Food Humans & Dogs Can Share

Brunch Anyone?

Let’s face it. We love our dogs. If we could we’d bring them everywhere with us. We’d share everything. Even food. But alas, we know that there are human food dogs need to avoid. On the flip side, what can we eat together? Of course, avoid added nasties like MSG, Salt, Sugar, oh and definitely not wine. Okay, enough of that, here are some things we can eat together.

Food Humans and Dogs Can Share

Bread: Dogs can have plain bread in small amounts. No butter, raisins, salt, sugar. Just note that whilst it won’t harm your dog, it doesn’t have much health benefits, nutritional value. If anything it has carbohydrates where that will convert to sugar. Homemade breads are obviously the better option than store bought since you can control exactly what goes inside (and don’t add any nasty preservatives either.

Cashews: Dogs can have a couple of cashews. It has antioxidants, calcium, magnesium and other nutrients. However, whilst they don’t contain a lot of fat, too much of this good thing can be bad. Make sure they are unsalted.

Cheese: For dogs that aren’t lactose intolerant, they can have cheese in small amounts. Many different kinds of cheese have a lot of fat, so go for lower fat and better ones like Cheddar. Check out our previous journal entry dedicated to cheese.

Coconut: Coconut is good for dogs actually. It contains lauric acid that helps combat bacteria and viruses. It is also good for fighting bad breath and clearing up itchy skin issues and makes their coat shiny. Be careful of the husk as pieces of it can get lodged in the throat. Check out our previous journal entry dedicated to coconut.

Corn: Corn is actually a common ingredient in most commercial dog food. It is safe for dogs to eat. But the cob is something that’s hard for them to digest and can lead to intestinal blockage, so it’s advisable to avoid the cob to be safe. And no butter, please. You can even give them popcorn and here's the recipe.

Eggs: Eggs need to be fully cooked. They are actually a good source of protein and can help upset tummies. Dogs that are allergic to chicken are likely to be able to eat eggs as the allergen in chickens are not present in eggs and an allergy to eggs is quite rare. Check out our previous journal entry dedicated to eggs and noting the differences between chicken and eggs.

Fish: Dogs can eat fish. Fish contains good fats and amino acids, making it healthy for your dog. Salmon is loaded with vitamins and protein, likewise with Tuna. Never feed your dog uncooked or undercooked fish, only fully cooked and cooled, and limit your dog’s fish intake to no more than twice a week as too much can be bad as fish can contain mercury and sodium.

Ham: Unlike Bacon which is high in sodium, ham is okay for them to eat. It still has a fair bit of sodium (though not as much as bacon) and has a fair amount of fat, which isn’t the healthiest. Sharing a piece once in a blue moon is alright.

Honey: Honey is packed with countless nutrients such as vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K, potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper, and antioxidants. Feeding dogs small amounts of honey can help with allergies. Just remember, not too much, natural sugar is still sugar. Check our our previous journal entry dedicated to honey.

Milk: For those lactose-intolerant dogs, it’s not the best idea, but a little bit may not harm them. It might be a little better to give them Goat’s Milk (while you can drink your regular milk). Check out our previous journal entry dedicated to Goat’s Milk.

Peanut butter: Yes, peanut butter is OK for dogs. Peanut butter can be an excellent source of protein for dogs. It contains heart-healthy fats, vitamins B and E and niacin. Raw, unsalted peanut butter is the healthiest option. Read the label carefully to be sure the peanut butter does not contain xylitol, a sugar substitute that can be toxic to dogs.

Peanuts: Unlike almonds, peanuts are safe for dogs to eat. They’re packed with good fats and proteins that can benefit your dog. Just be sure to give peanuts in moderation, as you don’t want your dog taking in too much fat, which isn’t good for them. Please only give them unsalted peanuts.

Popcorn: Unsalted, unbuttered, popcorn is a great snack for your dog in moderation. It contains riboflavin and thiamine, both of which promote eye health and digestion, as well as small amounts of iron and protein. Be sure to pop the kernels all the way before giving them to your dog, as unpopped kernels could become a choking hazard. Check out our previous journal entry dedicated to popcorn with a free recipe too.

Pork: Pork is a highly digestible protein, packed with amino acids, but it contains more calories per pound than other meats. Pork is also less likely to cause an allergic reaction in some pets compared to other proteins. Check out our previous journal entry dedicated to pork.

Quinoa: You can now find quinoa in some high-quality dry dog foods, so yeah, it’s safe for dogs. The strong nutritional profile of quinoa makes it a healthy alternative to corn, wheat, and soy — starches that are often used to make kibble.

Salmon: Fully cooked salmon is an excellent source of protein, good fats, and amino acids. It promotes joint and brain health and gives dog-immune systems a nice boost. However, raw or undercooked salmon contains parasites that can make dogs very sick, causing vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and, in extreme cases, even death. So best be careful about that. Check out our previous journal entry dedicated to Salmon.

Shrimp: A few shrimp every now and then is fine for your dog, but only if they are fully cooked. Make sure every part of the shell is completely removed. Shrimp are high in antioxidants, vitamin B-12, and phosphorus, but also low in fat, calories, and carbohydrates.

Tuna: In moderation, cooked, fresh tuna is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which promotes heart and eye health. As for canned tuna, it contains small amounts of mercury and sodium, which should be avoided in excess. A little bit of canned tuna and tuna juice here and there is fine — prepared only in water, not oil — as long as it doesn’t contain any spices. Check out our previous journal entry dedicated to Tuna.

Turkey: Yes, dogs can eat turkey. Turkey is fine for dogs, but be sure to remove excess fat and skin from the meat. Don’t forget to check for bones; poultry bones can splinter during digestion, causing blockage or even tears in the intestines. Any meat with excessive salt, seasonings, onions or garlic should not be fed.

Wheat/grains: Dogs do not have to be grain-free; it is perfectly alright for them to have grains. In fact, grains like wheat and corn are great sources of protein, essential fatty acids, and fiber. If your dog has certain allergies, however, it might be best to avoid grains, but it truly depends on your dog. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations.

Yogurt: Plain yogurt is a perfectly acceptable snack for dogs. However, some dogs may have trouble digesting dairy products. If your dog can digest it, the active bacteria in yogurt can help strengthen the digestive system with probiotics. Plain yogurt is the best choice. Avoid any yogurts with added sugar, and skip all yogurt with artificial sweeteners.

That’s not an exhaustive list but if you have more you’d like to share, please tell us in the comment box below. You know what else you can share with your dog? Kuro Snacks of course! Every single one of them Kuro Snacks are made for dogs with human grade ingredients of good quality. We find ourselves munching on them from time to time too. Just don’t steal too much away from them. It’s like stealing candy from a baby. You can but why would you?