Keep Your Dog Healthy, Not Just Happy
We wish our dogs could live forever, but one of life’s biggest cruelties is the imbalance between our time and theirs. There isn’t much we can do about the clock, but there’s plenty we can do to give them the healthiest life possible. Here are 10 foods to stop feeding your dog and 10 to give them more often.
1. Rawhide Chews
The debate about rawhide has been a long one, but it can actually be fairly dangerous. Depending on how much your four-legged friend eats, it can upset their stomach, but more worrisome is that it can cause a blockage in their digestive system. At the end of the day, it’s best to avoid these.
2. Broccoli
Small amounts of broccoli are perfectly fine in moderation. However, if you give your dog too much, you run the risk of causing stomach upset because of a compound called isothiocyanate—which is found in the florets and can cause any number of GI problems from excess gas to diarrhea.
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3. Avocado
Avocados are one of the best things for us, so it stands to reason that they’d be good for dogs—but they aren’t. Their high fat content spells trouble for your pet and their tummies, with large quantities responsible for potential vomiting and diarrhea. Not only that, but the pit is a choking hazard.
4. Salty Foods
A french fry here or a potato chip there might not seem like the worst idea, but salty foods are best avoided. If your pup eats too much salt they can experience salt poisoning, which comes with several scary symptoms from diarrhea, excessive thirst, seizures, or even death in the worst case.
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5. Fatty Foods
Highly fatty foods hold no place in your dog’s diet because they’re packed with sugar, salt, and calories. There’s also the added risk of seasoning like garlic or onion, which are well-known problems for canines.
6. Chocolate
Just about every dog owner knows not to give their best friend chocolate, but it warrants a reminder. While some are particularly dangerous, like dark or baking chocolate, milk chocolate can still do serious damage. Keep dogs away from our guilty pleasure so they don’t experience any symptoms of chocolate poisoning: vomiting, diarrhea, panting, restlessness, or an abnormal heart rate.
7. Certain Dairy Products
A little piece of cheese here or there isn’t bad, but frequent consumption of dairy products like milk or ice cream can upset their stomachs to the point of vomiting or diarrhea. If you don’t want your pooch to miss out on the joy of ice cream, there are lots of dog-friendly recipes available!
8. Spoiled Food
Though some dogs eat everything under the sun, they aren’t a furry trash can. If you spot mold on your food or notice it's past the expiration date, don’t just feed it to the dog. Moldy food can cause harmful symptoms like vomiting, tremors, and even seizures if ingested.
9. Certain Nuts
Your pup will probably have a rough time digesting almonds, which are high in fat and can lead to GI upset. But the real problem lies with macadamia nuts. Ingestion can lead to macadamia nut poisoning, which not only causes hind leg paralysis, but also weakness, depression, and vomiting.
10. Certain Fruits
Citrusy fruits are best avoided, even in moderation, as they often upset your dog’s stomach—and chances are, they won’t like the taste. Grapes (and therefore raisins) are also one of the worst foods to give your furry friend as they’re considered highly toxic.
Don't worry, pooch, not all hope is lost! Here are ten foods to give them more often.
1. Lean Meats
Fried meats are off the table, but lean meats like chicken or turkey are terrific choices for your dog. They’re loaded with protein and low in fat, so your pup’s muscles retain their strength without the risk of obesity or GI upset.
2. Cooked Eggs
Raw eggs are a bad idea, but cooked eggs are a terrific avenue for protein intake. They also have lots of vitamins and minerals perfect for their coat and skin health.
3. Cooked Carrots
Broccoli may cause gas in dogs (and us, too) but cooked carrots are a totally healthy snack that has vitamins and minerals, promotes better vision, and even helps with plaque. They’re also high in fiber and boast a low-calorie count.
4. Pumpkin
If your vet ever prescribed pumpkin then you already know it’s beneficial for pups with constipation or diarrhea. However, pumpkin also comes loaded with fiber, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids, all of which contribute to a healthy diet.
5. Brown Rice
Much like pumpkin, brown rice is a frequent go-to for puppies with digestion issues because of its high fiber and carbs. Cooked brown rice is a safe and healthy option for pets and pet owners alike!
6. Sweet Potato
You may have noticed sweet potato in your dog’s food before and there’s a good reason for that. They're rich in all kinds of good stuff, from vitamins and minerals to antioxidants and fiber—so whether it’s a treat or part of your dog’s diet, it’s a good addition.
7. Fruit
We’ve ruled out grapes and citrus fruits, but we haven’t touched on all the good options still available! Apple slices, pineapple, blueberries, raspberries, and watermelon are all completely fine as a healthy snack. Bananas are good too, just be mindful of how much you give as the high sugar content isn’t great in the long run.
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8. Fish
So long as you keep out the bones and seasoning, cooked fatty fish is a great addition to your pup’s diet. It keeps their coat healthy, has tons of vitamins and minerals, and also gives their joints a little boost.
9. Peanut Butter
Every dog’s favorite! Rest assured that peanut butter is perfectly fine to give your dog as a snack. While you should stick with moderate amounts on account of any added sugar, peanut butter still has plenty of vitamins, healthy fats, and protein.
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10. Cooked Oatmeal
Oatmeal is healthy for us and our pets, so don’t leave your dog in the lurch at breakfast! Plain, cooked oatmeal provides plenty of fiber and can also be a good way to stop GI upset in its tracks—especially constipation or runny stools.
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