The Top 5 Healthiest Human Foods for Dogs

When it comes to sharing food with your canine companion, there seems to be a common misconception that “dogs shouldn’t have table scraps.” While you shouldn’t be tossing them pieces of everything that you eat, some human foods are great for dogs. With that said, here are the top five healthiest human foods for dogs…

1. Peanut Butter

That’s right, it just so happens that the favorite treat your dog loves to have in their kong is one of the healthiest for them as well. It’s rich in good fats, protein, and vitamins B and E. Plus, it helps to keep their jaws and mouth in good shape because just swallowing it is quite a workout for a dog.

2. Carrots

The beta-carotene and vitamin A in carrots will keep your dog’s coat, nails, and eyesight in great shape. While most dogs aren’t huge fans of raw carrots, you can steam or boil them at a low temperature until they’re soft and mix them in with other foods for a nutritional boost. Dogs that do like raw carrots can have them as great edible fetch sticks.

3. Yogurt

Yogurt is an easily digestible, high-protein food that can help your dog gain lean muscle mass and stay in shape. However, try to avoid flavored yogurts or those that are high in sugar and opt instead for plain and/or unsweetened kinds. If your dog is overweight, it might be best to avoid giving them too much of any form of dairy. If they’ve recently undergone a course of antibiotics or dealt with some form of gastrointestinal illness, you can feed them kefir and other probiotic yogurts to help restore their gut microbe balance.

4. Cheese

Cheese can be a filling and nutritious snack for you to share with your dog, as long as he’s not lactose intolerant! If you’ve never given them cheese before, make sure you start with small servings and monitor them for allergic reactions. In terms of what kind of cheeses to feed them, it’s usually best to avoid exotic and rare cheeses and opt instead for cheddar, mozzarella, or cottage cheese.

5. Chicken (or Salmon)

Both of these are great for dogs because they’re high in proteins and healthy fats, but it’s important to make sure you’re not feeding them any small bones, as they are a choking hazard.

Combine Healthy Snacks with Quality Dog Food

Top-quality dog foods from brands like Applaws only use the best ingredients. Always feed snacks in moderation, as treats alongside a healthy diet. If you have a fussy dog, tempt his appetite with Toppers added to dry food. Applaws bone broth is 100% natural.

Although all of the above human foods are great in moderation, some of them contain lots of calories or sugars, neither of which are good for your dog. Thus, it’s always best to base their diet around a solid dog food and use the above list as a rough guideline of what you should try to share with your dog on occasion.