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5 Human Foods That Are Insanely Good for Your Dog

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Does your head ever feel like it’s spinning when it comes to what food is good for your dog and what’s not?

Never mind that we have to navigate the complicated landscape of picking out the right dog food. (Grain free? All natural? Organic? High protein? Chicken? Lamb? And what’s the deal with rice?)

On top of all that, we as dog parents also have to watch the human foods our pups intake  whether it’s intentionally given to them or they pull a robbery and nab a snack without our consent. And if they do snatch the food, we have to make s split-second decision on whether it’s bad for them and what we should do.

Oy. Talk about exhausting.

So instead of getting all worked up about having to know everything, let’s take a breather and talk about five human foods that are insanely healthy for your dog.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of all the healthy human foods for dogs. Instead, it’s a quick look at five simple foods that go a long way toward boosting your dog’s health.

  1. Carrots

    This low-calorie vegetable is packed with vitamin A, which boosts the immune system and keeps your pup’s skin and coat in tip-top shape. And you can’t forget about beta carotene and how it supports eye health in both humans and animals.

    Carrots are also high in soluble fiber always a good thing for Rover’s regularity! And last but not least, dogs love the crunch of a carrot, and this is great because carrots support the dental health of dogs.

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  2. Pumpkin

    High in fiber and low in calories and fat, pumpkin is loaded with great nutrients like beta carotene, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc and vitamins A and C, all of which enhance a dog’s health.

    But where pumpkin really succeeds is in helping a pet’s digestive tract. In fact, many vets recommend canned pumpkin when a dog’s stools are too loose or too hard since it acts as a binding solution through a pet’s digestive tract.

    Just note that a little bit of pumpkin goes a long way.

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  3. Apples slices

    An apple a day keeps the vet away! Apples contain calcium, vitamin K, vitamin C and fiber, and this strengthens your dog’s immune system, keeps their coat healthy and shiny, and helps with regularity.

    And like with carrots, a crunchy apple is fun for your dog to chew and helps clean their teeth. Cut an apple into pieces and give to your pup as a naturally sweet treat.

    One word of caution: Keep the core away from your pup and never, ever give them a whole apple. Why? Apple seeds contain cyanide.

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  4. Salmon

    As long as it’s cooked thoroughly and the bones are removed, salmon is fabulous for Fido. Why? The omega 3 fatty acids and lean protein. This improves brain health, reduces joint inflammation and stiffness, and improves a dog’s skin and coat.

    Bake up some salmon and add a bit to your dog’s dish for a yummy, healthy surprise.

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  5. Sweet potatoes

    Sweet potatoes are often overlooked as a beneficial food for dogs, which is a shame because they’re a great source of fiber and packed with vitamin B6, vitamin C, beta carotene and manganese.

    We recommend cutting the sweet potato into 1/4″ slices and putting it into a food dehydrator to create a delicious and super healthy treat. Here’s how. You can also boil the potato and give your dog cut-up chunks.

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Of course we have to mention that you should always consult with your veterinarian about what’s the best for your dog. And when you introduce a new food, give your pup just a small amount at first to make sure it goes down OK, and then continue to keep an eye on them.

Check out more articles about: Health & Nutrition

17 Comments

  1. Kelley

    I feed my dog cut green beans as a treat, they are sweet an he loves them. I’m gonna try the apples an salmon also. Thank you for the Information. K. Gentry

  2. Marilyn

    My dogs loves broccoli and cauliflower especially the stems

  3. Skip

    My catahoula loves asparagus and mushrooms which freaks out my grand children

  4. Sharisse

    The only caution I must add to this is if you feed salmon, make sure it is not King salmon. It contains too much fat. Our dog got pancreatitis from king salmon. Sockeye or coho is much lower in fat but still should be fed in moderation to be safe.

  5. Kathleen

    Sharisse what’s your take on canned salmon?

  6. Linds Halvorson

    My dogs eat carrot,turkey,brown roce and blueberrirs everyday.Banannas, watermellon ,strawberrys, eggs they love also.

  7. Gloria Gray

    My dogs get dry food with a touch of water. I mix in two things with each meal it varies but usually one dairy non fat Yogart. A Tablespoon of unsweetened organic applesauce , cooked or uncooked carrots ( mine prefer cooked), gr8. Beans, 1/8th cup peas, 2 teaspoons only. Beets canned. Shredded usually broccoli chopped up and steamed or boiled. With out at least , they look at me like Mom please your forgetting my treats.lol

  8. Jon

    My English Bulldog get a can salt free mixed drained with every meal. Her Vet says it’ll help keep her weight down and is very healthy.

    • Valerie Brown

      Salt-free, mixed, drained “what” with every meal?

  9. Valerie

    I have 6 dogs they love eating apples and sweet potatoes and carrots.😁😁

  10. E noel

    I give our girl all of the above, I include blueberries and bananas.

  11. Elizabeth Fenton

    I have been told that the egg white is not good for dogs.

  12. Sharon

    My dog is 10 and has EPI. I began feeding her homemade food a month ago. Her digestion is better, her coat is softer and her poops are firmer. She whines whenever I’m cooking her foods. She loves sweet potatoes and broccoli. I only wish I liked vegetables as much as my dog does.

  13. Sandra Ainbinder

    The only thing I don’t feed from your list is sweet potatoes, because I don’t eat them. I microwave salmon filets at least 3 times a week with liquid smoke. I give the cooked skin with the scales, to my dog who thinks it’s candy. I make pumpkin based dog crackers with cinnamon in a corn starch base (she has allergies). Sometimes the carrots are cooked . Is this all OK?

  14. Dianne Akin

    I love making health food for my 3 babies.
    Their favorites are carrots, watermelon, bananas, I also put applesauce in some or their food.

  15. Linda van Alphen

    I cook ostrich meat which I order from farm. This near does contain certain organ meat which is good for them. Added to this, green beans, pumpkin, carrots and peas. As l cook for a week at a time l add brown rice. Full pot. Leave it to cool and freeze in portions as needed every day. My staffy loves his food.

  16. Linda van Alphen

    I cook ostrich meat which I order from farm. This meat does contain certain organ meat which is good for them. Added to this, green beans, pumpkin, carrots and peas. As l cook for a week at a time l add brown rice. Full pot. Leave it to cool and freeze in portions as needed every day. My staffy loves his food.

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