Feeding your dog from the table is a common practice for most dog owners, especially those with children. While it may seem like the highlight of your pet’s day, it’s important to remember that feeding your dog from the table can create negative eating behavior. If you do feed your pup from the table, you need to know what is good for them and what could harm them. Here’s a list of all the food you can and can’t feed your dog from the table.

Table Foods that are Safe to Feed Dogs:

When feeding your dog human foods, it’s important to make sure they’re getting their full nutrition. Avoid giving your pet overly-seasoned foods that may mess with their palate without providing nutritional value. AvoDerm Natural® Dog Food formulas have all the nutrition a dog can need, without the unnecessary fats and seasoning that pose a risk to your dog from the table.

  • White and brown rice
  • Cooked eggs
  • Oatmeal
  • Carrots
  • Cheese
  • Peanut Butter
  • Berries
  • Avocados (without the skin and pit)
  • Green beans
  • Seedless watermelon
  • Bananas
  • Peas
  • Popcorn
  • Pineapple
  • Bread
  • Apples
  • Broccoli
  • Potatoes

Table Foods to Avoid Feeding Dogs:

When feeding your dog either a homemade meal or something off of your plate, avoid these household foods. If you aren’t sure of something you’re feeding your dog or won’t eat it yourself, don’t feed it to your dog. The foods listed below have been linked to several issues with dogs, but this isn’t a complete list. Check with your vet before giving your dog a food that may be of concern.

  • Food Bones
  • Raisins
  • Uncooked meat
  • Onions
  • Garlic
  • Chives
  • Alcohol
  • Chocolate
  • Coffee/Teas
  • Sodas and energy drinks
  • Fruits with pits
  • Yeast dough
  • Macadamia nuts
  • Grapes
  • Corn on the cob

How to Prepare Human Food for Dogs

When deciding to feed people food to your pup, make sure you introduce it in a fitting way. Don’t feed them directly from the table, as this could be habit-forming and could lead to begging. Make sure not to give them any overly-fatty pieces of food, especially any that are over seasoned.

Rotating your dog’s food is extremely helpful when treating your pup to some of your home cooked food. It’s vital that you don’t just feed them just meat or just a bunch of veggies. People love variety in their food just as much as dogs do so mix it up. Remember to introduce this gradually too. If you feed your dog nothing but table food, you run the risk of creating a food sensitivity in your pup. Always check with your vet before introducing any new meals or foods to your dog’s diet for a professional opinion first.

Your dog will eat almost anything you give them. Their digestive systems aren’t as advanced as ours so you have to be especially careful when feeding them any table food. Whether you’re feeding your pup leftovers, or just treating them to your meal, understanding their unique nutritional needs is a vital part of maintaining their health. Take the guesswork out of wondering what foods have proper nutrition by giving your dog AvoDerm Natural® Dog Food. With no wheat, no corn, and no artificial flavors you can be sure your dog is getting the most delicious and healthy meal possible.

SOURCES:

  1. Allemeier, Gabrielle. “Human Foods That Are Good for Dogs.” Petset.com, 24 Jan. 2017.

AvoDerm Natural is a registered trademark of Central Garden & Pet Company.