By Natalie Derrickson
You want the best for your best friend, so it’s important to know the difference between safe-to-share foods and those that can be dangerous when given to your pet.
Proteins
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ensure proteins are fully cooked, as raw food can make your pet and your family sick. Prepare chicken, turkey, lean beef, eggs, and salmon without salt, seasoning, or sauces.
Skip fatty meats and trimmings, as they can irritate stomachs and invite the risk of choking. Exotic fish or fish with hard-to-detect bones can harm the esophagus. Stick with the dog bones sold commercially, as their size and preparation are more suitable for pets than your leftovers.
Fruits
Share apples and watermelon in small, seedless bites with your pet, along with samples of blueberries and bananas. Mixing fruits into their dry food can make it more appealing and help mask medications.
Steer clear of grapes and raisins, which can cause kidney failure, even in small amounts.
Vegetables
Green beans, which are high in fiber, have long been a go-to for pets in need of a slimdown. Carrots and cucumbers can be offered raw and provide a satisfying, cool crunch. Cooked sweet potatoes are a welcome special treat and provide vitamins and fiber for your pet.
Avoid onions, leeks, and chives, which are toxic to pets in all forms.
Grains
Plain cooked rice can help soothe irritated tummies, as can small amounts of plain cooked pasta.
Resist the urge to offer uncooked yeast dough, which can cause bloating and even alcohol toxicity as it ferments in the stomach. Don’t offer store-bought bread, as it may have nuts, seeds, and additives unsafe for your pet.
Fats, sweets, and more
Stick to the basic pet-safe treats like peanut butter and cheese to reward your pet or administer medication.
Chocolate, nuts, and coconut meat and oil are unsafe for pets, causing heart problems and toxicity that can be fatal. Sugar, alcohol, caffeine, and avocado can be toxic to pets and should be avoided at all times.
