Can My Dog Eat This? 20 Safe & Toxic Human Foods For Dogs

We all know that dogs are man's best friend, but did you know that they also make the best kitchen companions? That's right! If your dogs are anything like ours, they're always eager to lend a paw in the kitchen, especially when it comes to taste testing. However, it's important to remember that not all human foods are safe for our furry friends. In fact, some foods can be toxic for dogs, leading to an emergency vet visit and sometimes, worse. So we've compiled a list of safe human foods that dogs can eat, so you can share your snacks with your four-legged pal without any worries.

First things first, let's talk about the toxic foods for dogs. Let's call them 'red' foods, where absolutely no amount of these foods is safe for them to eat. These include:

• Chocolate
• Grapes and Raisins
• Onions
• Caffeine
• Alcohol
• Xylitol (a sweetener found in sugar-free gum and candy)

These foods all contain harmful ingredients that dogs cannot process properly. On a mild scale, your dog may have an upset stomach after accidentally eating these foods, whilst other situations can be fatal. Whilst it is often dependent on the size of your dog and how much was accidentally consumed, it is always best to keep these foods far away from your pooch's snout, and always make sure to read the labels of any human food you give to your dog to make sure they don't include anything from this list.

Now, onto the good stuff - the safe human foods that dogs can eat. Let's start with fruits. Most fruits are safe for dogs to eat, as long as they are seedless and cut into bite-sized pieces. Some of the best fruits to share with your pup and their benefits to your dog's health include:

• Apples without the seeds (promotes good digestion and oral health)
• Grapefruit (has anti-cancer polyphenols)
• Bananas (powerful antioxidant that soothes the nervous system)
• Blueberries (anti-aging, repairs DNA damage)
• Strawberries (anti-inflammatory, anti-aging and can help whiten teeth)
• Fresh Pineapple, not canned (relieves joint pain & inflammation)
• Avocado - flesh only, no skin or pip which are toxic (improves brain function & restores nerve cells)

Not only are these fruits tasty and refreshing, but they also contain beneficial vitamins and antioxidants and are a great snack or addition to your dog's regular meal.

Next up, veggies! Just like fruits, most vegetables are safe for dogs to eat and make a great healthy snack. Some of our favourite options and their health benefits include:

• Carrots (boosts immune and eye health)
• Green Beans (inhibits growth of oral bacteria)
• Broccoli (anti-cancer properties)
• Pumpkin (stops overgrowth of bad bacteria & regulates bowels)
• Cauliflower in small doses (can reduce inflammation)
• Portobello Mushrooms (supports the liver & inhibits chronic disease)
• Capsicum (can reduce risk of degenerative disease)
• Eggs (includes every essential amino acid, vitamin & mineral a dog needs)

These veggies are packed with nutrients and can help keep your pup's digestive system running smoothly. The added benefits that they can have for your dog make them a regular occurrence in our house, where any human food offcuts go straight into the dog bowls, reducing waste and keeping them healthy!

On top of the safe fruits and vegetables that your dog can eat, let's not forget about dairy and herbs. Plain, unsweetened yogurt or kefir is a great option for dogs, as it contains beneficial probiotics that can help keep their gut healthy. We pop a small dollop of yoghurt with the dog's meals every few days for an added probiotic hit. Other small additions that are safe and give added benefits to your dog are several herbs and spices such as turmeric (anti-inflammatory), spirulina (reduces allergies), coconut oil (helps fight infections), raw honey (improves immunity), wheatgrass (improves digestion), milk thistle (prevent liver damage) and parsley (improves oral health).

So there you have it - a list of human foods to stay away from and safe human foods that dogs can eat. Choose a few of these each week to add to your pet's meals and rotate through to keep them excited for what they might find next time in their bowl. And of course, don't forget to reward your furry friend with plenty of pats and belly rubs for being such a good taste tester!