Give your dog some peanut butter and watch his tongue go
nuts
Peanut
butter: Giving your dog the occasional tablespoon of unsalted peanut
butter is a treat you can both enjoy. (Just make sure your brand of peanut
butter doesn't contain xylitol.)
It's a great source of protein and healthy fats for dogs, and it's a perfect
photo opportunity for you.
Yogurt:
High in protein and calcium, plain yogurt is an ideal treat for dogs,
especially if your pooch suffers from digestion problems. Make sure you opt for
yogurts that don't contain added sugar or artificial sweeteners.
Oatmeal:
Oatmeal is a good source of fibre, making it great for dogs with bowel
irregularity issues, and it's also safe for dogs with wheat allergies. Before
serving it to your pet, cook the oatmeal and don't add any sugar.
Chicken:
If your dog requires extra protein in his diet, cooked, unseasoned chicken is
an easy addition to his regular food. It also makes a good meal replacement if
you're out of dog food.
Salmon:
Dogs can benefit from omega 3 fatty acids too, so slip some cooked salmon into
the food bowl for a healthier, shinier coat.
Broccoli:
This vitamin-rich vegetable can be a great occasional nutrition boost for dogs.
However, it shouldn't make up more than 10 percent of a dog's diet as it could
cause gastrointestinal irritation.
Pumpkin:
You can serve your dog pumpkin — raw or in a can — as a source of fibre or
vitamin A. It's also a helpful addition to doggie diets if your pooch is
experiencing digestion problems.
Green beans:
Nutritious and low in calories, green beans are a good choice that will load dogs
up with iron and vitamins. Make sure to feed your dog only fresh beans or
canned ones with no added salt.
Carrots:
This vegetable is low in calories and high in fibre and vitamins. Plus,
crunching on carrots can be good for dogs' teeth.
Eggs:
If your pooch needs a protein boost, scramble an occasional egg for a healthy
snack. Eggs are high in protein, but they're also high in fat, so don't give
your pet too many of them. Don't feed raw or undercooked eggs to your dog,
cautions the American Veterinary Medical Association. There's the risk of
contamination from bacteria such as salmonella, and that can make your dog
sick.
Blueberries: A great summer snack for dogs. Just pop them into the freezer for a few hours
and your pup now has a icy treat to cool them down in the heat of summer.
Apples:
Are wonderful crunchy treats for your dog. Apples with the skin on are full of
plant chemicals (phytonutrients) that are thought to be protective against some
types of cancer in humans. They are a source of vitamins A and C and fibre.
Apple seeds, however, contain cyanide so your dog should not be allowed to eat
the core. Though the effects of a few apple seeds will likely not harm your
dog, the deleterious effects can accumulate over time if allowed to eat apple
seeds regularly.
Flax
seeds oil: Is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential fatty
acids that are good for skin and coat. Whole flax seeds are best if ground
right before feeding as this type of fat can go rancid quickly. Flax seed can
also be added to your dog’s diet as a source of fibre. Flax oil is a more
concentrated form of omega- 3 fatty acids without the fibre. Make sure that you
store the oil or seeds in the fridge in an air tight dark container.
Bananas:
Yes. In moderation, bananas are a great low-calorie treat for dogs. They’re
high in potassium, vitamins, biotin, fibre, and copper. They are low in
cholesterol and sodium, but because of their high sugar content, bananas should
be given as a treat, not part of your dog’s regular diet.
Watermelon: Yes. It’s important to remove the rind and seeds first, as they can cause
intestinal blockage, but watermelon is otherwise safe for dogs. It’s full of
vitamin A, B-6, and C, as well as potassium. Watermelon is 92 percent water, so
it’s a great way to keep your dog hydrated on hot summer days.
Strawberries: Yes. Strawberries are full of fibre and vitamin C. Along with that, they also
contain an enzyme that can help whiten your dog’s teeth as he or she eats them.
They are high in sugar though, so be sure to give them in moderation
Oranges: Yes. Small dogs can have up to 1/3 of a full-size orange, while large dogs
can eat the whole thing. While the peel isn’t toxic to them, vets recommend
tossing the peel and just giving your dog the inside of the orange, minus the
seeds, as the peel is much rougher on their digestive systems than the fleshy
inside of the orange.
Pineapple: Yes. A few chunks of pineapple is a great sweet treat for dogs as long as the
prickly outside is removed first. The tropical fruit is full of vitamins,
minerals, and fibre. It also contains bromelain, an enzyme that makes it easier
for dogs to absorb proteins
Cucumbers: Yes. Cucumbers are especially good for overweight dogs, as they hold little
to no carbohydrates, fats, or oils and can even boost energy levels. They’re
loaded with vitamins K, C, and B1, as well as potassium, copper, magnesium, and
biotin.
Celery: Yes. In addition to vitamins A, B, and C, this crunchy green snack contains
the nutrients needed to promote a healthy heart and even fight cancer. As if
that wasn’t enough, celery also known to freshen doggy breath?
Pears: Yes. Pears are a great snack because they’re high in copper, vitamins C and K,
and fibre. It’s been suggested that eating the fruit can reduce the risk of
having a stroke by 50 percent. Just be sure to cut pears into bite-size chunks
and remove the pit and seeds first, as the seeds contain traces of cyanide.
Sweet
potatoes: Yes. Sweet potatoes are packed with nutrients, including fibre,
beta carotene, and vitamins B-6 and C. Just like with regular potatoes, only
give your dog washed, peeled, cooked, and unseasoned sweet potatoes that have cooled
down, and definitely avoid sugary sweet potato pies and casseroles.
Raspberries:
Yes. Raspberries are fine in moderation. They contain antioxidants that are
great for dogs. They’re low in sugar and calories, but high in fibre,
manganese, and vitamin C. Raspberries are especially good for senior dogs
because they have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help take pain and
pressure from joints. However, they do contain slight amounts of the toxin
Xylitol, so limit your dog to less than a cup of raspberries at a time.
Mango: Yes. This sweet summer treat is packed with four, yes four different
vitamins: vitamins A, B6, C, and E. They also have potassium and both
beta-carotene and alpha carotene. Just remember, as with most fruits, to remove
the hard pit first, as it contains small amounts of cyanide and can become a
choking hazard.
Dragon fruit:
There are several varieties of dragon fruit, a member of the cactus family. The
kind of dragon fruit you’re most likely to encounter at a market specializing in
exotic or tropical fruits is the white-fleshed pitahaya. The popular name of
“dragon fruit” refers to the rubbery, spiky petals that decorate the outside
husk of the fruit. Cutting away the outer shell, dragon fruit pulp is safe for
dogs in small amounts.
Guava:
Apple guava, the most common variety of guava sold in markets, isn’t known to
have any adverse effects on dogs.
Kiwi fruit:
Kiwi is another fruit that I completely adore, but even I made the mistake, the
first time I had one, of not completely removing the fuzzy, bristly peel. I
ended up pulling the tiny quills from my tongue and lips for the rest of that
day. Your dog runs the same risk with an unpeeled kiwi. As with any naturally
sweet and juicy fruit, too much kiwi can have adverse effects on her digestive
tract. Peeled and dried kiwi fruit should present no problems as an occasional
treat.
Asparagus:
Is safe for dogs to eat: Vitamins A, B1, B2, C, E, and K. Also contains folate,
iron copper, fibre, manganese, and potassium. Portion size: feed one or two
bite sized pieces. However, if a dog
eats some asparagus fern (the plant) this can cause serious intestinal upset.
Asparagus itself is not bad for dogs though. The sweetener, aspartame is not
toxic to dogs but it can cause some stomach upset.
Lettuce and
Other Leafy Greens: Included are beet greens, green or red leaf lettuce,
radicchio, romaine, spinach, cilantro, dandelion, parsley, kale and Wheat
Grass. These leafy greens contain vitamin C and K, and a host of beneficial
minerals for your dog.
Peas:
Vitamins A, B1, B6, B2, B3, K, and C. Also contains fibre, folate, phosphorus,
protein, magnesium, copper, iron, zinc, and potassium. Portion size: One or two
Sugar snap or snow peas. For regular shelled peas, 1 or 2 tablespoons.
Zucchini:
Vitamins A, C and K. Also contains calcium, potassium, beta-carotene, and
folate. Zucchini is best fed raw or frozen but can also be served cooked.
Portion size: 1 to 2 bite sized pieces.
Parsnips:
Yes, dogs can eat parsnips. In fact, this root vegetable would make a healthy
addition to your dog’s diet. Parsnips are a good source of vitamin C, vitamin
B-6, magnesium and dietary fibre. If
your dog has a taste for parsnips, then there’s really no reason for you to not
feed this vegetable to your dog.
Root and
Fruit-Type Vegetables: Vegetables such as raw carrots, zucchini,
cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, sugar beets, green beans, parsnips, turnips, and
red and green peppers are also valuable sources of nutrients for dogs. Cayenne
pepper is believed to prevent cancer in dogs.
Olives: Fortunately,
olives are among the foods that dogs are allowed to eat. I say “fortunately”,
because canines love olives as treats, once in a while. Some people choose not
to feed them to their pets, but they are considered safe, as long as you
remember to take out the seeds. Black olives and green olives are both alright
for canine consumption if your dog is so inclined, but there are some
guidelines you need to follow.
Aside from always taking the pits out, you may want to start
with a little test, before feeding olives to your pet. Whenever you want to
introduce something new into your dog’s diet, you should give them a small
piece first, in order to see if they like it and if they don’t have a negative
reaction to it. Even though olives are okay for dogs, your particular pet may
hate olives, or it may be allergic to them – you never know, so always check.
Does Olive Consumption Have any Benefits?
The good news is that olives are not only tasty, but they
are also very healthy! They may be small, but they are rich in vitamin K,
vitamin E, and vitamin A, as well as calcium, protein, and antioxidants.
Vitamin K helps in maintaining the health of your pet’s bones while vitamin E
and vitamin A contribute to the health of your pooch’s eyesight and the beauty
of his fur. In addition, they are a great source of monounsaturated fats, which
help lower cholesterol levels.
Any Restrictions, when it comes to Olives?
Something you have to pay attention to is never feed your
dog olives from a can. They are not toxic, you don’t need to rush him to the
hospital if he has one, but they contain a high level of sodium, which can be
detrimental to your pet’s health, in the long-run. Unsalted olives are always
the best option. Also, olives have a pretty high fat content and giving your
dog a fatty diet can lead to pancreatitis.
In conclusion, dogs can eat olives. However, don’t feed
large amount of olives to your pet. A handful of olives is considered too many.
It’s best to give him only in small quantities. If given in excess, it may lead
to stomach discomfort. 1-2 plain olives should be fine to give it to your pooch
occasionally. They make excellent treats when your boy or girl has been an
especially good dog.
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