon
Watermelon is another fruit that is safe for dogs to eat, though owners should take caution with slices that have seeds in them or with the rind still attached – neither will agree with your dog. Some owners have seen the rind affect their dog’s digestive system, while the seeds can be choking hazards, especially in smaller breeds.
However, the reason it is a great snack to give to your dog is that whilst it is incredibly sweet and delicious to them, it is an easy way to get some much-needed vitamin C and vitamin A into their diets. Watermelon also has a whole host of other nutrients within it that will help keep your dog fit and healthy, not to mention that it is ideal in the Summer to help your dog stay hydrated due to its high water content. It can be so easy on hot days for our dogs to become dehydrated and watermelon offers the perfect vehicle to get their water levels back up.
Corn
Corn is a tasty food that humans love, but dogs can eat it too – as long as it is moderated and dispensed properly. Owners should always give dogs corn when it is cooked and in kernels. Corn should never be given to dogs when it has been cooked in butter or salt or is still on the cob. Giving dogs food that is covered in butter is a way of making their calorie intake for the day skyrocket, while salt is bad for dogs in general for a smattering of reasons. In terms of the cob, it poses an obvious choking hazard and if eaten or consumed, may need surgery to remove if a blockage is caused.
However, when served appropriately, it can be a fantastic source of much-needed vitamins and minerals. For this reason, and the fact that it is so cheap, corn or its derivations are often added to dog food to bulk it out. To give an idea of how much corn should be given to a dog a day, before too much is ingested, a tablespoon or two should suffice for your pooch to gain maximum benefit from the vitamins and nutrients included.
Related Post: Dry vs Wet Dog Food: How To Choose The Best For Your Pet
The Human Foods That Dogs Can Eat: The Bottom Line
When giving any of these foods to your dog’s normal diet of kibble, care has to be taken even though they are indeed safe for your dog to eat. This is because when introducing a new food, you can never be sure of your individual dog’s tolerance to a food. Like humans, dogs can have allergies and intolerances too.
Bearing this in mind, start adding these foods, if you wish to, slowly but surely to your dog’s kibble over time. Not only does this prevent any stomach upsets from the sudden change in diet, but it is also a way of maintaining your dog’s weight at a healthy level. Being overweight or obese can be the start of other ailments in dogs.
Some foods on this list though make fantastic replacements for the sugary treat or reward foods that we otherwise so often give our dogs when we are training them. Plus, not only are they far lower in calories as well as being kinder on teeth and waistlines, they also provide your dog with the added bonus of much-needed vitamins and minerals.
Sources:
- Can My Dog Eat This? A List of Human Foods Dogs Can and Can’t Eat, Healthline
- Human Foods Dogs Can and Can’t Eat, American Kennel Club
- Healthy People Foods You Can Give Your Dog, WebMD
Comments