If we’re being realistic here, chances are there isn’t a pet dog in the United Kingdom that isn’t regularly treated to a few scraps of human food. Whether it’s slipping that last bit of meat from dinner under the table of sharing a rare treat with the pet you love more than life itself, it’s something everyone is guilty of and is a habit that’s nigh-on impossible to break.
At the same time, however, most are now very much aware of the fact that there are certain human foods that you should and should not under any circumstances feed your dog – even on occasion. The only problem here being that the debate as to which treats to give and which to avoid is raging more fiercely than ever before and literally everyone has their own unique take on the subject.
Of course common sense should tell you two things – actual dog treats made for dogs are always the best way to go and when it comes to advice, take it only from the experts. Investing in quality treats from online pet shops for dogs can guarantee your dog’s safety and wellbeing, but the odd human snack can also be well-received too.
So when it comes to treating your dog with a few bits and pieces from around the home, what are the foods and snacks you should be sharing and avoiding?
Kicking off with one of the most hotly-debated foods of all, cheese isn’t toxic for dogs as some say it is, but it can be tricky for their digestive systems to cope with. Nevertheless, dogs love the taste of cheese and will happily wolf down as much as you give them, so is it a good idea? Well, the simple answer is that if you give your dog a small cube of cheese on a (very) infrequent basis, it’s unlikely to do them any harm. By contrast, include it in their diet as a regular treat and chances are their digestive system will suffer.
One of the most popular human treats of all time and one that’s commonly given to dogs…if only for the adorable display they’re then known to put on. In terms of harm or otherwise, peanut butter generally doesn’t contain anything that’s directly toxic to dogs and is therefore considered to be a safe snack to share. But at the same time, the protein in peanut butter is largely offset by the quite massive fat, calorie and often salt content, which is why it should be given to dogs in very small quantities on an infrequent basis.
While it’s not necessarily the best idea to feed raw eggs to dogs, cooked eggs can be quite fantastic for a dog’s health. Packed with protein and essential nutrients, the occasional hard-boiled egg will not only delight your dog, but can also be good for his health. Again, it’s a case of serving up such treats on an infrequent basis and not in large quantities.
It’s pretty rare to find a dog that will wolf down fresh vegetables so this is hardly a concern for most. However, if your dog does seem to have a taste for veggies – raw or cooked – there are some to keep out of his diet. For example, mushrooms, onions and garlic are known to cause health problems for dogs when eaten in large quantities, while carrots, peas and green beans are much better.
While things vary from one dog to the other, fruits in general are known to be problematic for the health of dogs – at least when offered fresh. As such, it’s generally advisable to give the fresh fruits a miss unless otherwise advised by a professional, instead sticking to specially made fruit-based dog treats that can be picked up from good pet stores.
Is the hysteria regarding dogs and chocolate justified? Well, while there’s nothing to say that a cube of human chocolate will kill your dog dead, it’s safe to say that it will not do him any good at all. Chocolate has been linked with all manner of quite catastrophic canine health problems and therefore should be avoided altogether. Doggy chocolate on the other hand, go for it!
While peanut butter may be generally considered to be a safe treat in moderation, the same cannot be said for macadamia nuts. Not that most pet owners are in the habit of feeding their dogs such premium treats, but if and when the opportunity should arise, be aware that macadamia nuts are extremely toxic for dogs.
It’s a simple one really – put your faith in the high-quality dog treats of a leading brand that’s spent decades formulating goodies that don’t just taste great, but can also work wonders for your dog’s health.
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