A few weeks ago, I wrote about foods that are dangerous or toxic to dogs. To ensure safety, I also wrote, it is a good idea not to feed “people food” to dogs at all. I might even have said that doing so encourages dogs to beg. Well! My dog friends were not pleased with this post! Several of them convinced their humans to ask me to write about human foods that can safely be given to dogs and that are even beneficial.
First, a note about feeding treats and begging behavior (that is, humans feeding treats to dogs and dogs begging for more). Feeding dogs scraps from the table encourages them to hang out near the table anytime anyone is eating and ask for their share. Some dogs, the food-driven ones, can get quite pushy about this. Some will even loudly demand their treats. I do not think this behavior enhances my mealtimes, so I discourage it. Any treats you do give your dogs should be placed in the dog’s own bowl or handed to the dog (as a reward during training, say) far away from the dinner table and not while humans are dining.
OK, then, what human foods can dogs eat safely?
Yogurt. The cultures in yogurt are beneficial to dogs’ digestion. Other dairy products are likely to cause diarrhea, though, and should not be given to dogs. Jana has a big spoonful every morning with her breakfast. Get nonfat or lowfat plain yogurt, but avoid brands that include chemical additives or gelatin. Flavored yogurts are high in sugar and should not be given to dogs.
Vegetables. Many dogs love carrots. These are a great training treat. A large carrot given to a puppy can be a wonderful distraction, keeping the puppy happily gnawing it occupied for up to half an hour! Don’t give too many, though. Carrots are high in sugar. And your dog will have bright orange stool.
Green beans are also a good snack. I add green beans (fresh or frozen — canned vegetables have too much sodium) to Jana’s and Oriel’s meals when they are trying to lose weight. The high fiber beans add bulk, which fills the dogs up without adding a lot of calories. Therefore, I can reduce the amount of high-calorie commercial food I feed without leaving the dog’s tummy growling.
Winter squash and sweet potato can be helpful for dogs who have loose stools. Many dogs love broccoli, but it can cause gas, so don’t give a large amount. Same goes for cauliflower.
I recommend avoiding starchy vegetables like corn, peas and potatoes. They are fattening and don’t offer the dog any nutritional benefit. Raw potatoes can make dogs sick, too. Avoid onions and mushrooms.
Fruit. Most fruits are too high in sugar to be good dog snacks, and some, like grapes, are dangerous. My dog loves bananas, though, and blueberries are said to be good for dogs. Many high quality dog treats contain these fruits and apples, as a source of fiber.
Eggs. Back when Jana and I lived alone, we often shared scrambled eggs. She really misses those days. Raw eggs should not be fed to dogs; they can contain salmonella and an enzyme in raw eggs decreases dogs’ absorption of some vitamins. But hard-boiled — with shells, scrambled, poached, or cooked any way the dog likes them, eggs can help make a dog’s coat shiny and provide easily digested protein. When fed with the shells, they provide calcium too.
Oatmeal and Rice. When the dog has a stomach ache or diarrhea, feeding bland, high fiber foods can help. Oatmeal and rice, especially brown rice, show up in many high quality dog foods to provide fiber and bulk. Many dogs are allergic to wheat and corn, but rice and oats don’t seem to be common allergens.
St. Petersburg abounds with high-end pet stores where you can find healthful dog treats. A quick look at the ingredients will show you that fruits, vegetables, yogurt, and oatmeal are common additions to doggy treats. Our dogs are partial to Fred’s Finest Pet Treats, available at the St. Petersburg Saturday Morning Market (in season) and other local markets. Sometimes, Fred’s Finest offers frozen yogurt treats for dogs too. Lucky dogs!
This article appears in Jul 15-21, 2010.