We’ve heard it all our lives: don’t feed your dog human food. Instead, get a good veterinarian-recommended dog food with all the vitamins and nutrients your buddy needs. But if you’re into natural, organic, whole foods for your own health, why should your pet eat only heavily processed pre-packaged food?
As a matter of fact, there are plenty of healthy fruits, vegetables, and meats dogs can eat. The trick is to make sure your pet is getting the right balance of nutrients. To help you get started, here’s a list of healthy natural foods that are safe for dogs.
1. Apples
An apple a day keeps the vet away.
©Ellina Balioz/Shutterstock.com
Apples are a nice choice for dogs because they enjoy the crunchy consistency, they are rich in fiber and low in calories, and they make dog breath smell a little less doggy. Core the apple first to prevent choking and oh, by the way, the seeds are toxic so pick those out.
2. Bananas
Doggos can get lots of fiber from bananas . . . sometimes,
toomuch.
©MPH Photos/Shutterstock.com
Loaded with magnesium potassium, and fiber, bananas are a great treat to feed your dog. But don’t overdo it, just give a few thin slices. Otherwise, you may be cleaning up the rest of the day from your pup’s gastrointestinal distress.
3. Berries
Cranberries are safe for dogs in small quantities.
©Evgeniia Shikhaleeva/Shutterstock.com
It’s safe to give dogs berries in small quantities. They’re high in vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber and low in calories. Blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, and strawberries are all fine. You’ll want to stick to fresh ones, not canned or dried ones that often have added sugar.
4. Broccoli
Broccoli is great for dogs . . . but don’t overdo it!
©MarinaVarnava/Shutterstock.com
Nutrient-rich broccoli is good for you and your dog. It’s full of magnesium, sodium, potassium, and vitamins K and C. Altogether, this is a food that’s great for your dog’s immune system, bones, hormones, and metabolism.
5. Corn
Dogs might grab field corn, but experts say cooked corn sliced off the cob is a better choice.
©iStock.com/Firn
Corn is non-toxic for dogs and is often used as a filler in dog food. It’s a great source of carbs and fiber. A best practice is to remove fresh corn from the cob and cook it for your pup. Canned corn can have an unhealthy amount of added salt. Dog experts warn against letting your dog chew on the cob as it could be a choking hazard.
6. Eggs
Dogs can get infected with salmonella from raw eggs.
©Cavan-Images/Shutterstock.com
Eggs are a healthy source of fatty acids, vitamins, and protein, but keep this a once-a-week treat. And make sure they’re cooked without added oil, salt, or butter. Scrambled, fried, boiled – it doesn’t matter.
7. Greens
All kinds of green vegetables are healthy choices for dogs.
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Leafy greens are an essential part of your healthy diet. Feed your dog green beans, kale, spinach, asparagus, or lettuce to load it up with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other health benefits. Just hold the salad dressing.
8. Popcorn
What’s a movie night without popcorn?
©Javier Brosch/Shutterstock.com
Popcorn is a fiber-filled treat that is great to feed your dog, but only if it’s air-popped with no salt, butter, or anything else that tastes good on it. Dogs won’t miss the unhealthy stuff; they’ll be overjoyed to have their own bowl of popcorn the next time you watch Call of the Wild.
9. Potatoes
No french fries for you, but plain cooked potatoes might be on the menu.
©Hortimages/Shutterstock.com
Regular potatoes and sweet potatoes have a lot of vitamins, minerals, and fiber that are great for your dog’s immune system, vision, and skin. Feed them only ripe, peeled, plain, potatoes that are boiled or baked, not fried in oil or coated in butter, salt, sour cream, or any of those other tempting toppings.
10. Protein
Meat is an eye-popping treat for any dog and quite a few people as well!
©iStock.com/adogslifephoto
Dogs’ bodies use proteins and fats as their main sources of energy. Without enough protein, a dog can lose weight, its muscles can atrophy, and it can have poor digestion. So, it’s essential to include healthy proteins in your dog’s diet. These can come from non-meat sources like eggs, peas, and peanut butter or meats like chicken, turkey, fish, lamb, rabbit, or lean cuts of beef or pork. Make sure to cook the meat well and keep an eye on how well your dog digests it or manifests any allergies. Lamb, rabbit, or turkey are meats dogs with allergies tend to tolerate better.
11. Pumpkin
Raw pumpkin is a nice seasonal treat for your doggie.
©Sergius4/Shutterstock.com
We know everything must be pumpkin spiced for you in the fall. You can pumpkin-up your dog too with raw or cooked pumpkin. They can’t digest the seeds very well, so if you enjoy snacking on dried pumpkin seeds, you don’t have to share them with your pup.
12. Tomatoes
You might have to fence off your tomato plants once your dog gets a taste for them!
©cynoclub/iStock via Getty Images
Dogs can eat plain red tomatoes, whether raw or cooked. The minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants they contain are especially beneficial to dogs’ skin, eyes, and cardiovascular system.
13. Zucchini
Your dog might not know what to do with zucchini at first, but they’ll figure it out.
©Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock.com
Like many vegetables, zucchini is a good source of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants and is a low-calorie choice. Be sure to cook it first as dogs can have problems digesting raw zucchini.
Introducing New Foods
Your dog will thank you for making its dog bowl into a salad bowl.
©MPH Photos/Shutterstock.com
Make sure to introduce any changes to your dog’s diet gradually. This will help your pupper adjust to the change without an upset stomach. And if they are allergic or can’t digest a new food very well, you’ll know which one it is if you’ve only given it one at a time. And as a general rule you want to give your dog fresh fruits and vegetables and well-cooked lean meats. If you start feeding your dog like that you might be the one begging for your dog’s yummy dinner.
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