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Can Dogs Eat This?

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Almost every dog owner has asked themselves the question “can my dog eat this?” As a dog owner, I’ve never been 100% certain of what my dogs can eat, without looking it up. I mean, don’t all dog owners thing of weird questions to themselves? Like “I wonder if my dog can eat that?” “I wonder what my dog would look like with hair” and “I wonder if my dog likes to be read to?” By the way, if your dog does like being read to, here are some great books to read to your dog. 

Anyways, back on track to what dogs can eat or can’t eat. It’s time to stop wondering and start knowing! Dogs are an important part of our family and if we’re not careful, if they eat something they’re not supposed to, it can be detrimental to their health.

Unless you plan on making your own DIY dog treats, there is a decent list of what your dogs can and cannot eat. Let’s get started on the list, shall we?

what human foods can my dog eat

Top Foods Dogs CANNOT Eat

It can be hard to know what not to feed our dogs, but it’s important for everyone to know what they should or should not feed their dog. Here are the top foods your dogs cannot eat. Check out this full list of what dogs shouldn’t eat from Purina. 

Chocolate: This is one food everyone should know that dogs cannot eat. Not even in small amounts. Although it may be tempting to give your pup a square or two of chocolate, it’s not wise.

Macadamia nuts: For some reason, a lot of pet owners think that dogs can have macadamia nuts, but this isn’t true. This is one food that should be avoided in dogs.

Cinnamon: Sometimes we pay be tempted to give our dogs a treat that has cinnamon in it, but that’s not a good idea.

Xylitol: This is a HUGE no no for dogs!  It can cause your dog’s blood sugar to drop and can also cause liver failure. In any circumstance, don’t let your dog get close to this. They shouldn’t eat it out of the bag and should not eat treats with it. Candy, gum, toothpaste, baked goods, and some diet foods are sweetened with xylitol.

Garlic: Avoid giving your dog garlic at all costs. They shouldn’t have it by itself or any foods that have garlic in it


Top Human Foods Dogs CAN Eat

Before we get started, I wanted to share an extensive list of foods that dogs can eat. It’s nice that dogs can eat more food than they can’t. You can check out that list right here.

Turkey: When it comes to eating meat, most of it is okay and are great sources of protein, including turkey. Just make sure the turkey is bland so the dog doesn’t get something he shouldn’t have and that it is all boneless.

Green Beans:  Actually, green beans re a great choice for your dog and will help load her up with iron and vitamins.  They are super nutritious and low in calories. However, make sure you feed your dog only fresh beans or canned ones with no added salt.

Quinoa: One ingredient you may not know is safe for dogs is quinoa. In fact, a lot of brand name dog foods have this ingredient in their dog food.

Peanut Butter: When you want to give your pup a special treat, add peanut butter to it. Peanut butter is the perfect treat for dogs because it works as a protein.

Eggs: Protein is really good for dogs, which is why eggs work really well for them as a food. You can cook and cut up the egg and add it to their regular dog food. Just make sure the eggs are cooked through completely as you don’t want to pass on bad bacteria to your pup.

Cheese: Believe it or not, but your dog can enjoy cheese, they just need it in small amounts. Some would say that low fat cheese is the best option for dogs.

Pineapple:  Yes. Raw, peeled and cored, bite size pineapple, in small amounts, is an excellent snack for dogs as it contains a high amount of vitamin C and other vitamins and minerals. Plus, frozen pieces of fresh pineapple make a delicious treat in the summer. Be very careful that you don’t over-do it, though, as too much pineapple can be harmful to your pet. 

Puppachino from Starbucks: If your dog is craving something while you get your Starbucks fix, hook them up with a Puppachino from Starbucks.

what my dog can and cannot eat

FAQ for the Top Foods Dogs Can Eat

Q. Can dogs eat boneless spare ribs?

A. YES! Be sure to cook them totally and avoid anything sweet like barbecue sauce.

Q. Can dogs eat poppy seed muffins?

A. NO, your dog shouldn’t eat poppy seed muffins.

Q. Can dogs eat spaghetti squash?

A. YES! Your dog can eat spaghetti squash. You can even freeze it and give it to them. (Try these amazing Spaghetti Squash Recipes and don’t worry about your kids dropping any on the floor)

Q. Can dogs eat tilapia?

A. YES! When it comes to eating tilapia, your dog will enjoy it cooked with a bit of flavoring.

Q. Can dogs have quesadillas?

A. MAYBE! As long as there is nothing spicy and the quesadilla contains no spice, it will be fine.

Q. Can dogs have red velvet cake?

A. NO! Traditionally, dogs should not have sweets.

Q. Can dogs have rice krispie treats?

A. NO! Traditionally dogs shouldn’t have sweets.

Q. Can dogs have snow cones?

A. YES, you can get the dog a snow cone without sweetener or flavoring.

Q. Can dogs eat popcorn?

A. NO! The kernels can be a choking hazard to our beloved pets.

ultimate guide to what dog can and cannot eat

Pet Poison Control Information:

If your dog ingests something it shouldn’t have or if you are just not sure it is toxic to dogs, please contact the animal poison control center immediately.

If you have pets, you really should have the ASPCA Animal Poison Control App!

Focusing on dogs, cats, horses, and birds, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center’s (APCC) free mobile app helps owners quickly identify over 300 potential everyday hazards, provides crucial information about the severity of the problem and critical next steps.

Call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Be sure to check out my DIY Dog Treats from Leftovers – 2 Recipes for a homemade treat!

You’ll love these 15 Beautiful Dog Quotes That Will Swell Your Heart!

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Alex Jimenez

Tuesday 2nd of July 2019

Smart & valuable article. Really very very helpful. Appreciate your thoughts. Keep up the great job. Thanks for your time here.

Mackenzie Grove

Tuesday 12th of March 2019

Your tips are great. I love it! Every dog owner needs to know this info. Because all types of foods are not good for our puppy. Thanks for sharing.

Panimi | Anypetcare

Saturday 5th of January 2019

Hey there, It’s really fantastic information u shared. Thanks for your great effort to make valuable information I love it. Thanks for sharing…

Calleen Petersen

Friday 4th of January 2019

Always good to review what they can and can't eat. #LouLouGirls

Shirley Wood

Friday 4th of January 2019

We use peanut butter on a spoon to give our dog his medicine. Other than that the only other 'people food' ours have ever gotten is pizza crust when we have delivery. He knows when there is pizza in the house too. My daughters dog became seriously ill once when one of the children gave him chocolate. They learned the hard way. He is fine now. More people need to know this! Thanks for sharing with us at Merry Monday. See ya next week!