The longing look at your plate, the whine: If you have a dog or cat, chances are your friend has begged for some of what you’re having.
But despite that “feed me” face (yeah, it’s adorable), giving pets people food isn’t always a good idea.
“Many foods that people digest just fine can wreak havoc on a dog’s body, causing severe health problems,” says the American Kennel Club. “On the other hand, some of the foods people eat can be introduced to a dog’s diet and even provide health benefits such as joint strength, better breath and allergy immunity.”
What's more, just because you can feed a specific food to your pet doesn't mean that you should.
For instance, “small amounts of plain bread won’t hurt your dog, but it also won’t provide any health benefits either,” says the AKC. “It has no nutritional value and can really pack on the carbohydrates and calories, just like in people.”
The following lists are not comprehensive and even allowable foods should be given in small quantities. And always check with the vet first, especially if your pal has a pre-existing condition.
Human Food Pets Can Have
- Apples (no seeds)
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Bread
- Carrots (cooked for cats)
- Cashews (in limited amounts)
- Coconut (small amounts)
- Corn (off the cob)
- Eggs (cooked)
- Fish (full cooked, no bones, up to 2x/week)
- Green peas (not canned)
- Honey
- Lean meats, poultry (cooked, no fat or bones)
- Oatmeal
- Peanuts (in moderation)
- Popcorn (unsalted/unbuttered, air popped, fully popped)
- Pumpkin
- Shrimp (fully cooked, no shell)
- Tuna (small amounts, canned in water)
- Watermelon
Human Foods Pets Can’t Have
- Alcohol
- Almonds
- Chocolate
- Cinnamon
- Coffee/tea
- Garlic/onion (and others in that family)
- Grapes/raisins
- Lemons/limes
- Macadamia nuts
- Raw dough
- Xylitol
Human Foods Pets May Be Able to Have
Check for signs of intolerance, such as vomiting or diarrhea
- Avocado (flesh only)
- Dairy (hard cheeses are best; avoid ice cream)
- Deli meats (beware of salt/additives)
- Grains (check for allergies)
- Peanut butter (no salt/sugar/other additives; OK for dogs more than cats)
- Tomatoes
