If you own a pet, you know that every time you eat, your dog sits right next to you in hopes that you’ll share your food. Human food can be safe for dogs if it doesn’t contain toxins. Every pet owner must know which food is and isn’t suitable for your furry friend. This way, you can feed your dog the right foods. Here are some foods you can share with your dogs without hesitation:

• Fish

Just like omega-3 fatty acids benefits humans, it can also help dogs fight inflammation. Fish is also an alternative source of protein for dogs that may be allergic to red meat. Ensure that you cook it well without too much oil and seasoning. Raw fish may contain salmonella and listeria, causing infection for the dog and your family. Clean and pick the bones well before serving them. Fish bones are risky for dogs, as they can lodge in their mouth, throat, and intestines or perforate their organ walls. Choose fish that have lower mercury levels. Ideal fish for dogs include tuna, whitefish, cod, and whiting.

• Meat

Meat is a natural dog-friendly food, as they are carnivores. If you are preparing the meat at home, choose lean ground beef, chuck steak, chicken, turkey, or roast. Ensure that meat is not undercooked or even undercooked. Some dogs may prefer pork and lamb. You can try and observe their preferences and keep changing the meat frequently so that they get to taste different types of meat and simultaneously get a good supply of protein.

• Beans

Beans are an excellent source of protein and fiber. However, soak them well before cooking, as they can be challenging to prepare. Undercooked or raw beans can cause indigestion, gas, and bloating. If you raise your dog as a vegetarian, consult the vet for their daily dose, as a healthy dose of beans may not replace the nutritional needs that meat can supply. Beans like black beans, soybeans, edamame, lima beans, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, and pinto beans are safe for dogs. If you have access to green beans, you can also serve them fresh or cooked. You can flash freeze fresh green beans when in season and serve them when required by thawing them in a microwave.

• Sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes contain multiple beneficial nutrients for your dog, including beta carotene, fiber, and vitamins. You can roast or bake them to make delicious sweet potato treats. However, do not feed them raw sweet potatoes as they are difficult to chew. Your dog may end up swallowing big chunks of sweet potato that can choke them and cause blocks in their intestine. Raw sweet potatoes can also cause indigestion.

• Rice

You can serve your pet dog rice whenever it is part of your household menu. Dogs relish rice, and you can combine it with their favorite meat or vegetable. Avoid rice only if your pup or dog is overweight, as rice is rich in carbs. Cook the rice well in water and avoid seasoning or spices. Start with small quantities of white rice initially. Then, increase the amount if they like it and don’t gain additional weight. While feeding them rice, ensure you combine protein, fiber, and nutrient-rich food so the meal is well-balanced.

Besides these human foods that are safe for dogs, your pets can also have packaged dog food. These options are nutritious and well-balanced.  

• Royal Canin

Royal Canin has been making pet food since 1968, based on a scientific understanding of the health and nutrition of pets. Their food products meet the safety standards of the Association of American Feed Control (AAFCO). They use the heart, liver, lungs, corn, wheat, poultry, and other vital nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA).

• Natural Balance

Natural Balance is a pioneer in the limited ingredient food category for pets. Their specialty ingredients include sweet potatoes, garbanzo beans, green peas, brown rice, oats, venison, lamb, buffalo, bison, duck, salmon, fatty acid oils, and flax seeds. They also have a limited ingredient meal plan for dogs with digestive issues. They test every batch of food they produce and display the results on the website. You can check for the quality of the bag you buy to confirm that your bag is toxin-free.

• Nutro

Nutro has been a natural dog food maker for about 90 years and uses trusted produce to make dry and wet food and treats for dogs and cats. They have about seven meat product flavors and four sublines: Natural Choice, So Simple, Nutro, Ultra, and a Limited Ingredient Diet. You can choose from the various sublines and flavors based on your dog’s food preferences and size. A dog has about 1,700 taste buds, and Nutro’s products cater to their tastes, combining them with the required quantities of proteins, fats, and carbs.

• Just Right

Just Right is a pet food company that allows you to choose the right blend of foods for your pet, depending on their health. Their in-house pet experts guide you in selecting the right food and creating a meal plan. Once you make your payment, the blend you choose is delivered to you every month. You even have the option to print your dog’s photo on the package along with custom feeding amounts and instructions.