List of Safe and Harmful Human Food for Dogs

list of safe human foods for dogs


Some human foods are safe and secure for dogs. Want to know what type of food is healthy for dogs? If you are curious, here we have listed healthy meals for dogs that you can surely share with your pet.

 There are a lot of foods such as vegetables and fruits; dogs can easily digest. Besides digestion, human foods also provide them health benefits such as better strength, healthy immunity against allergic reactions, and an effective breathing system. But before giving it to your dog pet, read the below-mentioned points and learn which foods are healthy and which can lead to toxic allergies. 

Dog’s health is a serious concern; don’t feed everything you crave for. It is essential to take care of the sensitivity of their stomach. 

Let’s first talk about the healthy and nutritious food that you can provide to your pet dog. 

Which human foods can dogs eat? 

Some human food meals are healthy for dogs. Here is the list of safe human foods for dogs- 

  • Carrots 

Carrots are healthy for dogs. Both raw and processed carrots are safe for a healthy meal. Carrots are low in calories and have a great concentration of vitamins, minerals, and fibers. 

Chewing a carrot will help to promote dental health by removing plaque from their teeth. 

It is also suitable for a dog’s immunity and skin. 

woman feeding carrot to pet dog
  • Apples 

Apples are considered as a great source of fibers that can help your dog with digestion. Apples provide significant vitamins A and C, minerals, and antioxidants. 

But you should never feed apple seeds, as they contain cyanide chemicals that can be harmful to your dog’s health. 

Make sure that apples are nicely cut in proper slices.

  • White rice 

Cooked white rice is a healthy and easily digestible option for your dog. But feeding white rice to dogs with diabetes can cause a high blood sugar level. Make sure that your pet has proper health conditions to digest white rice.   

puppies consuming dairy products
  • Dairy products 

Dairy products are highly nutritious for dogs. Products such as milk, cheese, yogurt, and buttermilk are safe for dogs. 

But, overeating dairy products can cause indigestion because dogs have a very low digestive enzyme lactose level. 

Make sure that you provide dairy products in a limited quantity.  

Dogs with less lactose intolerance should not eat any of the dairy products. It may lead to vomiting and uneasiness.

  • Fish 

Salmon, tuna, and shrimp are all good and safe for dogs. They are a great source of protein and rich omega-3 fatty acids. Fishes help to improve the dog’s skin, immune system, and overall health. 

Consumption of fish will help the dog’s digestion and ensure healthy blood circulation.

salmon fish dish to feed dogs
  • Chicken  

Boiled and plain chicken is a good option for a dog’s healthy meal. 

It is a great source of protein. Additionally, it is better to feed them cooked chicken than the raw one. 

  • Peanut butter 

Peanut butter is healthy and safe to treat your dog with healthy snacks. But it is better to feed in limited amounts. 

 Peanut butter should be unsalted and plain with no added sugar. Peanut butter has essential elements such as vitamin E, protein, and healthful fats.  

You can add peanut butter to the normal diet that you are going to provide to your pet dog. 

bowl of popcorn
  • Plain popcorn 

Plain popcorn without salt, sugar, or butter can be a beneficial diet for dogs. 

Popcorn consists of minerals such as zinc, phosphorus, and magnesium, which are all significant for keeping dogs healthy. 

  • Bread

The whole grain bread is safe for dogs to eat as daily snacks. You can spread a spoonful of peanut butter on the bread to make it tasty for dogs. Make sure to add extra ingredients in a limited amount otherwise, a heavy diet may cause weight gain. 

hungry dog
  • Turkey 

Turkey is an essential ingredient in most commercial dog foods.

Cooked turkey is a safe and healthy food for dogs to eat. 

  • Blueberries 

Blueberries are a great source of antioxidants, phytochemicals, and fibers, giving a wide range of health benefits to dogs. 

Frozen and fresh blueberries can be the best option of brunch for dogs. 

  • Green beans 

Plain green beans are a great source of calcium, iron, vitamins, and proteins. 

Dogs can eat both cooked and raw green beans. They are suitable for healthy snacks for dogs. 

beans
  • Watermelon 

Watermelon is safe to ear, as long as it doesn’t include the seeds. 

This is a very healthy treat, as it has low calories and consists of nutrients such as fibers and vitamins A and C.

  • Bananas 

Dogs can also eat bananas as they are rich in fibers, vitamins, and minerals. You can provide mashed bananas for evening or early morning treats to your dog. 

  • Strawberries 

Strawberries are rich in nutrients, antioxidants, and fibers. It has a low level of calories that can help your dog to remain under the ideal weight. 

dog eating fruits
  • Oranges

Dogs can eat oranges in limited quantities. 

Oranges are low in calories and high in nutrients. 

  • oatmeal 

Oatmeal is a safe diet for your dog. It provides lots of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Don’t add flavored ingredients to the oatmeal as it could be harmful to your dog.

It is a healthy and tasty meal that can also help in the weight management of your dog. 

Human Foods that can harm dogs

Not all human foods are ideal for sharing with your pet dog. Some human foods can make them ill severely. 

Avoid giving a dog-

  • cherries

Cherries consist of a harmful chemical called cyanide. It is the most poisonous chemical that can make your dog ill. 

  • Avocado 

Avocado consists of a substance called persin, which is toxic to health and can cause diarrhea and vomiting. 

  • Chocolate, coffee, and caffeine 

Never feed chocolate or any caffeinated products to dogs. These products have a high quantity of harmful chemicals called methylxanthines. Consumption of such substances can cause vomiting, abnormal heart rates, and even chances of death. 

  • Raisins and grapes

Grapes and raisins are highly toxic to dogs. Even if you feed them in small quantities, it can cause kidney failure or even death.

Dogs are a very sensitive concern, also refrain from providing any raisin stuffed food such as fruit cake or pancakes. 

  • Cinnamon

A large amount of cinnamon can cause dangerous effects such as vomiting, diarrhea, and liver diseases. 

  • Coconut products 

Coconut products have a high level of potassium, which can be toxic to a dog’s health. 

Dogs should not drink coconut water or intake any of the coconut products.

  • Onions, garlic, and chives 

Onions, garlic, and chives consist of substances such as organosulfoxides, which are harmful to the dog’s health. 

  • Salty foods 

Too much salt can be toxic to dogs; it can cause excessive thirst, urination problems, and sodium ion poisoning. 

Symptoms include-

  1. Vomiting
  2. Excessive body temperature
  3. Diarrhea 
  4. Involuntary trembling or shaking of body parts.
  • Xylitol 

You should never feed xylitol to a dog. It is a sugar substitute found in candies, lollipop, chewing gum, and toothpaste. Consumption of xylitol can cause a lower level of blood sugar level and excessive weakness to your dog. 

The symptoms may lead to severe issues like liver damage and even death.

  • Alcohol 

Consumption of alcohol can create a serious issue. It has chemicals that can cause ethanol poisoning in dogs. 

It may lead to tiredness, seizures, vomiting, and diarrhea. 

Products consist of alcohol such as beverages, mouthwash, perfumes, and cleaning products that must always be kept away from your dog pet. 

Final words –

Most human foods are safe for dogs. You should always feed them in a moderate amount, as an excessive amount can lead to serious health issues. 

Some human foods are safe and nutritious for dogs, while others are harmful and could be even poisonously deadly.

But keep in mind that all dogs have different capacities to digest or tolerate human foods.  

 If one dog can digest complex food, that doesn’t mean another dog has the same capacity to tolerate. 

Nevertheless, it is enjoyable to provide your pet dog a treat every day. 

Khwahish Goyal