Dogs are our furry family members; they live with us through thick and thin and offer us a bond unlike any other. Just think of this scenario, you’re sitting there and about to enjoy your favorite food, your fluffy boy or girl sits and becomes a crying dog and begs for your food. But stop right there! Although dogs are “people” too, they are not human. So, your dog CANNOT eat anything you can. For example, your dog cannot eat chocolate. At Chews Happiness, we want to inform dog lovers about the best treats and functional foods for dogs so they enjoy the longest healthspan possible.
First, let’s talk about common examples of human food that dogs CANNOT eat – EVER! Then, we will review familiar human foods that dogs should eat as little as possible. Finally, we’ll get to foods that actually promote health and wellness.
Toxic Foods for Dogs: WARNING – Keep Your Dogs Away!
Some Foods Should NOT Be In Dog Bowls!
1. Can Dogs Eat Chocolate?
Don’t Try This At Home; Chocolate Is TOXIC to dogs!
As we all know, dogs cannot eat chocolate. This is primarily due to theobromine, which is a component of chocolate and is a molecule similar to caffeine. Theobromine dramatically increases the blood flow inside of a dog’s brain, often causing seizures and even death.
2. Can Dogs Drink Alcohol? Can Dogs Drink Beer?
Since most dogs have lower body weight than the typical human, they can be more sensitive to alcohol toxicity. Of course, the higher the alcohol content of the drink, the more toxic it will be to your dog. For wine, there is the added toxicity associated with grapes, which are quite toxic to dogs.
3. Can Dogs Eat Garlic? Can Dogs Eat Onions?
Just because these healthy and amazing ingredients are good for us, doesn’t mean they are for our furry family members. Ingesting even a small amount could lead to allium toxicity, which is known to damage and rupture blood cells in dogs, potentially leading to death.
4. Can Dogs Drink Coffee?
Similar to chocolate, caffeine is quite toxic to dogs. Though you may find it to be a necessary and enjoyable part of your morning ritual, keep your latte away from your dog because his/her life depends on it!
Dog Sickness & Discomfort: Less Toxic But Common Ingredients
Lavender: A Nice Background, Not So Great as a Dog Treat…
1. Is Lavender Safe for Dogs to Eat?
Dogs may be able to eat tiny quantities of it. However, according to the AKC, it can cause nausea, diarrhea or vomiting.
2. Can Dogs Eat Mint?
Dogs may be able to eat mint in small amounts. However, according to the AKC, mint can upset their stomach and cause diarrhea, nausea or vomiting.
3. Glycerin
Is a nasty ingredient that is used in soap products, as antifreeze, and as a laxative. High concentrations of glycerin, which is often one of the top five ingredients in dog treats as a humectant, can potentially cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
4. Brewer’s Yeast
Is a single-celled organism which is responsible for the fermenting process in beer. It is a by-product of brewing beer and a cheap filler that can cause gastrointestinal issues and gas in dogs.
5. Animal Fat, or Poultry Fat?
A Deer’s Misfortune Should Not Turn Into Your Dog’s Treats…
Believe it or not, there are actually few regulations on animal and poultry fat. It is not unheard of for roadkill or meat from animals that has been euthanized to be used as ingredients in pet food and treats. Think long and hard about ill-defined animal fat ingredients. Of course, you wouldn’t feed products with such ingredients to your dog if you knew the truth.
6. Dog CBD?
CBD is not yet approved as an ingredient for pet treats or pet food and it seems that it will not be in the foreseeable future. The FDA has cracked down on pet treats that contain this not yet approved ingredient. We know CBD products are very popular and that many pet parents feel that their dogs benefit from CBD. However, as reported in Pet Food Industry Magazine on December 2019: The FDA indicated that CBD is not Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) for pet foods due to lack of adequate empirical evidence supporting the safety of its consumption by pets.
7. Can Dogs Eat Carrageenan?
This thickening agent is often used in MANY commercial pet foods. It can cause gastrointestinal issues and inflammation in dogs.
8. Can Dogs Eat Raw Meat?
Looks natural? Perhaps, but NOT So Safe.
It seems very natural to feed your dog a chunk of raw meat. However, nasty bacteria lurks and crawls all over raw meat! According to Pets Web MD, E. coli is found in about 60% of raw meat diets on the market.
9. Cruciferous Vegetables – Can Dogs Eat Broccoli? Can Dogs Eat Kale?
Leafy greens nourish us humans and taste exquisite to those that love vegetables. For dogs, however, they may not be the best choice…They can cause your dog flatulence, GI discomfort, and diarrhea. They also harbor potentially harmful naturally occurring compounds, such as calcium oxalate, which can cause kidney and bladder stones in dogs. In addition, they include other compounds such as isothiocyanates, which can cause your dog severe gastric irritation.
10. Can Dogs Eat Avocados?
You may love it and avocados are oh so healthy for us! However, DO NOT give guacamole to your dog! Avocados contain persin, a dog toxin that can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
11. Can Dogs Eat Potatoes?
Potato Chips Aren’t Fit for Dog Consumption (For Humans?)
Although not typically fatally toxic to dogs, potatoes may not be the best food item for them. In addition to potentially being associated with Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM), raw white potatoes have solanine, which is a chemical compound that is dangerous to dogs. While cooking or baking potatoes reduces the concentration of this compound, it does not eliminate it.
12. Can Dogs Eat Chickpeas?
Chickpeas, lentils, and other legumes, although quite healthy for humans, have been under investigation by the FDA as potentially dangerous to dogs. Over the past few years there have been concerns that these ingredients in products typically marketed grain-free and healthy, could actually cause Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM). In rare circumstances DCM can be fatal to dogs. Although the amount of legumes that your dog may eat in treats probably has a very low probability of causing DCM, why take the chance?
13. Can Dogs Eat Corn?
Corn is full of carbohydrates, can raise your dog’s blood sugar, does not have a high nutritional value, and is not necessarily highly digestible. (Ever notice corn in poop after eating a cob?) Keep in mind, this ingredient is cheap and just because it is inside of your pet food or treat and marketed as “healthy” doesn’t mean it actually is. In fact, corn is actually a cheap filler that dilutes the good stuff inside dog treats or food products.
14. Artificial Preservatives
Make Sure Preservatives Are Natural…
Artificial preservatives can be toxic to your dog! Natural preservatives are typically known to be safe, while artificial preservatives MUST be well-researched. For instance, ethoxyquin is an artificial preservative. It also happens to be a toxic pesticide. This ingredient is used in the manufacturing of rubber as a hardening agent. BHA and BHT are potential carcinogens that represent a threat to your dog’s health and well-being. Other compounds to watch out for include: Propylene glycol, TBHQ and Propyl gallate.
15. Gluten
Gluten is a cheap meat substitute that is less nutritious than meat. It is often used in pet food and treats to inexpensively increase a pet food’s protein content, thus diluting high-quality protein. The protein associated with gluten is less nutritious because unlike meat, which includes complete proteins, gluten does not. Also, as is the case with people, there is evidence that some dogs are sensitive to gluten.
What Can Dogs Eat That Not Only Is Safe, But Also Promotes Their Health?
In the Right Recipe, Strawberries Can be a Healthy Supplement to Your Dog’s Health.
1. Can Dogs Eat Strawberries?
YES, they can! This fruit is just as healthy for them as it is for us humans. Strawberries are a great source of fiber, antioxidants, vitamin C and minerals.
2. Can Dogs Eat Blueberries?
Most Certainly! Blueberries are a terrific source of antioxidants for your dog. Blueberries is a powerhouse full of superfoods. Packed with vitamins A and C, fiber, potassium, and antioxidants such as anthocyanins, blueberries should be an essential part of your pet’s daily wellness routine.
3. Can Dogs Eat Cheese?
Tempted to Share Your Cheese with Your Dog? – All Cheeses are NOT Equally Healthy for Him/Her.
YES! But some cheeses are better than others. And, some cheeses are tastier than others to dogs. Camel Cheese is a rare delicacy across central Asia. It has unique health properties that support canine diabetes management and digestive health. Camel cheese is rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamins C and B1, potassium, iron and calcium. This lactose-free delicacy is also loaded with healthy fats, antioxidants, and potent immune boosters such as immunoglobulins and lactoferrin. In addition to all of these health benefits, as far as we can tell, it is one of the tastiest cheeses to dogs: Camel cheese is to dogs as chocolate is to humans.
4. Can Dogs Eat Turmeric?
Yes, dogs can eat turmeric and it can enhance pet treat flavor! It is a potent superfood herb, turmeric is an antioxidant powerhouse that helps support immune health, gastrointestinal well-being and joint flexibility. It is also an excellent source of iron, manganese, potassium, dietary fiber, and vitamin B6.
5. Can Dogs Eat Chicken?
Unless your dog is allergic or sensitive to chicken, it is a tasty source of easily digestible amino acids, supporting lean muscle mass. Our chickens are free-range, organic, raised without hormones, and sourced safely and ethically from Europe, which has stricter standards for organic foods, animal welfare, and antibiotics use than the USDA.
6. Can Dogs Eat Fish?
Fish can be a yummy, healthy, protein and source of Omega-3’s.
Like humans, dogs have a dietary need of Omega-3’s. Most fish provide an excellent source of healthy Omega-3 fatty acids and protein, supporting healthy skin and coat and muscle maintenance.
Now that you know what dogs can eat and what they can’t, how about you nourish your furry family member with absolute goodness that is rich in proteins, superfoods, antioxidants and anti-inflammatories that are tailored just for your pet to achieve optimal health and wellness?
As you’ve discovered, many dog treat ingredients on the market can cause an upset stomach and other uncomfortable dog ailments. So, why not consider a special functional food for your dog?
A Dog Gift Box of SUPER HEALTHY Barkarons for Your Furry Family Member!!