Safe And Toxic Dog Food List

There are a lot of different dog diets ranging from a commercial kibble diet to a raw diet. And many people ask themselves, which one is best? What is the healthiest diet for my dog? The short answer to that is the one that is most biologically appropriate for your canine companion.

Let’s talk about what foods aka human foods you can safely add into the bowl to make your fur friend's meals more nutritious. Using real foods can add in phytonutrients and antioxidants, that have oh, so many good benefits!

Healthy human foods to feed your dog include:

Apples
Asparagus
Basil
Blueberries
Broccoli
Brussel sprouts
Canned sardines in unsalted water
Cilantro
Coconut
Dill
Eggs (raw or cooked)
Green Peas
Kale
Manuka honey
Meats
Mint
Parsley
Peanut butter
Pumpkin
Quinoa (cooked)
Spinach
Strawberries
Yams/Sweet Potato

On the other hand, there are some foods that we need to be avoided because they can be toxic. As pawrents, we need to know which foods are good healthy options vs which ones are dangerous.

Foods that are toxic to your pet include:

Avocado
Garlic
Chocolate
Cinnamon
Grapes
Ice cream* Even though this is a delicious treat, it contains lots of sugar so it is best not to share with your dog and some dogs have lactose intolerance.
Macadamia nuts
Onions
Raisins

You should never be adding these foods to your pet’s diet or else it can cause major health issues and even fatality.

To go the extra mile with your dog’s health (and your own!) You will want to follow the dirty dozen rule to reduce the number of pesticides and chemicals entering your dog’s body. The dirty dozen rule is the vegetables and fruits that are sprayed the most heavily with pesticides. You don’t have to buy all organic, but you want to make sure if you’re buying any fruits and vegetables on this list that they are organic. You also want to choose meats that are hormone-free, antibiotic-free, etc. Eggs should be free-range and organic as well.

DOGGY Dirty “Dozen” List:

Apples
Bell peppers
Blueberries (because these are a powerhouse food for pets but need to be organic)
Celery
Collards and kale
Cucumbers
Pears
Spinach
Strawberries
Summer squash and zucchini

Make sure to research any foods you aren’t sure about giving to your dog, especially if they are not listed in the healthy dog food list above.

Lambo’s favorite fruits and veggies that I incorporate into his food every week include green peas, parsley, carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, zucchini, eggs, apples, and blueberries. However, mixing up the fruits and veggies you are adding is the best way for them to get a variety of nutrition in.

Each fruit and vegetable offer a different type of antioxidant and phytonutrient that supports optimal health. If you are thinking of changing your pet’s diet, make sure you consult a pet nutritionist or holistic vet to help you do it right.