There is a lot of controversy surrounding how diet and the canine disease called DCM are linked. We may be in the dark about what foods to avoid in order to lower the chances of DCM in dogs, but there is only light when it comes to which human foods should never be fed to the dog.
Every pet owner knows that a dog should never, ever consume chocolate. This is because chocolate contains something called theobromine. Although theobromine is entirely OK for human consumption, high quantities of the substance can be fatal to a dog. If you have a dog, you probably keep your baking chocolate chips and Halloween candy safely on the upper shelves of the cupboard.
Most pet owners also know that dogs should not consume onions and garlic. Onions, garlic, leeks, chives, and any other food item of the allium family should never be fed to the dog. Now that we covered a few things that should never be consumed by a canine, it’s time to talk about a few human foods that can actually be fed to the dog.
Eggs and Poultry
As long as you don’t dress up eggs or chicken with fancy spices, like onions and garlic, it is perfectly OK to incorporate eggs and fish into the dog’s diet. Dogs Naturally Magazine says that “eggs are not only a cheap and safe source of raw food for your dog, they are one of the most complete and nutritious meals you can choose.”
Some sources even say that you should start feeding your dogs whole eggs, eggshells included. We’re not so sure about this, but here’s why you might consider it: “If eggs are fed with the shell on, they are a nearly complete food source for dogs. The shells can also be valuable for dogs who have difficulty eating bones.” If you do choose to feed your dog eggshells, simply dry the shells after you’ve cracked the egg and grind it into a fine powder in a coffee grinder.
Meat and Fish
As long as you leave out the bones, meat and fish are perfect for the dog. This is why almost all dog foods contain some sort of animal protein, such as beef, chicken, salmon, lamb, or pork. Even a small amount of cheese is well-tolerated by most dogs.
Peanut Butter
There is a lot of confusion about whether or not peanut butter is OK for the dog. Well, guess what, dogs actually love peanut butter. As long as it does not contain the sweetener called xylitol, PB is completely safe. Homemade, all-natural peanut butter is the best option if you plan on feeding spoonfuls of it to your pooch. Feeding human foods to the family dog can actually be extremely beneficial to a canine’s health, as long as you choose the right ones. It is not suggested that you resort to an entirely human diet for the dog, but a few eggs and pieces of chicken here and there can do some serious good.
