Can I Feed My Dog Human Food All The Time?

Is it safe to give my dog human food instead of canned dog food?

It is not only important but necessary for your dog’s diet to be balanced and complete. Your dog has to eat various meals that meet its nutritional needs for its overall well-being. A proper balanced diet for a dog should include meals that offer adequate proteins, minerals, fiber, and vitamins, as well as a moderate quantity of fat.

That being noted, you may wonder, can I feed my dog human food every time? Well, dogs and humans digest food in very different ways; hence, some foods which are safe for human consumption can be poisonous to dogs. Nevertheless, there are several human foods that are safe for your dog to consume.

But why feed human food to dogs, especially when there are tons of dog-made food in cans? Does human food have any nutritional benefits to dogs? Can they be fed to your dog all the time?

Why feed human food to your dog?

It may be surprising to know that experts and experienced dog caregivers are gradually coming to the conclusion that homemade dog foods are healthier than commercial or canned dog food.

You may wonder, how is that possible? Well, canned or commercial dog food contains all sorts of ingredients that can be harmful to your dog’s health, such as: 

Preservatives: These are chemical substances usually added to canned food products to help them last longer without spoilage.

Meat byproducts: These are cheap meat products that cost less and are used in the production of canned dog food rather than healthy meat.

Additives: These are also chemical substances added to canned meat products for a sweet flavor smell.

However, human food or homemade meals do not share these risks. It is, for this reason, dog owners would prefer human grade food.

Some of the benefits of feeding human grade food to dogs include:

• more energy
• less preservatives and additive-free meals
• a healthier digestive tract
• healthy joints
• a longer lifespan
• a shinier coat
• better skin and teeth

What human foods can I feed my dog?

When it comes to your dog’s diet, balance is the key. There are lots of human foods that offer all the necessary nutritional benefits required for your dog’s health. However, you could easily get lost in the maze as there are many human foods that are toxic to dogs. 

So, which human food is toxic to dogs and which isn’t?

Human foods that are safe for your dogs include:

Apples, Bananas, Pineapples, Corn, & Watermelons

Fruits, in general, are safe for dogs to eat; still, not all fruits are. The fruits mentioned above are safe to dogs in small portions. They are filled with vitamins that will benefit your dog’s system and are healthy natural sugar.

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Carrots, Potatoes, Kale, & Cabbage

These root vegetables are nutritious and safe for your dog to eat. You can feed your dog either cooked or uncooked; however, make sure not to overfeed this; otherwise, it may lead to digestive complications.

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Eggs

Cooked eggs are suitable for dog consumption. They are an excellent source of proteins, and in addition, they can potentially resolve digestive problems in dogs.

Lamb, Beef, & Chicken

As long as you don’t add seasonings or spices to it when cooked and remove the bones, they are good to go. Processed can versions of this are harmful.

Fish

Well-cooked boneless fish are great for dogs. They are a perfect source of healthy Omega-3, vitamins, and minerals.

Human foods that are toxic to dogs

Some human foods contain toxins that can cause seizures in dogs. Human foods that are toxic to canines include:

• Avocados
• Lemon and Limes
• Chocolate and coffee contain dangerous chemicals like methylxanthines and theobromine that can cause seizures in canines.
• Tea
• Grapes and raisins
• All forms of processed foods
• Alcohol
• Salt or salty foods – Although salt is good for a dog, when taken in excess, it can poison them and lead to serious complications.
• Milk or milk-based foods
• Nuts and almond
• Yeast dough
• Coconuts and coconuts oil
• Fat trimmings from meats
• Garlic
• Cooked bones
• Artificial sugar

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So, can I feed my dog human food all the time?

In reality, most human foods are great for dog consumption. Canned dog food may have its benefits, but its disadvantages outweigh its advantages in the long run. The key is to feed your dog a balanced diet; hence, do not hesitate to feed your dog some of the human food mentioned earlier.

So, as long as the human foods which you intend to feed to your dog consist of all the single healthy food group and nutrients benefits and avoidance of toxic human food, you can feed your dog human food all the time but in moderation. It is advisable to go for homemade or human grade dog food rather than feeding your dog canned dog meals. Raw food is gaining in popularity and is another option you can consider.

You might like to read this next:

9 Amazing Benefits of Cooked Frozen Food for Dogs

This is a guest post by Thomas Villalpando. The views and information expressed in this article are for entertainment purposes only. You should always check with your vet before introducing new foods to your pet’s diet.