We share our home with our furry pals (sometimes even our seats and beds.) Sharing our favourite food with them seems natural as well, right?
It is not necessarily the case. We have different digestive systems from the dogs. Some foods are safe to human, but it can be toxic or harmful for dogs.
Indeed, there are some human food that are safe or even healthy for dogs. These healthy foods may provide specific health benefits for your dogs, such as enhancing joint strength, relieving allergies, or boosting immunity.
Before you share your food with the dogs, check out the list below to see which foods are safe and healthy. Whether you are usually feeding your pup dry food or fresh dog food, these healthy foods can be easily introduced to your dog’s diet. You may either serve them directly, mix them with kibbles or even turn them into little treats.
10 Healthy Foods for Dogs
1 | Cooked Chicken Meat
As long as the chicken is cooked, it is a super healthy food for dogs. They are often seen in the ingredients used in dog foods as well.
Offering high level of proteins, they are good for dog’s health. You may either serve it on its own, or mix it into the regular dog food they are eating.
It’s worth mentioning that chicken bones may cause chocking issues, and may even puncture their intestines. Remove the bones before you feed your furiends chicken.
Also, don’t feed your dogs with raw chicken meat, as it may lead to Salmonella infection.
2 | Salmon
Not only does salmon contain high proteins, it is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids. It keeps your dog’s skin and coat healthy and gives his immune system a boost.
Raw salmon may contain fatal parasites. Make sure the salmon is fully cooked.
3 | Banana
If energy is what you want to offer your four-legged friends, banana is a good option. This delicious fruit is a high energy dog food, which is also rich in vitamins, electrolytes and potassium.
Bananas can be good snacks before you bring your pup to the dog parks.
4 | Carrots
Your pup can eat carrots whether it is raw or cooked. It is nutritious and low in calories, adding more vitamins, minerals and fibres into your dog’s diet.
Eating carrots can also remove plagues from dogs’ teeth, which is good for their dental health.
5 | Blueberries
Blueberries are rich in vitamins, minerals and fibres, and also contains antioxidants which is good for disease-fighting and preserving their brains.
Blueberries are low in calories and small in size, making it a perfectly healthy snack for dogs.
6 | Pumpkin
Pumpkin is chock-full of vitamins and other nutrients, such as Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Calcium and Iron. It is good for promoting dogs’ immunity and bone health. That's why pumpkin is commonly used in homemade dog food or dog treats.
Be sure you choose the plain canned pumpkin instead of the canned pumpkin pie fillings. The latter contains too much sugar which may cause digestive or other health issues on dogs.
7 | Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are something that can be easily digested by dogs. Rich in vitamins and carotenes, they are good for maintaining good eyes and healthy immune systems.
Don’t feed them with excessive sweet potatoes though. Too much Vitamin A may lead to bone and muscle problems.
8 | Chia Seeds
Rich with Omega-3, fibers and proteins, chia seeds are good for relieving pain and inflammations.
You may simply sprinkle them over the dog food or other treats.
9 | Cooked Eggs
Fully-cooked eggs are safe for dogs to eat. Offering your pups the healthy proteins and vitamins they need, eggs can help an upset stomach.
Eating raw egg whites may lead to biotin deficiency in dogs. Cook the eggs before you give them to your furiends!
10 | Apples
High in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, apples provide a significant amount of fibres which is good for dogs’ digestive systems.
Eating apples can also help warding off their bad breaths.
Remember to remove the apple seeds first, as they may contain toxic chemicals.
Things to Remember
You can be experimental and mix the above foods with the regular dry dog food or wet dog food. Not only do they provide more nutrients to our furry friends, but they also refresh their diets.
Of course, even healthy or fresh foods fed in excess will cause other health issues. For example, excessive unsalted peanut butter may cause canine obesity, and too much dairy product may lead to digestive problems. Feed your pups with healthy food in moderation.
If you are in doubt, or your pups are having below diseases, consult your veterinarian before you change their diets.
- Diabetes
- Weight Issues
- Food Allergies
- Problems in Kidney or Liver
- Other health issues
There are some other foods that are big no-nos in dog’s diet, including chocolate, cinnamon, almond, garlic, ice-cream, alcohol, coffee, tea, etc. Before you give human food to your pups, check the ingredients first!
It’s also important to remember that you should not cook the human foods with seasonings, especially salts and sugars. Excess salt will cause thirsty and urination issues, and even sodium poisoning.
These are the common symptoms of sodium poisoning:
- Fever
- Seizures
- Shakings
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
If you want your pups to try new human food, seek for vet approval first. You should also introduce the new foods into their diets gradually without any rush. This way, you can monitor your dogs for any negative effect like allergies.
Different dogs have different health conditions, lifestyle and exercising levels. You may come to realise that kibbles are better for your dogs. Need not to worry about the nutritional deficiency. There are so many dog food labels in the market now that offers a wide range of nutritious dog food options in all kinds.
4 Top Dry Dog Foods/Dog Treats
1. AVP Chicken & Sweet Potato Complete Grain-Free Dog Food (All Life Stages)
There are numerous benefits of grain-free dog food. AVP®1863 Fortunate Folk Village™ Chicken & Sweet Potato Grain-Free Dog Food is a completed and balanced nutrition perfect for dogs and puppies. The salmon oil for Omega-3 Fatty Acids is also good for healthy skin and coat.
2. AVP Salmon & Cod Fish Complete Grain-Free Dog Food (All Life Stages)
Another flavour of Grain-Free Dog food from AVP®: Salmon & Cod Fish. Combining fresh real meat with high-quality salmon and cod fish, it contains easily digestible protein that helps maintain healthy organs and lean muscle mass.
3. Cocotherapy Coco Charms Blueberry Cobbler Vegetarian Pet Snacks
For those who wish to offer a vegan diet to your dogs, consider Cocotherapy Coco Charms Blueberry Cobbler Vegetarian Pet Snacks. Made in 100% organic and non-GMO ingredients, this treat is excellent for skin, coat and oral health, and supports digestive health and healthy weight.
4. Cocotherapy Coco Charms Pumpkin Pie Vegetarian Pet Snacks
Another vegan treat from Cocotherapy Coco Charms — Pumpkin Pie Vegetarian Pet Snacks. Also made in organic ingredients, this delicious treat is also good for dogs with sensitive tummies.
The above top-rated dog food brands are available at BARKMALL. Feel free to order online and wait for the pet supplies or pet food delivery at home with your furry friends! Want to get dog food free delivery? Spend over $400 to enjoy free shipping!
Interested to know more about the 2020 best dog food or pet food labels? Read our Pet Food Reviews on AVP, Orijen, Monge, Thrive.
