Most people are warned not to give dogs people food, and for good reason. There are plenty of things we eat that they simply can’t. However, whether you’re looking to add a little extra to their meals or to find a tasty treat for them, there are some that can do them a lot of good.
Cooked chicken
A staple of many whole food dog meals, adding chunks of cooked chicken to a meal is a great way to ensure that your dog gets the protein content that their diet needs or if you’re a little low on their regular food.
Apple slices
A tasty, hydrating treat that also has another purpose. Chewing on apple slices can actually help clean a dog’s teeth and freshen their breath. Just make sure that you get rid of the core and the seeds, as they can become choking hazards, especially for smaller dogs.
Parsley
Your dog might not go crazy for parsley, but you can chop it up and add it to their meal and they will probably not notice. Besides being a great source of calcium and potassium, it also helps freshen their breath.
Salmon
All the things that make this food so good for humans just as easily make it a prime fit for dog, especially that high Omega 3 fatty acid content, which promotes good organ health, healthy skin, an effective immune system and more. Rather than giving them slices of pure salmon, however, there are whole food dog foods that contain plenty of this particularly healthy fish you can buy, too.
Peas
Another natural ingredient regularly found in dog meals, peas are rich in potassium, and can help fill out your dog’s bowl when added to their dinner.
Liver
Rich in flavour, and rich in vitamins and iron, these succulent organs tend to have a higher concentration of the vital components of your dog’s diet than regular muscle meat. Fresh liver is recommended, and it’s also recommended you work out how much to serve your dog safely, as they are full of vitamin A, which can be harmful to them in high doses.
Peanut butter
Naturally, you don’t want to give them too much, and you should avoid using salted peanut butter or sugar free alternatives that use artificial sweeteners. Otherwise, peanut butter is a treat dogs go crazy for and contains tons of healthy fats and vitamin B.
Yogurt
Another beloved treat of dogs, and one regularly found amongst the ingredients of whole food treats. Just as they are probiotic for humans, they can also encourage good gut health in dogs, which is important not just for digestion, but also the immune system.
Eggs
Another protein packed ingredient that, when cooked and scrambled, can be added to their regular dog food or simply served up as a treat. Eggs also contain a lot of riboflavin, which improves the pooch’s metabolism, meaning they can better convert fat into energy.
Oatmeal
A lot of people worry about filler ingredients like flour, but oatmeal is a good, natural source of fibre that’s easily digested and actually improves digestion issues, such as irritable bowels, especially in older dogs. If your dog is allergic to wheat, then it also makes a good alternative source of fibre.
The above examples are only some of the people foods your dog and happily and healthily eat. Just make sure you check before you try out any others.
