Are Human Foods OK For Dogs To Eat?

First, An Overview

Yes, there are those who make a habit of feeding their dogs table scraps (we don't)... but as a rule most people generally stick to serving dog foods to their pets day in and day out.

Of those pet owners who choose to give their dogs HUMAN foods, most reserve it for "special occasions" OR times when you're nursing a sick pet back to health. (We do both.)

In fact, some people are dead set against it, citing a number of reasons that feeding human foods to dogs is inappropriate.

Others simply refrain from giving their pets processed foods, and choose to include only "all-natural" human foods in their dog's diet.

When Dogs Are Rewarded With "Human" Treats

Largely due to the rise in popularity of Kong toys, more and more pet owners are choosing to supplement their dog's diet with a variety of human foods these days.

Which "begs" (hehe) the question:
"Which human foods are safe for dogs to eat?"

Furthermore:
"What do I need to know if I decide to give my dog foods that were originally intended for people?"

Here's what I've learned...

You should always consult a veterinarian before introducing your dog to any new food item.

That said, following are the best tips I've found with regard to feeding human foods to dogs...

Be Careful What You Feed Your Dog

Not all dogs are alike.

Just because someone else's dog didn't have an adverse reaction to a particular human food doesn't mean that your pet will behave the same way.

Your dog could react differently to the taste of the food, or he could even have an allergy to one or more of its ingredients.

Therefore, whenever you are introducing your dog to a new food (or combination of foods, such as those in Kong Recipes be sure to test it out while you are home so you can monitor your pet's reaction.

The odds are very small, but there's always the chance that your dog could be allergic to a particular food, or it just may not sit well with your dog -- causing upset stomach, diarrhea or vomiting. Sometimes, even the smallest change in a dog's diet can cause and adverse reaction.

Which Foods Are Okay For Dogs?

At the very least, you should avoid feeding your dog human foods that are salty, sweet (high in sugar content), or fatty.

Then, you will want to check lists like these, so you know which foods have been proven to be dangerous to dogs:

• Human Foods You CANNOT Feed To A Dog
• Foods Potentially Poisonous To Pets
• Grapes And Raisins Are Off-Limits
• Artificial Sweeteners Are Harmful To Dogs
• Foods To Avoid Feeding Dogs

Here are some human foods that dog owners sometimes give their dogs.

A Word Of Advice About Trying New Foods

Before you introduce a new food to your dog, there's one other thing that you should take into consideration:

...the "begging" factor.

In our household, we've noticed that our dogs tend to "beg" for people foods any time they smell something they're familiar with. On the other hand, if they've never had it before, then they don't beg for it.

For that reason, we have only introduced 2 human food items to our dogs: peanut butter and bread. (And bread is only for very special occasions!)

To give you an example, any time we crack open a jar of peanut butter (...wait, I mean move the peanut butter jar from the pantry to the counter!) or open a loaf of bread, our dogs start salivating and licking their lips in anticipation of getting some. Yet we could hold a big 'ol steak in front of them, and they wouldn't blink an eye!

So just remember, once you introduce a particular food to your dog, there's no going back. They'll always want some of yours whenever you're eating it in the future.

When it comes to filling Kongs, we layer ingredients inside the Kong toy using various combinations of those two human foods and other dog foods, treats, and Kong-friendly products made specifically for dogs.

We've also reserved a handful of other human foods for times when our dogs have various ailments (like diarrhea) or need to take pills.

Those foods are: rice, cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, and plain yogurt.