Teaching healthy eating to children can begin taking care of the family pet. Healthy treats for your dog can be found by simply opening your refrigerator. Try these veterinarian-recommended treats that are safe and tasty for your dog.
Skip the dog bone, and try giving your dog a nutritious apple or let your dog eat a banana. Add a little peanut butter, for a really special treat. Your dog (and kids) will love it!
Should Dogs Eat Apples and Bananas?
Just like humans, apples and bananas are healthy snacks for dogs.
But be careful! Children should learn that scraps off the family table are generally unhealthy for dogs. Here’s some tips for safe feeding of human treats to pets.
Safe Fruits for Feeding Dogs
Most fruits are safe to feed to your pet, with the exception of citric fruits like oranges, which may upset your dog’s tummy, and grapes and raisins which can be toxic to pets.
Never feed your pet a whole fruit with a pit or seeds intact. Pits are choking hazards, and seeds can be harmful as well. Just like you feed your kids, clean the fruit, then slice it in pieces as a pet treat.
- Strawberries and blueberries
- Apples
- Apricots
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Mangos
- Pears
- Pineapples
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
Unhealthy, Toxic Human Snacks for Dogs
Some fruits may also cause diarrhea, upset tummy, and toxic effects in dogs. Avoid feeding your dog include grapes and raisins, peaches, plums and persimmons.
- Chocolate
- Grapes and Raisins
- Fruits with Pits (Persimmons, peaches, plums)
Pits in persimmons, peaches, and plums can cause inflammation of the dog’s small intestine. Pits can also cause intestinal obstruction and some pits contain cyanide, which is poisonous to both humans and dogs.
Grapes and raisins have been known to cause kidney failure in dogs. Depending on the size of the dog, as little as four grapes/raisins can have an adverse effect.
Safe Vegetables For Feeding Your Dog
Some dogs love veggies; others avoid them at all cost. Experiment to see if your dog loves the following healthy treats.
- Broccoli
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Cucumber
- Lettuce
- Zucchini
Just like in humans, some vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli may cause gas in your dog. Introduce only one vegetable at a time to see whether their digestive system (and your nose!) approve.
Vegetables to Avoid Feeding Your Dog
- Onions
- Garlic
- Wild mushrooms
- Rhubarb
Avoid feeding your dog onions, garlic, wild mushrooms and rhubarb which can be toxic to pets. Onions contain thiosulphate which is toxic which can damage red blood cells. Wild mushrooms — which may be found growing in your backyard or on the nature trail where you walk your dog — should never be eaten. Rhubarb contains oxalates which can trigger abnormalities with the nervous system, kidneys and digestive tract.
Tips for Healthy Treats for Dogs
- Fresh fruit and raw vegetables are a healthy treat option for dogs; no added chemicals, artificial flavors or coloring and your dog benefits from the extra vitamins and minerals.
- However, just like kids, dogs can be picky eaters. Your pet may dislike one particular fruit or vegetable, yet love another. Try a few out to discover their taste.
- Start by giving your dog to one particular fruit or vegetable at a time for a few days. By doing so, you can pinpoint whether or not the treat is causing an upset stomach or diarrhea.
- It’s important that you be aware of your dog’s unique dietary needs in order to ensure his lifelong health. Make smart choices about feeding treats to your pets, and remember not to overfed. Speak with your vet about the daily caloric need of your pet.
- If you are unsure of which alternate treat to feed your pet, discuss your concerns with your family veterinarian before introducing a new type of food to your dog.
Give a Dog a Bone?
Just like with kids, leftover bones (chicken bones, beef bones, pork bones) are choking hazards for dogs. Avoid giving table scraps to your pet.
