We know what happens: you sit down for a delicious meal at home with the family, and those puppy eyes appear next to you. It can be ever so tempting to drop your pup a little treat from your plate. But can dogs eat human food?
While it’s best not to offer your pup food straight from the table, some human foods are safe as an occasional treat. Unsure what human food is safe for dogs? We’re here to help you figure it out.
Lean Meats
When creating a list of human foods that are good for dogs, naturally lean meats rank highly. Lean meats for dogs include:
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Chicken (boneless)
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Turkey
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Beef (lean cuts like sirloin)
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Lamb
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Whitefish (like cod or haddock)
When preparing any lean meat for your pup, make sure to heat through to kill any bacteria, avoid seasonings, and remove any bones. It’s also a good idea to cut meat into bite-size portions, as meat can be a choking hazard.
Carrots
Some vegetables can be served up raw and cooked for your pup, like carrots. Although it’s usually easier for your dog to eat and digest carrots steamed or boiled. Carrots are full of fiber, vitamins A and K, and antioxidants. Remember to always cut down carrots into small pieces to avoid choking.
Our Grain-Free Cage-Free Chicken Dog Food contains carrots to promote immunity alongside probiotics, high-quality cage-free chicken, and functional superfoods for an extra nutritional boost!
Peanut Butter
So, what other human food can dogs eat?
Peanut butter is a safe food for dogs, but only in moderation. It’s high in fat and calories, so it’s best as an occasional treat of no more than a spoonful at a time to avoid weight gain. In general, any peanut butter that doesn’t contain xylitol should be fine for pups. Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that’s commonly used as a sugar substitute in human foods and is toxic to dogs.
Look for brands that contain only 100% peanut butter with no salt, chocolate, or extra ingredients that are dangerous for dogs. If you see ingredients like preservatives or added sugars, it's best to keep the peanut butter to yourself.
Cooked Eggs
Another people food that’s good for dogs is cooked eggs. Eggs are a fantastic source of protein, vitamins and minerals, and fatty acids. If your pup has medical conditions like diabetes, you should speak to your vet before giving cooked eggs because eggs can affect glucose levels.
You should only give your dog cooked eggs, as raw eggs bring a risk of bacteria such as salmonella. Salmonella can cause symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and fever, and cooking eggs properly kills the bacteria.
Salmon
As we continue to answer your burning questions about what human food is good for dogs, it’s time for salmon to take center stage. Cooked and boneless salmon is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which help to lower inflammation and promote a shiny and healthy coat.
Like eggs, you should always cook salmon properly, as raw salmon can contain a parasite that can cause salmon poisoning disease. This can be fatal for dogs if left untreated. Cooking salmon thoroughly will kill the parasite.
We use Atlantic salmon as the #1 ingredient in our salmon, brown rice, and sweet potato kibble recipe. The high-quality protein supports bones and muscles, and the salmon flavor is ideal for even the pickiest of eaters.
Blueberries
Blueberries are full of antioxidants, low in calories, and bite-sized, perfect for an occasional treat for your furry friend. Most dogs enjoy the sweet taste of blueberries, but as always, introduce any new food gradually.
Just like Jinx's Bone Biscuit Broth, adding ingredients like blueberries and apples can give your dog's food a vitamin boost.
Pineapple
Another popular human food OK for dogs is pineapple. If your pup is anything like ours, they will lap up the sweet and juicy fruit whenever they get the chance. Pineapple is rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Just avoid feeding your pup too much pineapple, as it can lead to an upset tummy. A small piece or two is usually enough for most dogs.
When you serve up pineapple for your furry friend, make sure that it’s peeled and cut into small chunks to prevent choking. Frozen pineapple is also a great way to help your pup beat the heat in the hotter months.
Watermelon
Watermelon can be a safe treat for dogs; just make sure to remove the rind and seeds. On its own, watermelon is low in calories and full of healthy nutrients like vitamins A and C and minerals like potassium.
Blackberries
In moderation, the sweet and juicy fruit can be a healthy treat for your pup. They are low in calories and contain a hit of fiber, vitamins and minerals, and antioxidants. The next time you’re snacking on blackberries, grab a few for your pup too!
Green Peas
Generally speaking, green peas are safe for dogs to eat. They are a low-calorie treat with plenty of good stuff like fiber and vitamins A and C. Keep in mind to only feed your pup fresh or frozen peas, as canned peas are usually packed with salt. Too much salt can be harmful to our pups, leading to dehydration, increased thirst, and kidney problems.
Apples
Sliced apples are a great occasional treat for your pup, as long as you remove the core and seeds. Apples contain nutrients such as vitamins A, C, and K as well as fiber to support a healthy digestive system. This familiar fruit is so full of benefits for our dogs, we use it in almost all of our recipes, including our kibble.
Quick tip: Apple seeds contain a small amount of cyanide, which can be poisonous for dogs in large quantities. So, always remove and double-check for any seeds before feeding to your pup.
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a safe and healthy food for humans and dogs alike. An excellent source of complex carbohydrates, vitamins, and fiber, sweet potatoes are a nutritional powerhouse. The vitamin A in sweet potatoes can even help support your pup’s eye health and immune system.
Cooked sweet potato is best as it’s softer and easier to digest, helping to prevent choking. Don’t feel like cooking? Try any of our kibble recipes, including our bestselling Grass-Fed Beef, Brown Rice & Sweet Potato recipe.
Rice
A classic remedy for an upset stomach in dogs is cooked plain rice. Because rice is bland and easy to digest, it’s often recommended as one of the foods to feed dogs with upset stomachs. Dogs can eat cooked rice alone or with some protein, like chicken. At Jinx, we craft many of our recipes with brown rice, which is a great natural source of fiber for healthy digestion.
Human Foods to Avoid
Now that you know what human foods dogs can eat, let’s explore what dogs can’t eat.
Unfortunately, there are some foods that are toxic to dogs. As pet parents, it’s important for us to learn what’s harmful to our pups and keep them safe. Some human foods can cause an upset stomach, while others contain potentially very toxic ingredients that can be harmful in certain quantities.
Here are some human foods that are toxic or harmful to dogs:
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Chocolate
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Xylitol
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Onions, garlic, and chives
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Macadamia nuts
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Alcohol
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Yeast dough
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Coffee and tea
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Salt
While not toxic, there are some human foods you should avoid giving your pup, such as:
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Raw eggs
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Fat trimmings and bones
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Dairy products
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Raw meat and fish
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Citrus
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Coconut oil and coconut
If you think your pup has ingested anything potentially toxic by accident, contact your vet immediately or call the Pet Poison Helpline at 1-800-213-6680.
Tips on Feeding Pets Human Foods
Certain foods, like blueberries, carrots, and sweet potatoes, are safe for dogs to eat in moderation. Our pups have different digestive systems than us, and their nutritional needs can vary depending on size, age, breed, and activity levels.
A good rule of thumb to follow is that human food or treats shouldn’t make up more than 10% of your pup’s daily caloric intake. Even healthy foods can upset your pup’s tummy or cause an allergic reaction. When offering human food treats, opt for plain, unseasoned foods without any extra ingredients like preservatives or artificial sweeteners.
While occasional human treats can make your pup excitable at family dinners, a complete and balanced diet is essential for your dog’s long-term health. High-quality dog food, like Jinx, is specifically formulated to provide a blend of nutrients for optimal growth, strong teeth and bones, a shiny coat, and overall well-being.
Healthy Ways to Treat Your Dog
If you’re looking to reward good behavior with an edible incentive, opt for high-quality dog treats, like our Beef Jerky Dog Treats. They are low-calorie but packed with flavor, so they are ideal for training and rewarding good behavior.
Playtime, adventures together, and plenty of cuddles can be just as exciting and rewarding for your pup as food treats. Occasional human foods can be a playful extra, but it’s important to prioritize a complete and balanced, high-quality dog food diet.
At Jinx, we're here to upgrade the way you care for your dog by providing holistic nutrition made with thoughtful formulation, real ingredients, and a whole lot of love.