What Kind of Human Food Can a Dog Eat?

Finding the "right" food for your dog is more important than finding the "best" food.

Dogs Can Eat Most Kinds of People Food

Human food adds variety to your pet's diet.

Most healthy human foods are also healthy for dogs. All meats, some grains (such as oats, rice or barley) and most fruits, tubers and vegetables are good for dogs.

Some Human Foods are Harmful to Dogs

Packaged dog food is nutritionally complete.

Foods that are toxic to dogs include alcohol, anything caffeinated, onions, grapes and raisins, chocolate, mushrooms, avocados and the artificial sweetener xylitol. Even small amounts of a toxic food can cause health or digestive problems. Nutritionally complete packaged foods avoid these ingredients or use them in safe amounts.

Bottom Line

Dogs can be fed many human foods either as a supplement that adds variety to a packaged diet or as a complete meal, as long as you are willing to take the time to prepare a safe and nutritionally balanced diet. Fresh food diets are especially useful for dogs with allergies or health problems that rule out most packaged pet foods.

References

• ASPCA: Animal Poison Control FAQ
• Cooking for Dogs: Lucy's Farm Dog Nutrition Primer
• ASPCA: Top 10 Pet Poisons of 2009
• Common Dog Allergies: Dog Allergies - Food