4 Human Foods Dogs Can Eat That Might Shock You

With their saucer-like eyes and pouty mouths, when you spy your dog over the kitchen counter while you’re in the middle of cooking or across the dining table when eating, it can be hard to resist those puppy-dog eyes staring back at you. Whether you slyly slip them a bit of gravy-coated roast beef from under the table or drop a carrot on the floor while dishing up dinner – even the hardest of us feed our dogs a little bit of human food from time to time. 

However, despite having the best intentions, our food doesn’t always agree with our dogs. Since our canine companions have different digestive systems from us, foods that are safe for us could be harmful or even life-threatening for dogs. Most human foods contain additives and other ingredients that aren’t good for dogs, so, unfortunately, Thanksgiving leftovers don’t always make the best treat for man’s best friend.

On the other hand, many human foods are safe for dogs, some containing much-needed nutrients and health benefits. So, if you’ve ever been eating a Hawaiian pizza with your furry friend hovering nearby and thought to yourself: “Can dogs eat pineapple?” you might be shocked to learn that they can, and it’s good for them in moderation. In this article, we look at the human foods that are safe for dogs to eat – some of which may surprise you! – keep reading to find out more. 

Pineapple 

As we touched upon briefly in the introduction, dogs can eat pineapple in moderation. Since this tropical fruit is one of the favorite household fruits, whether fresh, canned, dried, grilled, or even frozen, there’s a good chance your dog may have already encountered pineapple fruit a few times yet never tasted it. 

Since pineapple is high in sugar and can often leave our own stomachs feeling a little dodgy after eating too much of it, it’s understandable why dog owners might be cautious about letting their beloved pet have a bite of it. However, the fruit does not contain harmful nutrients for dogs, meaning they can enjoy a couple of slices from time to time. 

Unbeknownst to many dog owners, the pineapple fruit contains vitamins and minerals from vitamin C, iron, magnesium, and potassium – all dogs need for a healthy, balanced diet. However, they more commonly get these vitamins and minerals from their specially formulated dog food, so there is no real need to include pineapple in your dog’s diet. 

Yet, there is no harm in giving your furry companion a couple of slices of the fruit once in a blue moon, just if you avoid canned pineapple, which often contains added sugar, and let them snack on it in moderation. If you’d like to learn more about feeding your dog a healthy, balanced diet and the vitamins/minerals involved, consider visiting Native Pet’s blog for more information. 

Native Pet aims to improve the lives of all pets by producing specially formulated nutrition and supplement products like probiotic powder, calming chews, allergy chews, omega oil, and much more. Visit their website to browse their entire catalog of products, read customer reviews, and look at their helpful blog posts that can help answer any of your burning questions, from “Can dogs eat pineapple?” and many more. Or contact them directly for any specific inquiries and see how using their products could help you feed your dog a healthier diet today. 

Peanut Butter 

Another staple in most American households, peanut butter, is another human food that dogs can eat in moderation. And if your pooch seems to magically appear in your kitchen every time they hear the crack of the peanut butter jar – rest assured that your dog is not the only one! Peanut butter quite literally drives dogs nutty; however, there are a few things you need to be aware of before letting your furry friend lick the jar clean! 

Suppose you’re going to give your dog peanut butter. In that case, it must contain no added sugar or sweeteners as these can be highly dangerous for dogs to ingest, especially a sweetener called xylitol. Even eating a tiny amount of this sweetener can be incredibly dangerous for dogs. If you are suspicious that your dog has accidentally ingested some, you should immediately contact a veterinarian or an Animal Poison Control Center. 

Once you’ve checked the label for anything potentially dangerous, you can feed your fluffy friend a little amount of peanut butter by spreading it inside hollow bones or toys, or if they’re spoilt, you could let them lick it straight off the spoon. Ingesting peanut butter from time to time is an excellent way for dogs to increase their protein and healthy fats intake and contains vitamins and minerals like vitamins B, E, and niacin. Yet, it’s important not to let them get too big of a taste for this nutty treat, as too much of it can lead to health issues like obesity, diabetes, or pancreatic problems. 

Watermelon 

Nothing beats biting into a crisp, refreshing piece of watermelon on a beautiful, sunny day, and you might be surprised to learn that it’s not only yourself that can enjoy this cooling summer treat but your furry friend as well! 

So long as you take extra care to remove all the seeds and the rind from the fruit before letting them chow down, the seeds can block their intestines, and the skin can upset their stomach. As most watermelon lovers know, the fruit has a high-water content, making it so refreshing. 

This can be beneficial for keeping your pooch hydrated on a hot day and is also an excellent source of vitamins and minerals like vitamins A, C, and B-6. 

Plain Popcorn 

If you’ve ever had to deal with a furry head in your lap on movie night while snacking on some popcorn, you’ll be pleased to know that you no longer must feel guilty about not sharing with your canine companion. 

So long as the popcorn is plain, it can be a nutritional snack for dogs since it is high in minerals like zinc, magnesium, and phosphorous. Just be careful not to let them eat any of the un-popped kernels, as this can be a choking hazard.