Do you know what can dogs NOT eat and why? We’ll cover toxic and dangerous foods for dogs, as well as what do dogs eat and drink and how often should dogs eat (including how much they should eat and how often). It’s the ultimate guide to feeding your dog!
What Can Dogs Not Eat?
What foods are dangerous for dogs?
28 foods to NOT feed your dog:
- Chocolate
- Peanut butter containing the sweetener Xylitol (or anything containing Xylitol)
- Candy
- Gum
- Avocados
- Cherries/cherry pits
- Grapes
- Raisins
- Apple seeds
- Coffee grounds and beans
- Drinks with caffeine
- Chicken bones (and other bones that splinter easily)
- Bacon
- Ham
- Macadamia nuts (avoid nuts altogether)
- Garlic
- Onions (including onion powder), leeks, chives (poisonous to cats, too!)
- Alcohol
- Coconut or coconut water
- Salt
- Sugar
- Cinnamon
- Raw bread dough (yeast)
- Raw eggs
- Blue cheese (or other “moldy” cheeses)
- Uncooked meat (due to Salmonella and E.Coli)
- Tomato plants
- Mushrooms (watch for wild mushrooms in the yard and on walks, too!)
What fruits are bad for dogs?
- Cherries
- Grapes (including raisins)
- Lemons
- Limes
- Grapefruits
What Do Dogs Eat
What do dogs eat and drink?
Along with dog food, dogs can eat also eat some human food.
Even though dogs can eat human food, you should share most of these items in limited quantities. In larger quantities (or if dogs eat them too frequently), they can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and maybe even more serious issues.
Foods Dogs Can Eat
- White rice
- Bread (but NOT bread dough)
- Peanut butter (without Xylitol)
- Milk, cheese, and plain yogurt (small quantities)
- Salmon
- Tuna
- Chicken (plain, boiled)
- Turkey (plain, unseasoned)
- Plain pork (but not bacon or ham due to high salt content)
- Popcorn (plain, without butter or salt)
What fruits can dogs eat?
- Apples
- Blueberries
- Bananas
- Watermelon (without rind or seeds)
- Cantaloupe
- Cranberries
- Mango
- Oranges (not the peel)
- Peaches
- Pears (without the seeds)
- Pineapple
- Raspberries (in very limited quantities)
What vegetables can dogs eat?
- Sweet potatoes
- Pumpkin
- Butternut squash
- Carrots
- Cucumbers
- Green beans
- Broccoli (cut small, in small quantities)
- Brussel sprouts (but can cause gas in large quantities!)
- Celery
- Peas (fresh or frozen)
- Spinach (limited quantities)
What Can Dogs Eat: Human Food
What do dogs eat besides dog food?
Can dogs eat rice?
Dogs can eat plain white rice, without seasoning. In fact, plain white rice is great for dogs experiencing stomach issues. Dogs can also eat plain brown rice — both in limited quantities because they’re high in calories.
Can dogs eat mashed potatoes?
Yes, dogs can eat mashed potatoes (and cooked potatoes), but do not use butter or seasoning. However, potatoes can cause a spike in blood sugar, so do not feed them to a dog with diabetes.
Can dogs eat banana?
Dogs can eat bananas in moderation. While they are great treats full of vitamins like Vitamins C and B6 as well as potassium, they are high in sugar. Only feed bananas to your dog in moderation.
Can dogs eat cucumber?
Yes! Cucumbers make great snacks for dogs because they are low in calories, sodium, and fat.
Can dogs eat yogurt?
Yes, dogs can eat yogurt as long as it is plain, unflavored, and unsweetened. The probiotics can help maintain stomach health and it also contains calcium and protein. However, do not feed your dog yogurt (or any dairy) if they are lactose intolerant.
Can dogs eat ice cream?
Dogs can eat a very small amount of vanilla ice cream. However, be aware that ice cream and other dairy products can lead to gas, bloating, and diarrhea. Also, if your dog is lactose intolerant, don’t feed them ice cream (or other dairy products).
Is peanut butter bad for dogs?
Peanut butter is generally a nice treat for dogs. Just be sure that you’re using a brand that does not contain Xylitol, which is an artificial sweetener that is very toxic to animals.
Is cheese bad for dogs?
Cheese is not bad for dogs, as long as it’s not blue cheese and is given as a treat in moderation.
Can dogs eat bacon?
Dogs can eat bacon in small amounts, but it is not good for them. Because bacon is high in salt and fat, it can contribute to obesity, heart disease, and even pancreatitis in dogs.
Can dogs eat strawberries?
Yes! Dogs can eat strawberries! The fruit is a healthy treat for dogs because they are high in Vitamin C, have antioxidants, are high in fiber, and can even help whiten your dog’s teeth!
Can dogs eat popcorn?
Dogs can eat plain, air-popped popcorn in limited quantities. However, the popcorn kernels can pose a choking hazard, so keep an eye on them. Also, check their teeth after so that they don’t have popcorn stuck in them. Corn is also a common food allergy in dogs, so keep an eye on them for reactions.
Can dogs eat tomatoes?
Dogs can eat ripe tomatoes, but be careful not to feed them leaves, stems, or green tomatoes. These items contain Solanine, which is harmful to pets.
Can dogs eat bread?
Dogs can eat both plain white bread as well as wheat bread in limited quantities. However, dogs cannot eat raw bread dough because the yeast is harmful.
Are peas and carrots good for dogs?
Yes, dogs can eat peas and carrots and they are packed full of vitamins for your dog. However, feed in moderation because they are also higher in sugar.
Can dogs eat kale?
Dogs can eat kale in very small quantities. However, it may be best to avoid it all together because kale contains calcium oxalate, which can cause kidney and bladder issues in your dog.
Can dogs eat squash?
Dogs can eat all varieties of squash, including yellow squash, pumpkin, and butternut squash. Be sure to remove the skin and seeds and cook it (without seasoning) before serving it to your pup!
Can dogs eat blackberries?
Yes! Dogs can eat blackberries and they are even good for your pooch! Blackberries have lots of vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. However, avoid blackberry jams and jellies, as they have too much sugar for your dog.
So, how do dogs eat?
What do dogs eat for breakfast?
Dogs eat dog food or any of the approved human foods for breakfast. There is no need to make a special “breakfast like” meal for your dog.
If you want to occasionally share your breakfast with your dog, try:
- Scrambled eggs
- Omelets
- Plain (unflavored), unsweetened yogurt
- Bananas
- Toast with peanut butter
How often should dogs eat?
How often do dogs eat? If you’re wondering how many times do dogs eat a day, it’s generally twice per day: once in the morning and once in the evening. However, how often should dogs eat a day will depend on their age. For example, puppies may eat 3-5 times each day in smaller amounts.
How much do dogs eat?
If you’re wondering how many cups do dogs eat, it will depend on their size, weight and age. So a small dog (3-6 pounds) may get 1/3-1/2 cup of food at each feeding. A large dog (60 pounds) may get 3 cups of food. Some recommend feeding dogs an additional 1/3 cup for every 10 pounds over 100 pounds.
Puppies may not only need more frequent feedings, but also may need 2-3 times more than you would feed an adult dog.
If your dog is pregnant your nursing, you should always have food and fresh water available so she can eat whenever she wants and how much she wants.
Where do dogs eat?
Where should you feed your dog? Since dogs can be messy with both food and water, you will want to place their food bowls in a food holder, on a mat, or on a floor that can be cleaned easily. Also, dogs can sometimes be territorial over their food, so you may want to put it in a place where they can eat in peace away from kids and other pets.
Understanding what should dogs not eat is as important as understanding what dogs should eat!
- What Can Dogs NOT Eat (and What Dogs CAN Eat) - October 29, 2019