A lot of my clients have gotten strict advice from vets or other trainers never to feed their dogs "people food" and I don't always tend to agree with this advice. In fact, I feel that in some cases, feeding your dog "people food" is better than feeding your dog the stuff you get at the pet store. If you take a look at the ingredients on some of your dog treats, you might notice some nasty stuff in there; like corn syrup and sugar. Dogs like sweet, but they don't need sugar. A chunk of apple, a carrot, a slice of banana or a blueberry is plenty sweet for them and they'll perform for these just as happily as a sugar-laden dog treat. If you are going to feed your dog "people food", there are some rules you should follow.
1. Whole foods only. Do not feed your dogs cookies, candy, cake, bread, chips, or other "junk" foods. If you are going to feed your dog real food, feed him real food. Lean meat, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables.
2. Know what's safe. There are some things that are edible by and even very healthy for humans that are toxic to dogs. Don't give your dogs any of these: chocolate, onions, grapes or raisins, avocado, macadamia nuts and anything containing alcohol or caffeine. The artificial sweetener xylitol is also poisonous to dogs. Many dogs are lactose intolerant so it's a good idea to stay away from dairy products. Those that have been cultured, like yogurt and cheese, are usually better tolerated. Also, too much liver can harm your dog, though he loves it. Reserve liver for very special treats only.
3. Don't feed your dog anything you wouldn't eat. Fat and bones, spoiled food, all of these things you wouldn't or couldn't eat. Don't feed them to your dog. He is just as likely to get sick from it as you are. Raw eggs, fish and meat (particularly pork) carry risks of bacteria and parasites that can make both of you very sick as well, but cooked fish and eggs are wonderfully nutritious for both you and your dog.
4. Prepare it well. Remove any seeds, stems, bones, skin and fat. Cook meat, fish and eggs to a safe temperature. Cook grains till they are soft. Potatoes should also be thoroughly cooked. Do not add sugar or salt.
5. Portion Control. Remember that all the food you give you dog should be earned as a reward or placed in his bowl at feeding time. Remember too that all the food you give him counts toward his daily calories so whenever you give him something special, you have to reduce his other food by a similar amount.
6 . Insist on Manners. Never feed your dog from the table, or from your plate. This encourages bad habits. If you would like to give your dog some leftovers, set aside a portion to go into his bowl at his next scheduled feeding time. Or, after you have finished eating and dinner is all put away, you can let him earn some tasty tidbits by doing some tricks for you.
The all beings said, here are some great "people food" treats for your dog:
Diced pieces of grilled, baked or steamed chicken.
Small pieces of yogurt cheese.
Peeled, sliced apple bits.
A whole raw carrot - this is a great chew toy, but messy!
Blueberries - cut them in half and feed them to him one by one.
Steamed green beans (this is great to add to your dog's kibble when you're trying to cut calories.)
Remember that these suggestions are for treats, not for a homemade diet for your dog. If you are interested in a homemade diet for your dog, you will need to do a lot of research and preparation to ensure that you are meeting his nutritional needs. The following books might be useful for you.
Feed Your Best Friend Better: Easy, Nutritious Meals and Treats for Dogs
The Healthy Dog Cookbook: 50 Nutritious & Delicious Recipes Your Dog Will Love
1. Whole foods only. Do not feed your dogs cookies, candy, cake, bread, chips, or other "junk" foods. If you are going to feed your dog real food, feed him real food. Lean meat, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables.
2. Know what's safe. There are some things that are edible by and even very healthy for humans that are toxic to dogs. Don't give your dogs any of these: chocolate, onions, grapes or raisins, avocado, macadamia nuts and anything containing alcohol or caffeine. The artificial sweetener xylitol is also poisonous to dogs. Many dogs are lactose intolerant so it's a good idea to stay away from dairy products. Those that have been cultured, like yogurt and cheese, are usually better tolerated. Also, too much liver can harm your dog, though he loves it. Reserve liver for very special treats only.
3. Don't feed your dog anything you wouldn't eat. Fat and bones, spoiled food, all of these things you wouldn't or couldn't eat. Don't feed them to your dog. He is just as likely to get sick from it as you are. Raw eggs, fish and meat (particularly pork) carry risks of bacteria and parasites that can make both of you very sick as well, but cooked fish and eggs are wonderfully nutritious for both you and your dog.
4. Prepare it well. Remove any seeds, stems, bones, skin and fat. Cook meat, fish and eggs to a safe temperature. Cook grains till they are soft. Potatoes should also be thoroughly cooked. Do not add sugar or salt.
5. Portion Control. Remember that all the food you give you dog should be earned as a reward or placed in his bowl at feeding time. Remember too that all the food you give him counts toward his daily calories so whenever you give him something special, you have to reduce his other food by a similar amount.
6 . Insist on Manners. Never feed your dog from the table, or from your plate. This encourages bad habits. If you would like to give your dog some leftovers, set aside a portion to go into his bowl at his next scheduled feeding time. Or, after you have finished eating and dinner is all put away, you can let him earn some tasty tidbits by doing some tricks for you.
The all beings said, here are some great "people food" treats for your dog:
Diced pieces of grilled, baked or steamed chicken.
Small pieces of yogurt cheese.
Peeled, sliced apple bits.
A whole raw carrot - this is a great chew toy, but messy!
Blueberries - cut them in half and feed them to him one by one.
Steamed green beans (this is great to add to your dog's kibble when you're trying to cut calories.)
Remember that these suggestions are for treats, not for a homemade diet for your dog. If you are interested in a homemade diet for your dog, you will need to do a lot of research and preparation to ensure that you are meeting his nutritional needs. The following books might be useful for you.
Feed Your Best Friend Better: Easy, Nutritious Meals and Treats for Dogs
The Healthy Dog Cookbook: 50 Nutritious & Delicious Recipes Your Dog Will Love
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