What Can My Dog Eat? The Ultimate Guide to Your Dog’s Diet: 50 Do’s and Don’ts

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Last Updated: October 29th, 2023

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If you are looking for the answer to the question “What can my dog eat?” and even more importantly “What can’t my dog eat?”, we got the answers.

what can my dog eat? Dog food with raw meat and eggs and veggies

Introduction

Navigating your dog’s nutrition can sometimes feel overwhelming. With an abundance of food choices, understanding what nourishes and what harms is essential. This guide aims to illuminate the paths of dietary wellness for your beloved dog, providing a comprehensive list of foods that embrace and enhance their well-being and those that pose threats to their health.

50 Foods Your Dog Can Enjoy

Proteins for Vitality

From chicken to turkey, and beef to selected fish, providing a variety of lean, cooked, and unseasoned meats ensures a rich supply of essential proteins and amino acids. Organ meats like liver, kidney, and heart can also be incorporated in moderation for a diverse protein profile.

Fruits for Antioxidants

Fruits such as apples, bananas, blueberries, and watermelon, offer refreshing bursts of antioxidants, vitamins, and hydration. Ensure seeds and pits are removed to prevent any choking hazards.

Vegetables for Nutrients

Veggies like carrots, cucumbers, green beans, and sweet potatoes are fantastic, nutrient-dense options. They supply vitamins, fiber, and are overall powerhouse ingredients for a balanced diet.

Grains for Energy

Rice, pasta, quinoa, and oatmeal are excellent grain choices. When cooked and offered plain, they are easy on your dog’s stomach and are a great energy sources.

Extras for Variety

Incorporate variety with extras like plain popcorn, chia seeds, coconut, and seaweed/nori, to give a delightful and unexpected twist to your dog’s meal.

*Each dog is an individual with unique dietary needs and preferences. Introducing foods gradually and observing any reactions ensures that the new additions are well-received by your dog’s system.

dog with one plate of fresh fruit and veggies and a plate of cooked meat in front of him

50 Foods to Keep Away from Your Dog

Toxic Fruits and Vegetables

Grapes, raisins, cherries, and avocado are among the fruits that can cause various complications such as kidney failure or vomiting. Onions, garlic, and chives can cause gastrointestinal distress and harm red blood cells.

Harmful Sweets and Spices

Chocolate, xylitol, and cinnamon are poisonous to dogs and can lead to various symptoms ranging from vomiting to liver failure. Ensure sweets like gum and candies, especially those containing artificial sweeteners like xylitol, are kept out of reach.

Beverages Not Safe For Dogs

Alcohol, coffee, tea, and any beverage containing caffeine can have disastrous effects, causing vomiting, diarrhea, and even death.

Inappropriate Proteins and Dairy

Raw eggs, raw meat, and bacon should be avoided due to the risk of salmonella or other bacterial infections. If you still choose to feed your dog a raw diet, PDSA suggests to always choose a commercially prepared one. This is because commercial suppliers must take precautions to make sure all pet food is packaged correctly to certain hygiene standards, which is especially important with raw food. Companies making complete pet foods will also have to make sure that foods will contain everything your pet needs to stay healthy.

Some other foods and additives to avoid include salt, mushrooms, cooked bones, and fruit pits. Even certain human vitamins and fat trimmings can be dangerous.

Vizsla dog looking at kibble and raw meat in front of him

The Simplified list:

50 Foods Dogs Can Eat

  1. Chicken: Cooked and unseasoned.
  2. Turkey: Cooked and without bones or skin.
  3. Beef: Lean cuts, cooked, and unseasoned.
  4. Fish: Boneless, cooked, and unseasoned like salmon and tuna.
  5. Shrimp: Cleaned and cooked.
  6. Carrots: Raw or cooked.
  7. Blueberries
  8. Apples: Seedless.
  9. Bananas
  10. Watermelon: Seedless.
  11. Cranberries
  12. Raspberries
  13. Strawberries
  14. Pineapple
  15. Pears: Cored.
  16. Pumpkin
  17. Sweet potatoes
  18. Regular Potatoes: Cooked.
  19. Broccoli: In small quantities.
  20. Green Beans
  21. Peas
  22. Cucumbers
  23. Zucchini
  24. Spinach
  25. Brussels Sprouts
  26. Kale
  27. Celery
  28. Cauliflower
  29. Mango: Without the pit.
  30. Oranges: In small quantities.
  31. Peaches: Without the pit.
  32. Plums: Without the pit.
  33. Tomatoes: Ripe.
  34. Carrots
  35. Peas: Green and snow peas.
  36. Rice: Cooked.
  37. Pasta: Cooked plain.
  38. Quinoa
  39. Oatmeal: Cooked and plain.
  40. Barley
  41. Liver: Cooked and in moderation.
  42. Kidney: Cooked.
  43. Heart: Cooked.
  44. Plain Popcorn: Unsalted and unbuttered.
  45. Coconut
  46. Chia Seeds
  47. Seaweed/Nori
  48. Bell Peppers
  49. Cantaloupe
  50. Apricots: Without the pit.

50 Foods Dogs Can’t Eat

  1. Chocolate
  2. Coffee
  3. Caffeine
  4. Grapes
  5. Raisins
  6. Macadamia nuts
  7. Almonds
  8. Garlic
  9. Onions
  10. Chives
  11. Tea
  12. Alcohol
  13. Raw yeast dough
  14. Xylitol (found in gum, candy, baked goods, and toothpaste)
  15. Avocado
  16. Cherries
  17. Mushrooms
  18. Tobacco
  19. Cooked bones
  20. Fruit pits and seeds
  21. Corn on the cob
  22. Milk and other dairy products
  23. Gum
  24. Salt
  25. Bacon and fatty meat
  26. Liver in excessive amounts
  27. Raw eggs
  28. Raw meat and fish
  29. Persimmons, peaches, and plums
  30. Nutmeg
  31. Licorice
  32. Citrus oils
  33. Human vitamins
  34. Lemons and limes
  35. Fat trimmings and bones
  36. Cinnamon
  37. Ice cream
  38. Tofu
  39. Fruits with pits
  40. Old or spoiled food
  41. Yeast
  42. Artificial sweeteners
  43. Tobacco and marijuana
  44. Hops
  45. Hot and spicy foods
  46. Any food with artificial colors, chemicals, and preservatives
  47. Too much fish
  48. Raw potatoes
  49. Apple cores and seeds
  50. Apricot and peach pits
cute dog looking up with a bowl of treats in front of him

Conclusion: What Can My Dog Eat?

Creating a wholesome and safe diet for your dog is a monumental step towards a vibrant, healthy, and happy life. This extensive list is a tool to guide, enhance, and safeguard your dog’s nutritional journey. Knowledge, vigilance, and a sprinkling of culinary experimenting will ensure that your dog thrives. Remember, always consult a veterinarian when in doubt or introducing a new food to your dog’s diet, especially if they have already existing conditions and allergies.

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